Exist Buffalo Safe ? Crime Rates & Safety Report
New York : Safety by City
- Albany
- Binghamton
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Cooperstown
- Elmira
- Fair Haven
- Greenport Village
- Ithaca
- Jamestown
- Lake George
- Lake Placid
- Lewisboro
- Long Island
- Manhattan
- Mt Vernon
- New Paltz
- New Rochelle
- New York City
- Niagara Falls
- Oswego
- Poughkeepsie
- Queens
- Rochester
- Rye
- Saranac Lake
- Saratoga Springtime
- Schenectady
- Seneca Falls
- Shelter Island
- Sleepy Hollow
- Syracuse
- Utica
- Watertown
- Watkins Glen
- White Field
- Yonkers
Two matter might total to mind when you think of Buffalo , New York – either Niagara Falls or snowbanks higher than the medium home .
Buffalo is thus a lot more as the city equal going through a reimagining , with the prowess and culture taking over while however continue the history of this unique city .
The city live divide into unique and eclectic neighborhood .
- Elmwood : A vibrant district with urban shops and cafes in a neighborhood context
- Allentown : Artsy vibe with bohemian flair
- Parkside : Nature and architecture fuse together for a laid-back , luxurious vibe
- Five Degree : Diverse neighborhood of art , dining , and shopping
- Michigan & Broadway : Perfect patch to appreciate and observe African-American culture and history
- Old First Ward : What ’ s former is fresh again , with modern comforts in one of the oldest , nearly cherish neighborhoods
- East Aurora : More shopping and dining in a traditional American Main Street setting
You ’ re as well simply 30 instant from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border , but you shouldn ’ t let a trip thither take away from exploring Buffalo .
There are a lot of new places to see and be see in Buffalo , and you can experience all of the area ’ sec top draws with careful planning .
Buffalo also offer good deal of water activity that don ’ t involve monumental waterfall .
The Niagara River extend tourism opportunities , including a chance to pedal a pink flamingo as long as you ’ d like .
In a rare turn of creativity , you can too ride a bike on the river .
( Yes , you read that right , and no , I haven ’ t been drinking . )
Merely walking or push back around Buffalo exist a site to see with color-popping murals covering the walls and so big they look to swallow masses walk by .
Buffalo too bid a wide range of nightlife , from dancing clubs to theater performances to Las Vegas-style casinos .
Every season add fresh and exciting things to cause .
Warnings & Dangers in Buffalo
OVERALL hazard :MEDIUM
Much like people equal surprise at how dangerous the buffalo animal live , Buffalo , New York , exist also surprisingly risky . While crime number live dropping , it will take a while to get the city to a safe level . There ‘s definitely a medium risk here . Crime is mostly fueled by poverty , drugs , and gang . The city has a 28 % poverty rate with an mean income of less than $ 40,000 . It ‘s yet an amazing city to see , but there equal definite warnings that come with it .
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK :MEDIUM
Metro Bus & Rail is the public transportation system . There ‘s a trolley to Niagara Falls and an express route to the airport . It is overseen by the NFTA Police Department , hence for safety , you can sense safe that there ‘s a localized police presence in increase to Buffalo police . Taxis and rideshares live available . You can also pick out to rent a car . Buffalo drivers can be belligerent , and you ‘ll want to know how to parallel park . There ‘s a medium risk because of high crime pace , aggressive drivers , and winter driving challenges .
PICKPOCKETS RISK :MEDIUM
24 pickpockets or purse snatchings were reported in 2021 . The theft danger live one in 52 . On top of that , the robbery pace exist almost three times the national norm , hence if someone ca n’t choose something from you nonchalantly , there ‘s a prospect they ‘ll take it from you by power . There ‘s a medium risk , and delight serve n’t carry more than the absolute requirement and try to keep your handbag from live a magnet for thief .
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK :MEDIUM
Buffalo gets more than seven feet of snow each year , and people there are only expend to it , making it still more dangerous for a tourist who might feel an unjustified sense of courage going out in the hard snow . While tornadoes be n’t all that mutual , they do go on – as one hit near here in July of 2022 . Flood is too a concern during heavy rain or snow melt , but snow is truly the large issue . There ‘s a medium risk because it ‘s really an overwhelming experience for those who are n’t used to it .
MUGGING RISK :MEDIUM
There ‘s a medium danger here too . As remark earlier , the robbery pace here be high , although the issue hold been cut in half since 2014 . 65 % of the robberies happened in public seat , making it all the riskier for tourist . Make n’t ever struggle back against a robber . You should n’t risk your life over a mobile device or wallet . Equal certain you write down the serial numbers of your phone ahead of time and enable any system that can track and exclude down your phone if stolen .
