If you’ve been dreaming of visiting the Windy City, likelihood is it has crossed your thoughts to marvel, “Is Chicago safe?”
I’m from Chicago, and I’ve to acknowledge that it is a robust query to reply. The actuality is that Chicago’s general violent crime statistics are comparatively excessive in comparison with different US cities and even different nations.
Most of those crimes occur in particular components of the town, often on the South and West Sides. Although Chicago is my hometown, I don’t really feel certified to dive into specifics, as a result of that may require a full dialogue of the town’s advanced historical past and social and cultural dynamics.
However, I can say that Chicago stays a secure place for solo feminine vacationers, particularly with these security suggestions in thoughts:
1. Get conversant in Chicago’s neighborhoods
Chicago has over 77 distinctive neighborhoods, a lot of which make a superb base for getting essentially the most out of the town. My absolute favourite factor in regards to the Windy City is the quantity of cultural variety, which you’ll discover as you discover these neighborhoods.
When venturing exterior of the Loop or no matter neighborhood you’re staying in, have a plan for the place you’ll go and the way you’ll get there. Some neighborhoods aren’t one of the best for taking a leisurely stroll round, as sure pockets of the South and West Sides are liable to violence and gang exercise. Typically, there aren’t any vacationer points of interest in these locations, although, so that you’re unlikely to go to them anyway.
However, in the event you do wish to enterprise to the South or West Side, simply be sure you have a vacation spot versus strolling aimlessly. For instance, you may wish to try the Garfield Park Conservatory, because it’s one of many finest free issues to do in Chicago. If you aren’t conversant in Garfield Park previous to visiting the conservatory, I don’t suggest exploring this neighborhood on foot.
2. Stay conscious of your environment
Like any large metropolis, it’s essential to remain conscious of your environment when exploring Chicago. Don’t stroll round with headphones or earphones, as you gained’t be capable of hear any potential security threats. Imagine not listening to an ambulance coming towards you as you cross the road — yikes. You may see Chicagoans strolling with headphones or earphones, nevertheless it’s not a good suggestion.
3. Don’t have interaction with catcallers
Although I really feel like catcalling is much less frequent in Chicago than it’s in different cities around the globe, it nonetheless occurs. Sometimes being catcalled fills me with rage. Can you relate? Even although at occasions I really feel feisty and wish to fireplace one thing again, it’s not a good suggestion.
Catcallers may be unpredictable in how they’ll react to your response and will grow to be violent. Just ignore them and don’t make eye contact. Chances are they’ll depart you alone in the event you keep impartial. Clapping again simply isn’t definitely worth the danger.
4. Don’t battle again
If you do have the unlucky circumstances of being robbed or pickpocketed, don’t try and get well your belongings from the thief, and don’t attempt to battle again. You don’t know if they’re armed or how violent they might be. As irritating and scary as it could be to be robbed, it’s essential to cooperate and provides them what they ask for.
If you possibly can, put house between your pockets and your self by tossing it in one other path. This also needs to put house between you and the assailant, so you may make your escape and get assist. Usually, they simply need your issues and can go after them as a substitute of you.
5. If you see one thing, say one thing
Hopefully, you gained’t be a sufferer of any crime when you go to Chicago, however there’s an opportunity you could possibly witness one. If you see a criminal offense occurring, don’t insert your self into the scenario. Instead, put far between your self and what’s occurring, and name the police to allow them to deal with it.
6. Be cautious of road sellers
You may encounter folks promoting various things on the road in Chicago, particularly downtown. There could be anyone promoting knock-off designer purses, and even Chicago memorabilia like T-shirts or magnets. They aren’t all dangerous, however some use this as a ruse for suspicious exercise, like pickpocketing — the sellers are simply there to distract you whereas another person snatches your pockets. Most of the time, they aren’t promoting something you wish to purchase anyway, so simply ignore them.
7. Take care of your belongings on the CTA
The CTA (Chicago Transport Authority) operates each the L trains and the buses all through Chicago. Trains and buses can get tremendous packed, particularly throughout rush hour, and pickpocketing is kind of widespread on public transportation within the metropolis.
Make certain you have got your belongings near you. Don’t put any valuables in your again pockets or in unzipped coat pockets. I as soon as had my pockets snatched from my coat pocket as I used to be stepping off a prepare and couldn’t do a lot about it, because the doorways closed behind me and the prepare took off, with my thief in possession of my playing cards and money.
Don’t make the identical mistake I did — put your pockets deep inside your purse, fanny pack, or backpack. As lengthy because it’s not in an out of doors pocket, try to be secure.
8. Avoid buses at evening
This isn’t a strict rule, nevertheless it’s a great way to keep away from sketchiness at evening. Buses are high quality to make use of in the course of the day, however they aren’t as secure at evening. As against getting dropped off at a well-lit station in a busy location such as you would on a prepare, bus stops are on the road, and generally you may find yourself in an space that isn’t so centralized or well-lit, which isn’t superb at evening, particularly in the event you aren’t conversant in the neighborhood.
