Is San Francisco really that bad?

[VinceInMT]

An interesting take on the origins of the “drug crisis” was presented by “World War Speed” a PBS Secrets of the Dead episode which implied that Nazi Germany's use of Perevitan and the Allies use of Benzedrine during WWII carried over into the civilian population after the war increasing the popularity of using drugs Amphetamines Widely Used On Both Sides In WW2, Doc Claims (allthatsinteresting.com) . “Speed” was very popular when I was growing-up in the 60's.

Don’t forget one of the most popular drugs/uppers of all: caffeine.

However, correctly used, coffee makes a good film developer.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Don’t forget one of the most popular drugs/uppers of all: caffeine.

However, correctly used, coffee makes a good film developer.

It has gotten hard to be anywhere in San Francisco without seen a $tarBuck$ on every block.

 

[KerrKid]

An interesting take on the origins of the “drug crisis” was presented by “World War Speed” a PBS Secrets of the Dead episode which implied that Nazi Germany's use of Perevitan and the Allies use of Benzedrine during WWII carried over into the civilian population after the war increasing the popularity of using drugs Amphetamines Widely Used On Both Sides In WW2, Doc Claims (allthatsinteresting.com) . “Speed” was very popular when I was growing-up in the 60's.

Black Beauties…or so I hear.

The drugs now, I think, are worse or more powerful than what we commonly ran into when I was growing up. A major major problem are prescription drugs like oxy. Where I live, almost no one can pass a drug test. You’d think the big drug problems are in the big cities like SF and they are, but it’s really bad in small towns, too.

As safe as it seems around here, many of us carry a gun or knife or something. We’re prepared and as the sign says, “I have a backhoe and I don’t call 911.”

 

[DREW WILEY]

Having literally grown up with cowboys and Indians in a mountainous area where everyone including myself owned guns and hunted, I can of all people attest that guns are a totally different question here in these Bay Area cities, where someone might kill you specifically to steal your firearm. Call 911 in some of those bad neighborhoods and even the police might be reluctant to come. You might not even be safe in an emergency room. Nowadays actual police rather then security guards have to be stationed both outside and inside ER entrances. Sometimes gang members are waiting right there in the parking lot for the ambulance to arrive; and sometimes they have actually gone inside to finish off some rival. Logic has nothing to do with it. Showing off to your peers or attaining gang membership via an initiation involving murder often might.

The best policy in rural areas is simply to avoid meth labs and armed grow sites, "legal" or not. Same applies in inner cities : if it looks unsafe, it probably is, so keep moving and get out of Dodge City while you still can.

 

[eli griggs]

Be aware of your situation surroundings, Situational Awareness.

It's the number one thing you should practice, regardless of area around you.

I personally like to stop, turn, plant both feet firmly, so you have balanced postion so you'll no be knocked of ballance easily and check both the area and people behind me, especially when alone or on a sparsely populated, (at the moment) street or open space.

Turning without stopping works too, but can be done too fast to recognize what's no right in the area and you will no be in a stable condition, in most cases.

IMO.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Egad.

Some bad craziness out there.

I like where I live, at the end of a 52 Km side road to the main highway (no through traffic) in a small town of less than 9,000 on BC's north coast, in Canada.

Inconvenient for ordering photography supplies, but the peace of mind and easy access to Wilderness more than makes up for it.

 

[KerrKid]

Egad.

Some bad craziness out there.

I like where I live, at the end of a 52 Km side road to the main highway (no through traffic) in a small town of less than 9,000 on BC's north coast, in Canada.

Inconvenient for ordering photography supplies, but the peace of mind and easy access to Wilderness more than makes up for it.

I’m with you. I don’t go to the big city unless it’s to the airport. No way I’m going to live in a mess like that.

