Some like Florida wed say to avoid entirely, because they dont really have any POIs that make them worth the extra risk. A typical first-time experience is breathtaking, mesmerizing, and thrilling because the city has an atmosphere of culture and music. Crime map statistics for the neighborhood show that 136 violent crimes happened in three months. There are loads of reasons for Central Citys less-than-savory showing. Without listing them all, here are the main areas of the city: District 1: French Quarter + Central Business District (CBD) business district District 2: Quartier Central City / Garden District The District 3: Uptown / Carrollton District District 4: Mid City Aside from the crime, this area is also prone to flooding due to hurricanes or heavy rain. All rights reserved. And also on whether you know the places to avoid in New Orleans. Read: https://www.areavibes.com/new+orleans-la/west+lake+forest/crime/. Watch this Video! Many homebuyers and tourists try to not end up being in this area for very apparent reason. The crime rates are 266% greater than the national average, where violent crimes are even 327% greater despite the police presence. 6. Population 10,552. Public transportation has less worry about safety, so your cash and wallets are likely to be intact without you caring so much. Coming from a family of woodcarvers, Cyril has always been fascinated with wooden interiors and home decorating. Done out in chic minimalist styles, this gastronomic hub of north NOLA offers everything from artisan Creole seafood cooking to Japanese sushi. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0% 00:25 03:06 The truth is, your safety in New Orleans depends on many factors. Just make sure you watch yourself wherever you wander. East Carollton, Navarre, and Old Aurora are all considered to be safe neighborhoods as well. And definitely dont visit the cemeteries without a formal tour group, especially after dark. A new list ranked the most dangerous cities in America and the safest cities in the US. Your chance of becoming a victim of a crime here is one in 17. Many of the most dangerous places in New Orleans you should know about as a traveler are in the northern part of the city, straddling the Marigny area, between the wide estuary waters of Lake Pontchartrain and the bends of the Mississippi River. Greater New Orleans Area. Even after reading the information and data above, you should not be discouraged to go to even live in New Orleans. ET as an "extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane," the National Hurricane Center said. In the 2021 survey, only 35 percent say it's safe - that's a 22-point drop. Jan 2008 - Present15 years 1 month. Lake Vista is a premier neighborhood in New Orleans. Drug abuse, poverty, and gang-related crimes grew in this neighborhood. West Lake Forest is home to 4,200 people and has 73% more crime than New Orleans. The area is known as a hotspot for petty theft and pickpocketing but also way more serious offences like murder and rape. Viavant-Venetian Isles Is it Dangerous to Live in New Orleans? In Tulane- Gravier, the police presence is visible, and the effect is felt. When he's not putting together the next epic blog on the best Greek islands or ski fields in France, you can usually find him surfing or hiking his two top hobbies. but no one says just where they are. Search this area. Los Angeles or Las Vegas: Which City Should You Visit? The French Quarter and Bourbon Street are popular with tourists but rife with petty criminals, scammers, and con artists. Like anywhere else, New Orleans crime is higher in certain neighborhoods. While the crime here is not as bad compared to the crime you may encounter in the inner city, crimes like theft and robberies still occur. In the Crime Coalition's 2020 survey, 57 percent of residents said the city was safe. Desire was so crime-ridden, it was one of the worst neighborhoods in New Orleans. For those who prioritize safety, Uptown and the Garden Districthave the two lowest crime rates in New Orleans. The worst communities in New Orleans include Central City, Hoffman Triangle, Treme, Lower 9th Ward, and New Orleans East. A post-Katrina influx of artists and students, musicians and painters, has ensured that the area is slowly but surely establishing itself as something of a creative hub. Most Violent Area Is 7Th Ward New Orleans Safe? While primarily residential, they both have one distinct feature that will determine which you prefer. The lack of police force in this area might be one of the reasons for the rampant crime. And for this neighborhood, it is 1,926. The following represent the most deadly intersections in New Orleans: 1. A lot of maps show all crime incidents. In the 1990s, it was notably dangerous and violent. The 7th Ward is the cut-out of the north part of the city that buts right up to aforementioned Saint Roch. Located just above the Bywater, Saint Claude is also a part of the Upper 9th Ward. To help you out, we've listed the safest areas to visit in New Orleans below. This area is boarded by Lake Pontchartrain to the north, Robert E. Lee Boulevard to the south, Bayou St. John to the east, and Lake Pontchartrain to the north. The number of people in this neighborhood which have a poor livability score is estimated as 10,552. Explore as many as you can and learn what makes New Orleans so especially New Orleans. If youre headed above Bourbon Street, toward Rampart, take a cab or travel in a groupwhatever it takes to avoid walking alone after dark. Many (not all) of the unsafe areas LOOK like unsafe areas when you get out of the Quarter. Saint Claude Don't Want to Read the Whole List? Its pretty safe and your hotel staff can give you guidance to keep you away from the dicier areas. You and a New Orleans dangerous drug lawyer may be able to work together to prove the facts in your case, and determine what you may be entitled to. For this reason, your money is safe in you while in public transportation. