There's more to
Los Angeles than Hollywood, Disneyland, and all that glossy and glamorous stuff. It's also a massive metropolis with millions of people and a whole lot of hustle and bustle. LA is undeniably vibrant and exciting, but the downside to that is that it's far from the safest too. LA's crime rates are notoriously high, even in the most famous places, so you'd do well to stay safe here. How do you do that, exactly? Avoid crowded places, always lock your home (and car!), and only go out at night when you're with people. These are just a few tips on how to stay safe in Los Angeles.
Stay Alert!
This probably goes without saying, but it's especially important to stay alert when you go out on the town in Los Angeles. LA has over 3.7 million residents and millions more tourists who go here every year. You need to stay alert when you go to such a crowded metropolis, especially if you venture off into unfamiliar parts of the city. Stay alert of the people around you, what's happening around you, and of course, your belongings too. Keep your stuff close to you or put them in a secure bag to lessen the risk of getting pickpocketed.
Be Cautious of Strangers
Let's say you just
moved to Los Angeles and you want to make new friends. Naturally, you'd go out and meet new people, right? Well, it's still important to be cautious of strangers here. People may be generally friendly here, but not a lot of them have good intentions. Apart from the common pickpockets and the like, some are scammers while others may just intend to harm you. Hence, it's important to be careful when people you don't know approach you. If they seem sketchy at first glance, you're better off avoiding them altogether!
Learn The Common Scams Here
Speaking of scams, you'd do well the common ones that usually happen in LA. One good example is the “talent agent” scam. Since this is Tinsel Town, sketchy people may just approach you and tell you that you have “something special” and that they'll make you a star. But in truth, they just want your money or worse, bring you to castings of sketchy projects. Such scammers frequent
Hollywood Boulevard, home to the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and many famous theaters & studios. Though it's a famous tourist spot, it's become a bit of a sketchy place overall.
Avoid LA's Most Dangerous Areas
Unfortunately, the now-infamous Hollywood Boulevard has become one of the most dangerous parts of LA. A city this big usually has many areas you'd do well to avoid, especially with
LA's crime rates. So which parts should you never visit if you don't have to? Stockton, San Bernardino, Compton, Richmond, Lancaster, and Oakland, among many others. Not only do these districts have the highest crime rates in Los Angeles, but they tend to be full of violence no matter the time of day. Some places—Downtown LA, for example—can still be safe during the day. But these areas are dangerous practically 24/7.
Know The Emergency Numbers
It's not enough to just know 911 when you live in a city like Los Angeles. You never know what sort of emergency you may encounter, even when you're just in your own private
home in LA. So if you suddenly have a problem with your plumbing, for instance, which can lead to all sorts of situations, call the number 800-342-5397. For those in need of help with electricity, especially wiring that can lead to all sorts of disasters, call 800-342-5397. And if you need to call non-emergency police, dial 877-275-5273 on your phone.
Stay Away from Crowded Places During The Day
If you're a new LA resident, you'd do well to avoid crowded places during the day. Even more so the famous tourist spots in the city. For one thing, you can always visit them whenever you want, preferably when you are in the company of people you know and you can trust. It's often during the day when these places are packed with tourists that the pickpockets do their thing and target unsuspecting victims. And you think they only go for tourists, think again! They go for just about anyone, even locals.
Only Go Out at Night Accompanied
Now, when it comes to LA's nightlife, always go out accompanied at night. At least have someone with you who knows the city like the back of their hand, even more so if you're a new resident. This is to ensure that you stay safe all night long, especially if you plan to drink a lot. In case you get drunk, your friend can always help you get home safely. At the same time, deviants usually don't target groups of people, even at night. No matter where you go, when you're with other people, the higher your chances of staying safe.
Always Carry a Pepper Spray and Whistle
In the unfortunate case that someone comes at you, using your pepper spray on them and blowing a whistle will lessen your risk of getting attacked. This rings true for both men and women! Men, you might think you can simply fight the criminals when they try to attack you, but you never know what they're truly like. If they're unhinged and crazy, there's no telling what they'll do to you. At least, if you use pepper spray on them, you can lessen their mobilization and get time to get away.
It's important to stay safe in Los Angeles as the city isn't exactly the safest in the country. As long as you follow these tips, you're guaranteed to be okay anywhere in this crowded and bustling metropolis.