 

[KerrKid]

Having literally grown up with cowboys and Indians in a mountainous area where everyone including myself owned guns and hunted, I can of all people attest that guns are a totally different question here in these Bay Area cities, where someone might kill you specifically to steal your firearm. Call 911 in some of those bad neighborhoods and even the police might be reluctant to come. You might not even be safe in an emergency room. Nowadays actual police rather then security guards have to be stationed both outside and inside ER entrances. Sometimes gang members are waiting right there in the parking lot for the ambulance to arrive; and sometimes they have actually gone inside to finish off some rival. Logic has nothing to do with it. Showing off to your peers or attaining gang membership via an initiation involving murder often might.

The best policy in rural areas is simply to avoid meth labs and armed grow sites, "legal" or not. Same applies in inner cities : if it looks unsafe, it probably is, so keep moving and get out of Dodge City while you still can.

Sounds like areas of San Antonio. My son-in-law is SAPD and I have a friend who used to be. There are places that cops don’t go. It’s BSC everywhere these days.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I’m with you. I don’t go to the big city unless it’s to the airport. No way I’m going to live in a mess like that.

Yup, it's all about choices.

I'm retired now, but used to bicycle to work in about 7 minutes and there are several trailheads less than a 5 minute drive from our house.

While cities may afford more opportunities, small town life gets a lot of check marks in the Quality of Life column.

 

[madNbad]

So by now we should have sufficiently scared the OP from ever visiting San Francisco or any other large city. Transportation options range between a skateboard to an armored personnel carrier with the choice of wandering around semi clueless, whistling like a babe in the woods to gunned up like an extra in a Liam Neeson action movie. All big cities are basically the same, be aware, move with purpose, keep an eye on your stuff and take some time to talk to people. One morning my wife and I were in Paris when we found the train we were expecting had been closed for repairs. We ended up on a bus that traveled through some of the less picturesque areas of the city. We had a grand time helping a group with their English skills. Life’s and adventure waiting to happen.

 

[KerrKid]

Yup, it's all about choices.

I'm retired now, but used to bicycle to work in about 7 minutes and there are several trailheads less than a 5 minute drive from our house.

While cities may afford more opportunities, small town life gets a lot of check marks in the Quality of Life column.

I have large parks and a long river trail within walking distance. I can hop on the motorcycle and be out in the country on fantastic roads in minutes. I’m no city boy and won’t ever be.

It’s a shame people have to live like what’s been described here. Plenty of reasons for the mess and it’s not an easy fix. Just look at Mexico. It’s interesting how drugs seem to be a common denominator, though. Sometimes, the criminals are so powerful that even if you want to make the right changes, you can’t. Violence is just going to be met with more violence.

 

[KerrKid]

…gunned up like an extra in a Liam Neeson action movie.

No one on this thread has suggested taking a gun to SF. Or driving an armored vehicle.

I personally don’t care who goes to SF or not and I don’t think it’s life-threatening unless you go where angels fear to tread.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I lived in NYC all my life. My general rules are I stay out of bad neighborhoods, especially at night. If you don't know where the bad ones are, Google it. Check around as you walk around. If you see suspicious people looking at you and checking you out or people just hanging around looking suspicious, cross the street or go into a store. Travel in pairs or more. Take a small camera you can keep under your jacket with a neck strap. If you get attacked, take their picture. Maybe you can sell it to the newspapers.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I have large parks and a long river trail within walking distance. I can hop on the motorcycle and be out in the country on fantastic roads in minutes. I’m no city boy and won’t ever be...

Whenever I visit The Big City by plane and fly home, the sense of relief and space unfolding around me as I step off the plane is profound.

Link below shows where I live...we also have a boat so get to explore the north and central coasts, where if you stay off the Inside Passage, you get anchorages all to yourself more often than not and can go for a week or more without seeing another boat.

Bliss.

Kitimat · Kitimat-Stikine, BC, Canada

Kitimat-Stikine, BC, Canada

www.google.com

 

[Huss]

Whenever I visit The Big City by plane and fly home, the sense of relief and space unfolding around me as I step off the plane is profound.

