Is Gay Street, Baltimore, Safe to Live or Visit in 2024?

Gay Street Crime Rates and Safety Rankings

Planning to live, visit, or move to Gay Street? Here's what you need to know to stay safe.

This article analyzes Gay Street’s most recent crime data, drawing on statistics from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, to determine if the neighborhood is safe or dangerous.

We use a 0-100 crime rate scale. Higher scores mean more crime and greater danger.

We'll compare Gay Street to Baltimore and national averages, look at crime trends, and highlight key safety concerns.

Read on for essential facts and tips on protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Gay Street.

Crime and safety snapshot

How dangerous is Gay Street? The area has some significant safety challenges. The crime rate is high at 80/100, with violent crime at 80/100 and property crime at 80/100. These numbers indicate that crime is a frequent issue in this area. If you're living in or visiting Gay Street, it's crucial to be vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure your safety.

Gay Street safety ranking in Baltimore

Gay Street ranks slightly more dangerous than average Baltimore neighborhoods regarding violent crime. In terms of property crime, it ranks around average in the city.

Is Gay Street Getting Safer or More Dangerous?

Now, let's take a closer look at how safety in Gay Street has changed over time.

Has Gay Street become safer (2023 vs. 2022)?

Data reveals that Gay Street has become slightly more dangerous between 2022 and 2023. While the change isn't dramatic, it's worth being more cautious than before.

How has crime in Gay Street changed over the years?

Note: We've excluded 2020-2021 from trend comparison analyses due to the unusual crime patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing instead on comparing current data to pre-pandemic trends.

Overall crime rates

Compared to pre-pandemic years (2017 and 2019), Gay Street is about as safe. Violent crime increased by 2 points. Property crime increased by 3 points.

Crimes to be Careful of in Gay Street

Whether you live in or visit Gay Street, understanding the frequency of various crimes can help you navigate daily life more safely. By knowing which offenses are more common, you can take appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property in Gay Street.

How common are violent crimes in Gay Street?

In Gay Street, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is significantly elevated.

Here's a breakdown of risk levels for specific violent crimes:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): Significantly elevated
• Rape (sexual assault): Elevated
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): Significantly elevated
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): Significantly elevated

While in Gay Street, watch out for the following crimes and take action to stay safe:

• Murder/Homicide and Aggravated Assault: This area sees more violent physical attacks than safer parts of town. After dark, be extra cautious. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and stay alert. If you encounter trouble, shout for help and head to a crowded area. Staying sober is crucial—it helps you stay sharp, spot potential danger from afar, and reduce the chance of becoming a target. If you feel uneasy, duck into a store or another safe place until things seem calmer.

• Rape: Women should be cautious, as sexual assaults are a serious concern here. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Go out with friends or use trusted ride services. Stay vigilant in quiet areas. Consider carrying pepper spray or a whistle for protection. If threatened, scream for help and run towards busy spots or open businesses.

• Robbery: Muggings are more frequent here. Consider keeping valuables hidden—using a money belt can help protect your belongings.

How frequent are property crimes in Gay Street?

• Burglary (home break-ins): Significantly elevated
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): Significantly elevated
• Auto Theft (car stealing): Significantly elevated
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): Significantly elevated

If you own or rent property in Gay Street, regularly use a vehicle in the area, or frequently spend time in public spaces here:

• Secure your property from home break-ins — install good-quality locks, consider a home security system, and keep windows and doors secure.

• Protect yourself from pickpocketers and bag snatchers — be vigilant with personal belongings in public, secure your bag, and be aware of pickpocketing risks in crowded areas.

• Protect your car — lock it every time you leave, keep valuable items out of sight, install a car alarm if possible, and make sure you have adequate car insurance for extra peace of mind.

• Be mindful of arson risks — protect your property by keeping it well-lit, removing flammable materials from around buildings, getting comprehensive fire insurance coverage, and installing smoke detectors on every floor.

Violent Crime in Gay Street

Breakdown of violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific violent offenses:

• Murder/Homicide (deadly attacks): 87/100 - a major concern, 27 points higher than the US average.
• Rape (sexual assault): 56/100 - at an average level, 1 points higher than the US average.
• Robbery (theft by force or threat): 92/100 - a major concern, 40 points higher than the US average.
• Aggravated Assault (serious physical attacks): 84/100 - a significant issue, 27 points higher than the US average.

Gay Street’s violent crime ranking in Baltimore

In terms of violent crime rates, among the 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore, Gay Street ranks slightly more dangerous than average.

Here's how Gay Street ranks within Baltimore for each type of violent crime:

• Murder: Ranks 147th, about average.

• Rape: Ranks 190th, more dangerous than most.

• Robbery: Ranks 40th, safer than most.

• Aggravated Assault: Ranks 78th, slightly safer than average.

Is Gay Street getting safer from violent crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

• The murder crime rate increased by 2 points, now slightly more dangerous.
• The rape crime rate increased by 2 points, now slightly more dangerous.
• The robbery crime rate increased by 7 points, now moderately more dangerous.
• The aggravated assault crime rate decreased by 1 point, now slightly safer.