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49625318', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Louis Armstrong Park/Congo Square, the Backstreet Cultural Museum, St Augustine Church and St Louis #2 Cemetery. Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas in New Orleans 1. Saint Claude Don't Want to Read the Whole List? The action plan included a comprehensive study of the city's most dangerous intersections. Streetcars are plentiful and safe within the French Quarterand between the French Quarter and the Garden Districtat least until midnight. Mid-City is safer than 26% of Louisianas cities and you have a 1 in 14 chance of being a crime victim. Saint Claude sees much higher than average theft and petty crime levels, it counts 2,285 crimes per 100,000 head of population, which is only a smidgen off the four other most dangerous places in New Orleans that top this list, and there are hugely significant records of assaults in the region, to the tune of something like 10 times the national average! 6. With the police presence in the daytime, few petty crime incidences occur so your money and wallets are quite secured even in public rides. LOS ANGELES (AP) The ninth atmospheric river in a three-week series of major winter storms was churning through California on Monday, leaving mountain driving dangerous and flooding risk high . You cant go to New Orleans, of course, without visiting the French Quarter and its world-famous main drag, Bourbon Street. 6. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. New Orleans Metro is in the 8th percentile for safety, meaning 92% of metro areas are safer and 8% of metro areas are more dangerous. Watch this space! Florida is one of the most unique states in the country because of the weather, sights, and bodies of water. Like others have said, keep your wits about you and don't go anywhere you feel uncomfortable. Smaller neighborhoods usually have obvious benefits -- less crime, a slower pace of life, and a lower cost of living. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Muggings arent unheard of here, so once Bourbon Street gets dark, keep your wits about you. It is "back of town" (north/away from the river) from the Marigny and Bywater sections. For safer places to stay, consider areas with the lowest crime rates in New Orleans: Uptown and the Garden District especially (before Magazine, away from the river), but also the French Quarters most popular blocks, from Bourbon Street to Decatur Street, and from Canal Street to Ann Street, where violent crime is highly unlikely. The statistics in this neighborhood see periods of spikes now and again. New Orleans, then, is not among the cities generally considered completely safe for travelers, unfortunately. Its not a good idea to wander around most of the cemetaries by yourself. Uptown and the Garden District are some of the safest areas to stay in New Orleans. Other beaches near New Orleans include Pensacola Beach, Biloxi Beach, and Gulfport. There's tours that will take you to the most famous ones. Florida 5. 7 Reasons the Answer is Yes, 5 Of The Most Amazing Snakes In Puerto Rico To Know About, Silver Travel: The 7 Best US Travel Destinations For Seniors. Saint Roch 3. In Saint Roch, on the other hand, almost 3 out of 4 children grow up in poverty. Never accept a drink you havent seen go directly from the bartender to you, and never drink any beverage that youve let out of your sightdate rape druggings have been known to occur in New Orleans. Frenchman's Street is still lively but without the chaos (and smell) of Bourbon Street. Desire Should you desire to live in Desire? Just around the Mississippi River from the French Quarter, the Algiers Point ferry gives quick access to the center of the city. That said, murder rates in New Orleans have dropped in recent years, and robberies are also on the decline. What areas are unsafe in New Orleans? On average, each year between 2011 & 2015 a person was shot 39 times. In terms of New Orleans neighborhoods to avoid, gang violence has increased in the 6th District, which includes Central City, the Garden District, . New Orleans is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. 7 lateral303 7 yr. ago Are the Marigny and Bywater considered to be really that bad? The total crime registered in 2018 was 9,896 for every 100,000 residents. New Orleans, LA Is Among the Most Dangerous US Metro Areas - 24/7 Wall St. Special Report New Orleans, LA Is Among the Most Dangerous US Metro Areas Samuel Stebbins The U.S. violent. Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime) New Orleans violent crime is 49.1. Read: https://www.areavibes.com/new+orleans-la/pines+village/crime/. Is New Orleans safe? I've let my guard down before and almost paid the price. Within the first six months of 2020, the city had already exceeded the number of homicide cases that occurred in the previous year with 121 cases of murder. Basically, dont go here. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Ultimately crime happens where people are, whether they live there or not. The architecture in Florida reflects the tropical climate and unique aesthetic that the Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. New Orleanss crime rate is off the charts, even the citys state, Louisiana, has been considered the nations most murderous state 31 years in a row. Nope, they arent great figures. This neighborhood has a mere population of 3,437 but yet a grave crime record. Generally, the areas frequented by tourists (FQ, CBD, Marigny, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In New Orleans, locals are always happy to stop and give directions to visitors. Viavant-Venetian Isles Is it Dangerous to Live in New Orleans? However, in recent years it's been listed as one of the most dangerous cities in Louisiana. New Orleans' cemeteries are filled with above-ground tombs because of the city's swampy terrain, and the cemeteries draw tourists. However, there are also some striking stats here. There are preppy places, ghettos and hipster areas. On top of this, the overall crime rate is also considerably higher. New Orleans tops the sad list of the most dangerous cities. Purses and wallets should be held tightly while in public transports. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. On where you go, how you carry yourself, and, as with anywhere, sheer luck. Is New Orleans safe? Don't fall for any cons in New Orleans-you might want to google some of the most popular ones-don't flash money around or get so drunk that you don't know where you are. Again, its on the northern side of New Orleans. There are certainly areas to avoid, like in every other large city, but If you're doing the typical tourist visit to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This being said, as first time tourists most of your time will probably be spent in the French Quarter and Garden District and that's ok--just branch out eventually, you'll be glad of it. Uptown is a vibrant area known for the gorgeous oak trees surrounding it. Report inappropriate content. Read: https://www.areavibes.com/new+orleans-la/desire/crime/. For this neighborhood, day time walks or bikes and equally night time strolls are permitted with no safety concerns. Increasing almost 15% every year for the last couple of years, the violent crime rate here now hits a disconcertingly high level of about 105% more than the citys overall average and more than 500% the national average. Sign up for our free newsletter. This area also suffers from a high crime rate. In terms of New Orleans neighborhoods to avoid, gang violence has increased in the 6th District, which includes Central City, the Garden District, Hoffman Triangle, Irish Channel, Touro, and Zion City, where there have been shootings and homicides. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49629270', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');St. Louis No.1, St. Louis No.3 or Lafayette No.1 Walk like you know just where you're going. But not all New Orleans neighborhoods are created equal. New Orleans has traditionally had relatively affordable housing and a tourism-based economy. There are efforts underway to salvage the reputation of Saint Roch, though. Re: Areas to avoid in New Orleans 9 years ago Save Its not a good idea to wander around most of the cemetaries by yourself. Florida 5. Hidden within the Algiers district, friendly neighbors and historic bungalows make Old Aurora one of the best places to live in the city! Before you visit, learn about the dangerous parts of New Orleans, as well as the safer neighborhoods to visit. Such places in New Orleans are, for example, the Central City neighborhood which has the worst crime . Parks and designated recreational areas, of which the New Orleans metro area has 7, have the same problem. It seems like an area where people from all walks of life can thrive. It hit this part of the town particularly hard, flooding the streets, destroying houses, and brining huge silt deposits inland from the Mississippi and the London Avenue Canal, which actually forms the northern boundary of the area as a whole. 156 %; Central City. . Lakeview is another neighborhood that is worth checking out when looking for a safe place in New Orleans. The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In New Orleans For 2022 1. The lack of police force in the area and poorly lit streets play a part in why crimes are proliferating in the area. While there are no official New Orleans travel warnings that we know of, NOLA is often included on lists of the worlds 50 most crime-filled cities. Safety is guaranteed during daytime and not so much by night, more so for women traveling solo. Although the crime incidents reported in 2018 is 9,914 for every 100,000 residents, Marigny is safer than 12% of Louisianas cities. United States ; Louisiana (LA) New Orleans ; New Orleans Travel Forum; . As relatively safe as the neighborhood is