Link below shows where I live...we also have a boat so get to explore the north and central coasts, where if you stay off the Inside Passage, you get anchorages all to yourself more often than not and can go for a week or more without seeing another boat.

Bliss.

Kitimat · Kitimat-Stikine, BC, Canada

Kitimat-Stikine, BC, Canada

www.google.com

That is beautiful. But I would be bored out of my mind after a few days. The lure of the city is all the photographic opportunities which change by the minute. Because of people.
If your interest is wildlife and landscape photography, then yes I can see being out in the wilds having appeal.
If your interest is the thrall of humanity, then it is a big miss.

 

[Huss]

No one on this thread has suggested taking a gun to SF. Or driving an armored vehicle.

I personally don’t care who goes to SF or not and I don’t think it’s life-threatening unless you go where angels fear to tread.

actually a now deleted post did mention the former.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

That is beautiful. But I would be bored out of my mind after a few days. The lure of the city is all the photographic opportunities which change by the minute. Because of people.
If your interest is wildlife and landscape photography, then yes I can see being out in the wilds having appeal.
If your interest is the thrall of humanity, then it is a big miss.

Landscape oriented for sure.

Took a one year photography course, unilaterally decided to embark on self directed studies, and took zero portraits or any other people related photos. Came out of it with my first one man show (nature stuff) printed & matted, so the Instructor was kind enough to give me a grade of B for the course.

You and I are happy at our opposite ends of the photographic spectrum

 

[Richard Man]

actually a now deleted post did mention the former.

"to be fair", he was talking about taking a gun going to work in Seattle, not SF per se, but I'm sure he has no problem taking his gun(s) to SF either.

 

[VinceInMT]

The “big city” is a somewhat relative term. I’m in Billings, Montana, the largest city in the state. Population is around 100K. We are over 2 hours from the next largest city, Bozeman, with mostly open country between us. Then another long drive to Butte followed by another to Missoula. If I head east, I can dive for hours before I come close to a Walmart.

So, one would think that Billings is really a small place with all the advantages of such, but according to crime statistics, our crime rate is higher than Los Angeles or Seattle. Earlier I mention a recent shooting and that was anomaly in that the shooter didn’t know the victims. Most of the violent crime here, like many other places, is between people who know each other. Part of the problem is that we are a “catch and release” community. Our jail is so full that there simply isn’t room for any more. Montana is VERY anti-tax and it’s difficult to get stuff done that will require voters to approve a tax or bond to accomplish it. While the community is outraged over letting criminals go, they voted down a bond to expand the jail. AFAIK, the bulk of crime here is drug related: both the legal kind (alcohol) and illegal.

Oh, and if you think that the wide open spaces, rivers, mountains, and all that brings some kind of serenity, Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.

All that said, I moved here from the Los Angeles area 31 years and I have always felt safe here. I am a distance runner and there is no part of the city I feel unsafe running through At any time of day. Maybe I’m being naive but who want to accost some old guy out running? What’s in it for them?

 

[Mike Lopez]

"to be fair", he was talking about taking a gun going to work in Seattle, not SF per se, but I'm sure he has no problem taking his gun(s) to SF either.

Pretty obvious firearm reference in post #4, as well. That particular poster is quick with that kind of advice and this is a common occurrence.

 

[Huss]

Landscape oriented for sure.

Took a one year photography course, unilaterally decided to embark on self directed studies, and took zero portraits or any other people related photos. Came out of it with my first one man show (nature stuff) printed & matted, so the Instructor was kind enough to give me a grade of B for the course.

You and I are happy at our opposite ends of the photographic spectrum

Yes, just different. You live in a gorgeous place.

 

[Huss]

The “big city” is a somewhat relative term. I’m in Billings, Montana, the largest city in the state. Population is around 100K. We are over 2 hours from the next largest city, Bozeman, with mostly open country between us. Then another long drive to Butte followed by another to Missoula. If I head east, I can dive for hours before I come close to a Walmart.

