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Where Violent Crimes Happen: Exploring Crime Maps for Safer Living

CEO Quynh FLower

At Trulia, our mission is to help you find the perfect place to live without the fear of moving to a dangerous neighborhood. We've delved into the seedy underworld of crime to provide you with...

At Trulia, our mission is to help you find the perfect place to live without the fear of moving to a dangerous neighborhood. We've delved into the seedy underworld of crime to provide you with valuable insights that go beyond the traditional heat maps. Our latest feature, Crime Maps, not only shows crime density but also the ratio of violent-to-nonviolent crimes. Let's take a closer look at some cities and uncover the truth behind their reputations.

San Francisco: Debunking Stereotypes

When it comes to crime in San Francisco, most people assume that the Tenderloin neighborhood is the epicenter of danger. However, our Crime Maps reveal a different story. While the Tenderloin does have a high crime density, it's not the area with the highest proportion of violent crimes. Surprisingly, Hunters Point, located in the southeast part of the city, experiences fewer incidents overall but has a higher incidence of violent crimes such as fights, shootings, and assaults.

Caption: Exploring the violent-to-nonviolent crime ratio in San Francisco reveals surprising insights.

Chicago: Unveiling the Seedy Suburbs

Let's shift our focus to the Windy City, specifically Chicago's downtown area. At first glance, the Crime Maps might lead you to believe that it's a crime-ridden place. However, upon closer inspection, we discover that the reported crimes downtown are mostly nonviolent, targeting department stores and cars. The real danger lies in the suburbs outside the city, where a higher proportion of violent crimes occur.

Caption: Chicago's downtown appears relatively safe compared to its surrounding suburbs.

UC Berkeley: Challenging Perceptions

Moving on to the UC Berkeley campus, we encounter interesting findings. Despite its association with partying, Berkeley seems to have more reported incidents compared to its neighboring city, Oakland, known for its dangerous reputation. However, a closer look reveals that most of the incidents in Berkeley are related to parties rather than violent crime. In fact, areas surrounding Frat Row and the dorms are the trouble spots. On the other hand, West and East Oakland present a higher risk, making Berkeley appear safer in comparison.

Caption: UC Berkeley's crime incidents are largely party-related, whereas Oakland faces higher levels of violence.

Remember, our Crime Maps are an invaluable tool when searching for a new home. By providing insights into both crime density and the ratio of violent-to-nonviolent crimes, we empower you to make informed decisions about where to live. We believe that safety is paramount, and we're continuously improving our features to deliver even more comprehensive information.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your feedback is crucial in our ongoing mission to create a safer living environment for everyone.

Side Note: We would like to express our gratitude to Michal Migurski at Stamen for his early experimentation, which has greatly influenced the development of our heat maps. Are you passionate about data and innovation? Join our team! We'd love to have you onboard.

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