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The stat says that crime is much geographically denser on average than other US cities, even after controlling for population density. This implies that crime

The stat says that crime is much geographically denser on average than other US cities, even after controlling for population density. This implies that crime levels are high throughout much of the city, or extraordinarily high in pockets. And if you live here, you know this is true. In contrast to many other cities, where crime is often concentrated in pockets, SF has high crime almost everywhere with pockets of safety in expensive neighborhoods like Pac Heights, Russian Hill, Forrest Knolls, and the outskirts. The stat means it’s harder to escape crime in SF, unless you’re one of the privileged few.

crazygringo 4y ago
No, per square mile is meaningless. Crime per square mile will be higher anywhere where people live in high rise buildings instead of suburbs. So what? Is it worse that a robbery took place 15 floors below you rather than five blocks away? Because I don't see the difference at all. If you're worried about personal safety, literally the only important denominator is per capita. That's the likelihood of something happening to you. Per square mile has no relevance to personal safety. And if high population density is a factor in crime levels rising, that's already reflected in per-capita stats.
- mansion7 4y ago
  Absolutely it is worse, as the criminal has access to your building and you may meet them more easily in elevators and common areas.
  - crazygringo 4y ago
    No, because the crime rate is the same so it doesn't matter by definition. But also, think about -- in the suburbs the criminal can just walk into your front yard. There's no difference between someone at the door to your apartment or the door to your house. (Heck, houses can be easier to break into because they have more doors to try out of view, windows that can be smashed, etc.) And yes you can run into a criminal in an elevator. You can also run into them on a sidewalk, or get carjacked while stopped at a traffic light or to park. But at the end of the day there's no difference. Crime per capita is crime per capita.
  - throwaway81523 4y ago
    Well that likelihood is measured as crime per capita, of course. Conditional on someone breaking in, you are much safer in an apartment building. If you live in a single family house and someone breaks in, he or she will probably rob you. If you live in a 100 unit apartment building and someone breaks in, he or she will rob either your unit, or or one of the 99 others. For it to be yours, you need to be unlucky that day, even after the break-in.

crazygringo 4y ago

No, per square mile is meaningless. Crime per square mile will be higher anywhere where people live in high rise buildings instead of suburbs. So what? Is it worse that a robbery took place 15 floors below you rather than five blocks away? Because I don't see the difference at all. If you're worried about personal safety, literally the only important denominator is per capita. That's the likelihood of something happening to you. Per square mile has no relevance to personal safety. And if high population density is a factor in crime levels rising, that's already reflected in per-capita stats.

mansion7 4y ago
Absolutely it is worse, as the criminal has access to your building and you may meet them more easily in elevators and common areas.
- crazygringo 4y ago
  No, because the crime rate is the same so it doesn't matter by definition. But also, think about -- in the suburbs the criminal can just walk into your front yard. There's no difference between someone at the door to your apartment or the door to your house. (Heck, houses can be easier to break into because they have more doors to try out of view, windows that can be smashed, etc.) And yes you can run into a criminal in an elevator. You can also run into them on a sidewalk, or get carjacked while stopped at a traffic light or to park. But at the end of the day there's no difference. Crime per capita is crime per capita.
- throwaway81523 4y ago
  Well that likelihood is measured as crime per capita, of course. Conditional on someone breaking in, you are much safer in an apartment building. If you live in a single family house and someone breaks in, he or she will probably rob you. If you live in a 100 unit apartment building and someone breaks in, he or she will rob either your unit, or or one of the 99 others. For it to be yours, you need to be unlucky that day, even after the break-in.