Safety in New Orleans....

I am a little taken back by the posts,the guidebooks,and word of mouth I have heard again and again mentioning safety and to make sure you take cabs at nights and dont walk at night. Is this a big concern here? I have traveled to Maimi NYC,London,Amsterdam,ect and have never heard it metioned as much.

Is this just a coincincince or a real concern I should have as a first time visitor.

Safety in New Orleans....

I think it is a little overkill involved here. I walk everywhere at all hours and have never had a problem (just thinking goes a long ways, if you see a deserted dark alley that looks dangerous..don%26#39;t go there, stay with the crowds which are every where). There are numerous threads where we have went into this.

Safety in New Orleans....

Definite overkill. Stay smart and alert just as in any other city and you will be fine.

I wouldn%26#39;t walk aroun dark streets in Miami, New York, London, or Amsterdam either. It%26#39;s just common sense in ANY big ciy to use those kinds of precautions.

Also keep in mind that New Orleans is nowhere as large or busy as some central areas of places like New York CIty and London, where you would find thousands of people on the streets at all hours. Leaving a club on the edge of the French Quarter at 2:00 in the morning can be a bit more isolated than walking out of a bar in. )the East Village at the same time. :)

Do you walk dark streets at night in Philly? If you use common street smarts, you will be fine. In New Orleans, the area can change from good to bad in a couple of blocks. The big mistake people make, IMHO, is staying in a hotel in the Central Business District and then walking to/from the French Quarter. The CBD is mostly deserted after 7:00 PM and you could be a target. If your hotel is on the other side of Canal Street, be safe and take a cab.

I may be fried for saying this but in defense of the OP, I agree that crime in New Orleans is mentioned A LOT compared to other cities in the world. I have read that you should not visit one of the cemeteries in New orleans with at least 2 others, or, better yet, on a tour, for safety reasons. I have also read that we even have to watch our backs while walking around the French Quarter and not to do so alone. Pick up a guide book for many cities in the world and the warnings aren%26#39;t near what they are in New Orleans.

That being said, I am looking forward to my trip in 3 days! I loved New Orleans when I visited years ago and I am looking forward to returning to visit this city filled with wonderful people, food and adventure!

Thanks for all your responses and ofcourse I would exercise the same caution I would in any other city and my own..I was just a little concerned to see it mentioned so much.

I cant wait to explore this wonderful city!

I have to agree with the other posters, use common sense as you would anywhere. I%26#39;ve never felt unsafe in New Orleans, even have though I have been the victim of a purse snatching crime back in the 80%26#39;s. (My fault, late at night, parking lot at Saenger Theatre which was at N. Rampart St., right across from the projects).

The most common crime against tourists in New Orleans is pick pockets, purse snatchings, grabbing camera%26#39;s etc. (Same as any other large cities, but you%26#39;ve got more of an alcohol influence in New Orleans that makes one less cautious and less aware) I%26#39;ve learned since that time, never put all my eggs in one place, i.e., my purse, hubby%26#39;s wallet, etc. Carry enough cash for that particular outing when you leave the room. Never carry all your credit/debit cards and such with you. Place wallets in pockets that are less suspectible to be lifted, carry purses/cameras you can hold close to the body, not ones that dangle on straps. Use inside buttoned or zippered pockets to carry your ID, cash, cards. Ladies, use your purse for that lipstick and powder to freshen up, but don%26#39;t carry what you don%26#39;t want to lose and what you can%26#39;t run down to Walgreens (or dept store) and pick up for a quick replacement. BTW, fanny packs are easily lifted too and backpacks are very easy to get into and lift items.

You also hear on this board, to stay with the crowds, that%26#39;s true, but it%26#39;s also true that pick pockets work better in a crowd, so beware of being bumped or by someone trying to distract you. Those that grab purses and cameras and run are usually in more isolated areas.

There are a number of sites that provide advice on how to avoid being a victim of this type of crime. Some tips, walk at a steady pace, look like you know where you%26#39;re going, don%26#39;t amble along looking at maps (do that before leaving a secure environment such as your room), by all means don%26#39;t wear that T-shirt that screams tourist, blend in, look like you belong, don%26#39;t flaunt your cash, use care at ATM%26#39;s, take advantage of hotel safes. Finally, make sure to keep a list of all the numbers of your credit cards and the numbers to contact them just in case. Imagine losing all of this on day 2 of a 7 day vacation and not having the means to contact the companies and have the cards cancelled.

IrishFan and Zymst said it all-COMMON SENSE

Remember CW how so many were saying that New Orleans was sooo.. unsafe after the hurricane. Overkill... making it sound worse than it actually is.

Do not be intimidated by what you have heard. The FQ is generally safe if you heed the precautions stated above. Just be alert and AWARE of your surroundings.

I was followed by a pick pocket on Bourbon St. one night, (just the two of us, not a crowd, (I could just ';feel'; him on my hip), I backed up against the wall and let him pass (not without a few choice words).

Stay in the lighted areas and:

If in doubt - TAKE A CAB.