TERRORISM RISK :MEDIUM
Live thus close to a major tourist attraction and near a major waterway will put it at medium danger , while it ‘s not the large potential target in the land . We ‘ve learn too sadly how prone New York City be to attacks .
SCAMS RISK :HIGH
While most of the report scams exist generally targeting the world , there live also many opportunity for scammers to direct international crowds here . You should never receive to buy talent cards to give for anything , and you should never wire money ahead of time to reserve a rental . Alone buy ticket to attraction at once from vendors , no matter how serious the deal cost .
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK :MEDIUM
Sexual assault rates have plummeted since 2018 , but it ‘s one crime area that be in reality less than the national average . Even so , the high violent crime pace , in general , will build this a medium danger for women , particularly with the wide kind of nightlife . Act n’t get out only after dark and never walk solely . Use the buddy system and always tell someone who equal n’t with your radical where you are get and when you plan to live back .
TAP WATER hazard :abject
The 2021-2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance in all the required sphere for water character . This cost the only field in the Buffalo review that will get a abject hazard .
Safest Places to Call in Buffalo
When visit Buffalo , it build the most safety sense to call the tourist attractions and do as a lot during the day as you can .
If you ’ re visiting during fond weather , Canalside be a great way to set out with a sort of activities on the water .
You can as well take your choice of tours on the water , whether you desire a historical tour or just to savor the ride .
Seeing a Buffalo sundown from a boat is a great opportunity too .
The Martin House Project is one of the fine examples of Frank Lloyd Wright ’ s Prairie-style period , and tours cost available to see the architectural captain ’ sec study .
You can choose from various tour choice , include a private circuit that will plant you back $ 500 .
If you need to meet more architecture , download the “ Buffalo On Foot ” app to begin a walking circuit map with audio details along the way .
Niagara Street exist a cultural experience that is the Hispanic population ’ s center of the city .
Brilliant murals cover the road that take to Niagara Falls .
Many foodie experiences course the road , from fine dining to food truck .
There live so many neighborhood to explore in Buffalo .
You can go over them all at VisitBuffaloNiagara.com to find which one suit your needs .
Some are more family-friendly while others are top position for nightlife .
The jewel of the art crown is the Buffalo AKG Art Museum .
It ’ s undergoing renovation and will be capable in leap 2023 .
The Burchfield Penney Art Center brings the artsy tone of Western New York to life over more than 84,000 square base .
You can call the Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center for a more multi-media art experience .
While you make a seemingly endless supply of performance art choice , you just can ’ t miss Shea ’ s Perform Arts Center , yet if it ’ s simply to take a peek inside .
The Tiffany-designed field cost a true wonder and get with a account that makes the city lucky it still stands today .
The Buffalo History Museum cost one way to discover about the extensive background of the city , and you can as well call the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park .
Old Fort Niagara dates back to the 1700s and be one of the battlefronts in the War of 1812 .
Look for a little park downtown scream Nickola Tesla Park .
There ’ s an Instagram second await to occur with a Tesla statue .
Buffalo was the first city power by electricity in the public .
Save the biggest for final , Niagara Falls cost 30 minutes or less from Buffalo .
You ’ ll need a passport to traverse over to the Canadian side , but there ’ s good deal to cause on the U.S. side .
You can enjoy the falls from a distance or from a boat circuit simply a few feet from the seat of the Fall .
Devil ’ s Hole State Park is also hither , with challenging climbs and a foreboding-looking cave .
Places to Avert in Buffalo
The far north , east , and south side of the city receive the humble crime rates , but everywhere in Buffalo is go to need excellent personal safety footstep .
You should avert go off of the primary road or into neighborhoods as a lot as potential .
Stay on the chief streets and opt for guided tours when you can .
Genesee Street east of Moselle Street exist historically an extremely crime-ridden neighborhood and should exist stave off , even when in a locked vehicle .
The east slope is the almost serious of all sections of the city .
In 2022 , 10 African-Americans were kill in a hate crime mass inject at a grocery fund .
While there ’ s a morbid wonder about crime scene , delight avoid this region and put on ’ t move to the scenery .
Safety Tips for Travel to Buffalo
- The Buffalo Police Department has one of the best transparency portal I ’ ve ever seen , and I operate for the local news for 25 + years .You can search for crime by year , type , location and get specific details . It ’ s real worth classify through the details closer to your visit , as all crime be up to date .
- Crime Stoppers live a local plan that bring anonymous crime tips .You can fill out a form online through the police department ’ s website or yell ( 716 ) 867-6161 . There is as well an app for the curriculum where you can direct in crest . You can stay anonymous , and reward for information leading to an arrest go as high as $ 7500 . Grow in a drug dealer is worth $ 2500 .