So, one would think that Billings is really a small place with all the advantages of such, but according to crime statistics, our crime rate is higher than Los Angeles or Seattle. Earlier I mention a recent shooting and that was anomaly in that the shooter didn’t know the victims. Most of the violent crime here, like many other places, is between people who know each other. Part of the problem is that we are a “catch and release” community. Our jail is so full that there simply isn’t room for any more. Montana is VERY anti-tax and it’s difficult to get stuff done that will require voters to approve a tax or bond to accomplish it. While the community is outraged over letting criminals go, they voted down a bond to expand the jail. AFAIK, the bulk of crime here is drug related: both the legal kind (alcohol) and illegal.

Oh, and if you think that the wide open spaces, rivers, mountains, and all that brings some kind of serenity, Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.

All that said, I moved here from the Los Angeles area 31 years and I have always felt safe here. I am a distance runner and there is no part of the city I feel unsafe running through At any time of day. Maybe I’m being naive but who want to accost some old guy out running? What’s in it for them?

Vince, if I saw you running by I’d think there was some malarkey afoot! Why is he running? Did he steal something? someone stop him!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

...I am a distance runner and there is no part of the city I feel unsafe running through At any time of day. Maybe I’m being naive but who want to accost some old guy out running? What’s in it for them?

My town perimeter run is 10K with abundant areas to duck into the trees and take a wiz, or even leave a more substantial forest offering if need be...another small town perk

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

It has gotten hard to be anywhere in San Francisco without seen a $tarBuck$ on every block.

Hell its like that in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They even have them in small towns here now.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

The “big city” is a somewhat relative term. I’m in Billings, Montana, the largest city in the state. Population is around 100K. We are over 2 hours from the next largest city, Bozeman, with mostly open country between us. Then another long drive to Butte followed by another to Missoula. If I head east, I can dive for hours before I come close to a Walmart.

So, one would think that Billings is really a small place with all the advantages of such, but according to crime statistics, our crime rate is higher than Los Angeles or Seattle. Earlier I mention a recent shooting and that was anomaly in that the shooter didn’t know the victims. Most of the violent crime here, like many other places, is between people who know each other. Part of the problem is that we are a “catch and release” community. Our jail is so full that there simply isn’t room for any more. Montana is VERY anti-tax and it’s difficult to get stuff done that will require voters to approve a tax or bond to accomplish it. While the community is outraged over letting criminals go, they voted down a bond to expand the jail. AFAIK, the bulk of crime here is drug related: both the legal kind (alcohol) and illegal.

Oh, and if you think that the wide open spaces, rivers, mountains, and all that brings some kind of serenity, Montana has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation.

All that said, I moved here from the Los Angeles area 31 years and I have always felt safe here. I am a distance runner and there is no part of the city I feel unsafe running through At any time of day. Maybe I’m being naive but who want to accost some old guy out running? What’s in it for them?

Small cities and towns with no economic opportunity tend to have high violent crime rates. I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana's second largest city with 275,000 people. Back in 2006-2007, I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe is a small city, about 60,000 people. The cost of living in Santa Fe was extreme. At that time, a one bedroom apartment was $1000 a month, minimum; in Fort Wayne the same apartment would have been $350. The woman I dated there owned a tiny 800 sq. ft. house that she paid $200,000 for, and it was NOT in a good neighborhood. In Fort Wayne you could buy a 4000 sq. ft. house in a fancy neighborhood for $200,000.

Santa Fe had more murders every year than Fort Wayne did both years I lived there. Considering that Ft. Wayne had five times the population, it is crazy that a small place like Santa Fe had MORE murders than the larger city. Santa Fe had no good jobs and an extreme cost of living. Fort Wayne is affordable and has more good jobs and a lot less poverty.