To get across the metropolis at evening, I like to recommend utilizing the trains and Uber or Lyft. For instance, in case your vacation spot is a number of blocks from a prepare station and also you don’t really feel completely comfy strolling the remainder of the best way, you possibly can seize a rideshare and wait on the station for it to reach.
9. Take rideshares as a substitute of taxis
I don’t assume taxis are essentially unsafe in Chicago, however Uber and Lyft are nonetheless a safer wager. On each of those platforms, you possibly can simply report an unsafe driver proper within the app. On the opposite hand, if one thing occurred in a taxi, you would need to get the automobile’s quantity and file a grievance with the taxi firm, which is extra of a trouble.
10. Don’t take taxis from the airport
If there’s wherever you shouldn’t hail a cab in Chicago, it’s on the airport. These taxis cost outrageous quantities and prey on vacationers. A journey from the airport to downtown Chicago shouldn’t value greater than $60, which you’ll be capable of see in your rideshare app.
I like to recommend both hopping on the Blue Line prepare from O’Hare to the Loop or getting an Uber or Lyft. To be sincere, the Blue Line will get you downtown simply as rapidly, after which you may get a journey from there to your lodging for less expensive.
This isn’t essentially a “safety” tip, however getting scammed into paying lots of of {dollars} for a cab is tremendous annoying if not completely sketchy.
11. Share your location with somebody you belief
Whether you’re mountain climbing within the mountains abroad or simply spending the weekend in a brand new metropolis, this tip applies wherever you’re touring solo. Have a buddy who you possibly can share your stay location with. Let them know in the event you’ll be going wherever at evening, in order that they know to investigate cross-check you. This approach, you’ll have somebody who is aware of the place you might be and can know straight away if one thing is fallacious.
12. Avoid components of the lakeshore at evening…
The lakeshore is gorgeous, particularly at evening, with the lights of the town glowing within the water under. Although there are some superior locations alongside Chicago’s lakeshore to hang around at evening, not all of them are very secure. For instance, Navy Pier is at all times full of individuals on any given summer season evening, making it a secure alternative for a lakeside stroll. On the opposite hand, it is best to keep away from locations like Belmont Harbor which can be completely empty and really darkish at evening.
A very good rule of thumb is to stay to components of the lakeshore which can be near downtown and have loads of folks milling about. Navy Pier, the Museum Campus, and Concrete Beach are all high quality, whereas any of the lakeside seashores or parks on the north facet of the town may be harmful at evening.
13. …or just strolling wherever at evening alone
Even after dwelling in Chicago for a number of years, I nonetheless didn’t really feel 100% comfy strolling wherever at evening. Even within the metropolis’s most secure neighborhoods, there’s at all times a heightened danger of crime after darkish. Though most streets within the metropolis are effectively lit, strolling alone may be unpredictable even when you understand the neighborhood effectively.
When doubtful, simply take an Uber or Lyft. It won’t be the most affordable factor on this planet, nevertheless it offers you peace of thoughts.
14. Stay heat within the winter months
Although there’s nonetheless loads to like about Chicago within the wintertime, it’s not at all times the finest time to go to in the event you aren’t ready for very chilly temperatures. Occasionally “the lake effect” can push temperatures as little as -22°F. This may be harmful for guests who don’t have the correct gear to remain heat in these temps. Bring loads of layers and a heavy coat that goes right down to your thighs at the least. Waterproof boots with loads of insulation, together with thick gloves and a hat, are additionally key to holding heat. Nighttime temperatures are usually extra excessive, so avoiding going exterior at evening may additionally be a good suggestion.
15. Bring security instruments
For added safety, take into account bringing a few security instruments with you in your solo journey to Chicago. A conveyable doorjammer provides you an additional layer of safety in your resort or Airbnb, plus it’s sufficiently small to throw in your purse or carry-on baggage.
Another useful gizmo to have is a private alarm. If anyone ever will get too near you or threatens you, use this private alarm with a strobe mild to scare them away earlier than they shut in.
16. Fake it ’til you make it
In order to keep away from changing into a goal for petty theft or catcalling, be sure you seem like you understand the place you’re going. Even in the event you’re simply exploring downtown, stroll with function and don’t spend an excessive amount of time dilly-dallying. Chicago is a fast-paced metropolis, and anybody who’s strolling slowly and stopping to take a look at each little factor will stand out like a sore thumb. I do know it would sound harsh in the event you aren’t from a giant metropolis, however trying like a vacationer will instantly make you extra of a goal for theft.
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Chicago is an unimaginable metropolis to go to. I want I might see it with the contemporary eyes of a newcomer over again, as I vaguely keep in mind what it was prefer to be enchanted by the Windy City for the primary time. My hope is that these security suggestions assist you put together your self to remain secure in Chicago with out intimidating you. I feel it’s a unbelievable vacation spot for solo feminine vacationers, so long as they train warning and use road smarts.
Gear up in your journey with this epic checklist of issues to do in Chicago, and tell us what you’re most enthusiastic about!