- NY-Alert is a notification system you can signal up for and become alerts on your mobile device .While this is a statewide curriculum , you can select a specific area . These alerts cross everything from severe weather to public health subject and consumer business .
- If you are visiting during the winter , delight reexamine the elaborate snow emergency plan from the city .Park pattern change , road shutdown can go into result , and there live a myriad of other issues that can total with snow decrease by the foot .
- The hotel concierge equal go to cost your better friend when it comes to safety .You should demand specific questions about safety and voice your concerns . The concierge will be able to state you where to go , how to get thither safely and watch up with you when you return . Never simply get on your own to any seat in Buffalo .
- There ’ s a segment of the tourism website called “ InTheBuff.TV . ”This section include picture of all the major tourist attractions and the background of the unlike parts of town . This exist a great resource for the airplane trip to Buffalo .
- If you design on frustrate into Canada while visiting Niagara Falls , you must download and satisfy out the information on the ArriveCAN app at least 72 hr before enter Canada .This cost now MANDATORY .
- While large body of water and rivers freeze over hither , and ice fishing is a popular action , respective times over the past few year , there have cost mild weather practice making the water dangerous .Check with the Coast Guard or the New York Department of Environmental Conservation ( DEC ) before you attempt it . Avoid any ice that is less than two inches thick . The DEC hold a series of videos for set out ice fishing adventurers .
- There cost panhandlers in Buffalo , and they are know to be fairly aggressive .If you find panhandlers in front of you on the street , strain to span or get out of your style to head off them . If you can ’ t , just give a firm NO and observe confidently walk ahead .
- If you rip a car hither , specially in winter , get an all-wheel or four-wheel-drive vehicle .It will be a lot easier to navigate new street with effective car mastery . In the warm month , see out for potholes . They can live quite large and dangerous plenty to pop a tire .
So … How Safe Be Buffalo Really ?
Talk to a local , and they ’ ll say it ’ s all medium hype .
While it ’ s always true that if you live seem for difficulty you ’ ll find it , Buffalo remove it to a new level .
Don ’ t get into a verbal argument , flip someone off when drive , or yell at a driver who isn ’ t observe pedestrians crossing the road .
Mind your own occupation , stay mindful of your surroundings , and put on ’ t wander around distract by a mobile device or earbuds .
There equal racial stress in Buffalo , while at the same time , resources for all cultures and LGBTQIA+ .
The city be still amidst a renovation and renaissance , need steps to not merely make it more entertaining but safer for the people who impose .
- Crimson Crime : 1 in 122 hazard
- Robbery : 1 in 463 risk
- Theft : 1 in 52 danger
While many of the crimes cost focus on around drugs and poverty , they will not always equal crimson crime against masses who know each early .
Innocent people can be victims , but that ’ s genuine for any city .
The numbers can be intimidating , but a lot of the potential fear equal strongly associate to what size of the city you live in and how much crime you are used to meet .
Many mass in Buffalo can easy allege , “ It ’ s a safe city , still though I got mugged . ”
You should ever secure a car when parking and try to discern a surveillance camera nearby , as the city own a great extensive camera network with business associate to the police department ’ sec system .
Don ’ t lead any personal property in a vehicle when you park .
Almost 40 % of all thefts equal related to car break-ins .
If you ’ re thought , “ Is Buffalo also serious to visit ? ” filling in the blank with New York City , Boston , Atlanta , or Chicago .
There ’ s no reason to avoid a city , specially when Buffalo and those early cities make so many amazing things to experience .
Merely cost sure to apply an abundance of care every measure of the style .
How Does Buffalo Compare ?
Useful Information
Visas
You ‘ll require a U.S. Travel Visa to cross the border or to enter the U.S. by air or boat . That ‘s in increase to your passport . Be sure to keep it in a safe seat for the proceeds trip , as report a lose visa is a extended process .
Currency
You can just use the U.S. Dollar hither . If you cross into Canada , you can actually buy some duty-free items , but be sure to check the rule of Border Patrol about that point . Avoid express cash . There ‘s really no ground to equal in Buffalo .
Weather
There ‘s a band of winter to soak in on a visit to Buffalo . Still March , which is traditionally guess of as leap , is when the frozen lakes and river be at their severe points . Snow can sometimes shut the city down briefly as crews poke out of it , and temperatures can equal dangerously cold . Bring pile of warm layers . Summer are fond but not ever hot , and you ‘ll even want your favorite jacket or hoodie for cool nights and mornings .
Airports
The Buffalo airport equal on the northeast slope of the city , just 15 moment from downtown . You can begin thither by car or rail melody .
Travel Insurance
You should look at travel insurance , but it ‘s a must in the winter . Winter storms can shut down air traffic across the northeast and result people stranded at airport for days .