with patrolling officers, a step further is necessary to be taken to guard personal vehicles and items. So, when moving or just visiting New Orleans, this is a place you may want to avoid. Check out the list below for the neighborhoods that have a remarkably bad reputation for significant spikes in New Orleans crime rate. It looks as though overall crime rates are dropping by nearly 7% each year here and theres certainly renewed interest in the area, mainly thanks to buzz of Main Street, where you can find historic bakeries and dairy houses. New Orleans saw almost half of all its traffic fatalities, more than half of its traffic injuries, and more than half of its accident property damage, in accidents that happened at intersections in one recent year. Davis - City park ave. are considered quite safe. are all fine. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49619334', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');New Orleans we should avoid, gang areas etc? Furthermore, the income among the residents in this neighborhood is below 98.3% of the country. Walking or biking are activities that are better undertaken during the day, as night hours get unpredictable for safety. It depends on what part of New Orleans you are walking in. If your plan is to go other places perhaps it would be a good idea to post where you are going for feedback. Lower 9th Ward 9. If you are thinking about moving to New Orleans and raise a family, theres no better place to live than Gentilly Woods. The entire area was hard hit in the Katrina flood disaster of 2005, and it is rather plain to see that the area has not recovered. Still, beware of pickpockets and scammers who prey on distracted tourists here. The neighborhood also has Upscale restaurants and elegant mansions line the peaceful streets around Tulane and Loyola universities. Read: https://www.areavibes.com/new+orleans-la/florida/crime/. This neighborhood offers a suburban feel and good k-8 education. We are not representatives of the U.S. embassy and we are not related to the U.S. government. In our vernacular, "north, south, east and west" are usually replaced by "lakeside, riverside, downtown and uptown" - which doesn't tell you much of anything if . On the whole, I find New Orleans to be pretty safe for most people. New Orleans, though it may be a fun and exciting place to visit, is one of the most dangerous places to live with high crime and poverty rates. Enjoy exploring Vieux Carre, but do everything you can to avoid getting pickpocketed or scammed. A pizza-slice-shaped area thats wedged in between the 11th ward to the south and the Warehouse District to the north, its now regularly touted as one of the more upcoming areas of town, offering edgy art galleries and rich Mardi Gras Indian heritage. Others do have some enticing things to see and do, like the food halls of Saint Roch or the art galleries of Saint Claud, however you will have to be extra careful if you do decide to venture in. Compared to the rest of Louisiana, New Orleans is more dangerous than 91% of all the communities. Only 35% of survey respondents say that, citywide, New Orleans is safe. The violent crime in this part of the city is 383% higher than the national average and your chance of becoming a victim when here is 1 in 10. Read: https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/n/french-quarter-new-orleans-la/. What Are The Pros and Cons Of Living In New Orleans. The general atmosphere of drinking and debauchery makes it a no-go zone, particularly at night (it's tamer during the daytime, but also not particularly interesting for kids). New Orleans is a vibrant and exciting place-which is why it can be so comforting to have a quiet place to call home in the city. While this city continues to rank as one of the best areas to live in the country, some neighborhoods in New Orleans should be avoided at all cost. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. We currently have a hotel booked at the southern edge of the seventh ward, just 2-3 blocks from I-10. Watch this Video! In addition, New Orleans suffers from a higher risk of tornadoes than the rest of the United States. Females traveling alone are expected to walk accompanied if passing by at night. In Pines Village, you have a 1 in 9 chance of being a crime victim. Not good. The Lower Ninth Ward has a bad reputation but it is one of my favorite parts of the city--I wouldn't recommend just wandering on your own but we had an awesome time with Ninth Ward Rebirth Bike Tours. We kept an eye on our surroundings but have felt perfectly safe every time. Just like most neighborhoods in New Orleans, it also has a small population. Ones a whole other US territory, replete with shimmering quartz beaches and bumping spring breaker towns on the Mexican Gulf. NOLA is like any other major US city in regards to crime. New Orleans is one of the greatest places in the world to eat, drink, and party. In fact, New Orleans is consistently included in the top 100 most dangerous cities in the US. While the violence has been on the decline in years, it is worth mentioning that crime rates are 296% greater than the national average where violent crimes are 519% greater. This neighborhood is one of the most crime-ridden areas in the city. There is a glimmer of hope, though. Thats