California is renowned for its pleasant climate, rich cultural diversity, and breathtaking scenery. However, not every area in the Golden State is tranquil and safe. Four locations in California were included in the top 25 most dangerous places in the United States, according to a list published by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking was based on the number of homicides and property-related offenses that happened between 2022 and 2023. These are the four places and the reasons that both tourists and locals find them dangerous.
Bakersfield
The most deadly town in California is Bakersfield, which ranks as the fourth most dangerous town nationwide. Bakersfield, a town in the San Joaquin Valley, is known for its agricultural, country music, and oil industry heritage. Nevertheless, with 1,298.3 violent crime events per 100,000 residents in 2020, it also has a high rate of violent crime. The following are a few of the elements that fuel Bakersfield’s crime problem: drug trafficking, gang activity, unemployment, and poverty.
Stockton
In the United States, Stockton ranks 12th, and in California, it is ranked second most hazardous town. Stockton, a port city with a diversified population and rich cultural legacy, is located on the San Joaquin River. But it also faces economic and social problems like unemployment, homelessness, poverty, and low educational achievement. These problems contribute to Stockton’s high rates of property crime and violent crime, which were 3,387.8 and 1,065.8 per 100,000 residents, respectively, in 2020.
Fresno
Third most dangerous in California, and seventeenth most dangerous in the United States, is Fresno. Fresno, the biggest city in the Central Valley, serves as a significant center for trade, education, and agriculture. It also has to deal with a lot of urban issues like segregation, poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunities. These elements play a part in Fresno’s high crime rates, which were 2,314.8 property crimes and 797.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020.
San Francisco
San Francisco ranks fourth in California and twentyth in the US for level of hazard. San Francisco, one of the most recognizable and well-liked cities in the world, draws millions of visitors and locals with its landmarks, innovative culture, and innovative lifestyle.
But it also has a negative side, with a high incidence of theft and burglary among other property crimes. San Francisco ranked first out of 182 cities by U.S. News & World Report2 in 2020 with 5,118.9 property crimes per 100,000 residents. In 2020, there were 654.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in San Francisco as well.
Conclusion
California is home to some of the nation’s most dangerous towns, despite the state’s many alluring tourist and residential attractions. According to U.S. News & World Report, the top 25 US towns with the highest rates of violent crime and property crime include Bakersfield, Stockton, Fresno, and San Francisco. These towns deal with a number of social and economic issues, such as homelessness, drug addiction, unemployment, and poverty, which all contribute to their criminality issues. Both tourists and locals in these towns should be mindful of the dangers and take safety measures to guard their personal items.
