Lakeland is a city located in Florida renowned for its lakes, parks, and museums. It is also recognized for being the home of Florida Southern College, which houses the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Nevertheless, Lakeland has a few neighborhoods that suffer from high crime rates and violence, rendering them unsafe for residents and visitors alike. Based on my research and the data available, I have compiled a list of the five most dangerous neighborhoods in Lakeland, considering the number of crimes per 100,000 individuals.
1. Lake Beulah
Lake Beulah is a neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the city, close to the intersection of West Memorial Boulevard and South Florida Avenue. It is inhabited by approximately 250 individuals, primarily belonging to the white ethnic group and having a low income.
According to AreaVibes, Lake Beulah experiences a high rate of violent crime, with 3,023 incidents per 100,000 people. This figure is 752% higher than the average for the city of Lakeland and 772% higher than the national average.
The most commonly reported violent offenses in this area include assault, robbery, and murder. Additionally, Lake Beulah has a significant occurrence of property crimes, with a rate of 9,657 incidents per 100,000 people.
This value surpasses the city average by 137% and the national average by 259%. The prevalent types of property crimes observed in this neighborhood are burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
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2. North Lake Wire
North Lake Wire is a neighborhood located in the northwestern part of the city, near the intersection of North Florida Avenue and East Parker Street. It is home to approximately 900 residents, primarily consisting of African Americans and individuals with low income.
According to AreaVibes, North Lake Wire has a high rate of violent crime, with 2,485 crimes per 100,000 people. This rate is 600% higher than the average for Lakeland and 635% higher than the national average. The most prevalent types of violent crimes in this area include robbery, assault, and murder.
In addition to the high rate of violent crime, North Lake Wire also experiences a significant number of property crimes. The property crime rate stands at 8,590 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 122% higher than the city average and 230% higher than the national average. The most common property crimes in this neighborhood are theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
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3. Webster Park South
Webster Park South is a neighborhood located in the northern part of the city, close to the intersection of North Massachusetts Avenue and East Memorial Boulevard. It has a population of approximately 600 residents, with a majority being African American and belonging to low-income households.
According to AreaVibes, Webster Park South has a high rate of violent crime, with 2,301 crimes per 100,000 people. This rate is 549% higher than the average in Lakeland and 587% higher than the national average.
The most frequently occurring violent crimes in this area are assault, robbery, and rape. Additionally, Webster Park South experiences a significant number of property crimes, with a rate of 8,378 crimes per 100,000 people.
This rate is 119% higher than the city average and 226% higher than the national average. The most common property crimes in this area are burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
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4. Paul A Diggs
Paul A Diggs is a neighborhood located in the eastern part of the city, close to the intersection of East Main Street and North Combee Road. It has a population of approximately 2,300 residents, predominantly African American and low-income.
According to AreaVibes, Paul A Diggs experiences a high rate of violent crime, with 1,989 crimes reported per 100,000 people. This rate is 461% higher than the average for Lakeland and 508% higher than the national average.
The most common types of violent crimes in this area include robbery, assault, and murder. Additionally, Paul A Diggs has a significant rate of property crime, with 7,571 crimes reported per 100,000 people.
This rate is 108% higher than the city average and 203% higher than the national average. The most frequent property crimes in this area involve theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
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5. Downtown
Downtown is a central neighborhood in the city, located near Lake Mirror Park. It is home to approximately 1,200 residents, with a majority being white and Hispanic. According to AreaVibes, Downtown experiences a high rate of violent crime, with 1,519 crimes per 100,000 people.
This rate is 328% higher than the average in Lakeland and 388% higher than the national average. The most frequently occurring violent crimes in this area include assault, robbery, and rape.
Additionally, Downtown has a significant property crime rate of 6,720 crimes per 100,000 people. This rate is 95% higher than the city average and 181% higher than the national average. The most common property crimes in this area are theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
Conclusion
Lakeland is a city that offers numerous attractions and opportunities, but it also comes with its fair share of dangers and risks. Certain neighborhoods have a higher likelihood of experiencing crime and violence compared to others, so it is advisable to either avoid them or approach them cautiously.
The aforementioned five neighborhoods are considered among the most hazardous based on available data and sources. However, this does not imply that other neighborhoods are completely safe or that these areas are beyond hope.
Efforts and initiatives may be underway to enhance safety and improve the quality of life in these regions, and there may be kind-hearted individuals and noteworthy establishments within them. Hence, it is crucial to conduct personal research and exercise individual judgment before visiting or residing in any neighborhood in Lakeland.
