But statistics and ratings are just the beginning. Your area may rate poorly because of crimes occurring on the distant boundaries of your ZIP code. To investigate further, visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and night. Talk to residents. That's a sure sign that the people who already live there and know the neighborhood are worried about their safety.
Graffiti can be a sign that crime is a problem.
Even though taggers can strike anywhere, residents in low-crime areas usually remove the graffiti quickly. In high-crime areas people may be afraid to remove the graffiti or have just given up. Keep an eye out for loiterers and stores with guards and an abundance of surveillance or protective equipment. Read the community's newspapers. Some print crime blotters, listing recent crimes and where they happened.