How has violent crime in Gay Street changed over the years?

Violent crime rates

Comparing Gay Street now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, violent crime is unchanged.

Rape crime rates

Property Crime in Gay Street

While violent crimes often grab headlines, it's property crimes that might affect residents and visitors more frequently. Whether you live in Gay Street or are just passing through, understanding the property crime situation can help you protect your belongings—from home burglaries to pickpocketing and bag snatching. Let's look closely at property crime in Gay Street and how it impacts locals and travelers.

Gay Street has a property crime rate of 80 out of 100. This categorizes the area as high crime.

For context, Baltimore's property crime rate in 2023 is 80/100, while the US average property crime rate for that year is 47/100.

Breakdown of property crime rates (burglary, larceny, auto theft, and arson)

Here are the latest crime rates for specific property offenses:

• Burglary (home break-ins): 74/100-a significant issue, 32 points higher than the US average.
• Larceny (theft, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching): 83/100-a significant issue, 40 points higher than the US average.
• Auto Theft (car stealing): 93/100-a major concern, 32 points higher than the US average.
• Arson (intentional fire-setting): 73/100-a significant issue, 18 points higher than the US average.

Gay Street’s property crime ranking in Baltimore

Gay Street ranks as about average out of 264 areas in Baltimore.Here's how Gay Street ranks within Baltimore for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Ranks 146th, about average.
• Larceny: Ranks 134th, about average.
• Auto Theft: Ranks 48th, safer than most.
• Arson: Ranks 140th, about average.

Is Gay Street getting safer from property crime (2023 vs. 2022)?

From 2022 to 2023, Gay Street has become moderately more dangerous from property crime.Let's examine the year-over-year changes for each type of property crime:

• Burglary: Decreased by 2 points, now slightly safer.
• Larceny: Increased by 7 points, now moderately more dangerous.
• Auto Theft: Increased by 17 points, now notably more dangerous.
• Arson: Increased by 2 points, now slightly more dangerous.

How has property crime in Gay Street changed over the years?

Property crime rates

Comparing Gay Street now to the pre-pandemic years of 2017-2019, property crime is unchanged.

Nearest Neighborhoods by Crime Rate

Whether you're considering living in Gay Street or planning a visit, here's how nearby neighborhoods compare in terms of crime rates and safety.

Among nearby areas, Biddle Street has the lowest overall crime rate, making it an alternative to consider if you're concerned about Gay Street’s safety.

Explore the crime and safety ranking of all neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

To answer the question, is Gay Street, Baltimore, safe or dangerous? Now that we've reviewed Gay Street’s crime and safety details, let's sum up the main points so you can decide if it's a place you'd want to live in or visit, what to be careful of, and how to stay safe if you go there:

Crime statistics

• Gay Street’s overall crime rate: 80/100
• Safety ranking: 217 out of 264 neighborhoods in Baltimore.
• Violent crime rate: 80/100 (4 points higher than Baltimore's average, 28 points higher than the national average.)
• Property crime rate: 80/100 (14 points higher than Baltimore's average, 33 points higher than the national average.)

Based on these crime statistics, Gay Street is quite dangerous. You need to be highly alert at all times.

Crime trends

Comparing 2023 to 2022:

• Overall: More dangerous by 3 points.
• Violent crime: Now slightly more dangerous than in 2022.
• Property crime: Now moderately more dangerous than in 2022.

Top crimes in Gay Street:

• Auto Theft: 93/100.
• Robbery: 92/100.
• Murder/Homicide: 87/100.

If you live in or visit Gay Street, stay vigilant and take these precautions:

• Gay Street has lots of car thefts. Always lock your car, even for quick stops. Never leave it running alone. Use a steering wheel or pedal lock; these can scare off thieves. If you can, put a GPS tracker in your car. Avoid parking on the street here, especially on quiet, dark streets. If you must, choose spots under streetlights or near security cameras.

• Gay Street has a high robbery rate. Keep valuables out of sight and use a money belt hidden under your clothes. Be especially careful near ATMs. If confronted by a robber, stay calm and comply with their demands—no possession is worth risking your life. If you can run fast and it's safe to do so, running might be an option. Otherwise, don't make sudden movements that could escalate the situation.

• Gay Street has high rates of violent crime. Avoid being out alone, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit main streets and stay alert to your surroundings. If you spot potential trouble from afar (drunk people, strange behavior, or groups), cross the street or calmly turn back. Don't engage with strangers in isolated areas. If attacked, shout loudly to draw attention and try to escape to a populated area if possible. Stay sober when in this area, as being intoxicated makes you an easier target. If you feel unsafe, duck into a store and stay there until it's safe to leave.

Nearby neighborhoods

Areas with the lowest crime rates near Gay Street:

• Lowest violent crime rates: Biddle Street, Orangeville Industrial Area, Orchard Ridge.
• Lowest property crime rates: Armistead Gardens, Milton - Montford, Biddle Street.