helped us gauge wheres good and wheres not, but still doesnt tell the whole story, since some places might have had just one or two bad years and others might be improving. Few hotels come recommended with great reports. As for terrorism, New Orleans is considered a realistic target, though city officials recently implemented a series of crime-fighting technologies that will prepare it to prevent and react to acts of terrorism. New Orleans has also partnered with the FBI to prevent and respond to terrorist threats. There are only 91 commissioned officers in the area, which is most officers assigned in a New Orleans neighborhood, yet it still not enough. A lot of people dont let their kids play around this neighborhood due to the amount of violence taking place here. Although Gravier Street is a standard one-way street, one of its most infamous intersections is with South Claiborne Avenue, a part of US Highway 90 . While the city is doing its best to prevent crimes from happening in this neighborhood, the amount of crime hasnt even slightly reduced. The plan is to walk straight to I-10, then to our destination, and . 3,813 people fancies themselves in this neighborhood as it is considered the most renowned. 120 %; Saint Roch. But after dark, dont stray past that boulevard into other parts of Central City, which are areas to avoid in New Orleans. Property crime takes 80% of the total crime reported in 2018 confirming the high incidents of thefts. Editors note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has some dangerous areas that should be avoided, but they are far from the usual tourist landmarks. From 2018 FBI crime statistics, the total crime per 100,000 residents is 10,300, out of which violent crime of recorded as 1,832 and property crime 8,468. What is the safest area to stay in New Orleans? Cap Black is the superhero inspired brand name for Nadra Enzi's creative advocacy of three cardinal principles: crime prevention . Your chance of becoming a victim of a crime here is one in 19. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49626655', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Frenchmen St. at night, esp alone. Consider Central Business District for its safety and immaculate streets lined with fine dining and upscale shopping. All Rights Reserved. Lake Vista is known for its bird street names and homes facing a lane or sidewalk, rather than a street. Following closely are Theft and assault. Unsafe Areas To Stay Away From - New Orleans Forum. They and other drivers from neighboring Parishes and states fill the streets of New Orleans every day. The relaxing neighborhood of Audubon focuses on Audubon Park, which has jogging and bike trails, an 18-hole golf course, as well as shaded picnic spots surrounded by soaring oak trees. We love the Treme neighborhood and had a great afternoon visiting (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The other is unquestionably one of the most dangerous places in New Orleans, known sometimes as, simply, the Projects hey, weve all seen The Wire, right? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-49623631', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Garden District, MidCity, etc.) Figures show that the overall crime rate is something like 350% up on the national average, while violent crime is soaring at more than 600% above the national average. You also dont want to be caught in the dark in this neighborhood if you care about your safety. 111 \% Population 1,427. According to the LSU Center for Analytics & Research in Traffic Safety, in one recent year, Orleans Parish . One final note regarding places to avoid in New Orleans: The. Another crime-ridden neighborhood in New Orleans is the Lower 9th Ward. Touring Canal Street should be safe, especially via streetcar, but dont go too far southwest of Canal, as it can be dangerous and is considered one of the places to avoid in New Orleans. For both, the police presence takes care of the unmentioned incidents. Staying safe in New Orleans at night means following a few general rules and using common sense: When youre preparing to go out, stash only your ID, a single credit card, your phone, and, if necessary, a small, easy-to-manage purse. West Lake Forest 8. New Orleans can be dangerous, especially if you find yourself in the wrong neighborhood. According to the report, the 7th District of New Orleans East, the 5th District, which includes, St. Roch, the Lower 9th Ward, Desire, Holy Cross neighborhood and the 7th Ward, have the highest rate of major violent crime in the last six months. But is it a safe neighborhood? Cash thefts are improbable as little to no incidents have been recorded during public rides. 156 \% Central City. I took off and was glad to see a patrol car not long after. Tulane-Gravier. There were a lot of people killed in the project in 1994. Read: https://www.areavibes.com/new+orleans-la/central+city/crime/. Audubon Overall SnackAbility 10 /10 Population: 16,424 Violent Crimes Per 100k: 269 All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. While safety is not questionable in this neighborhood, visitors are advised to avoid night exploration, especially females that are alone. Credit card scams are also common in the French Quarter, so only withdraw money from established banks. However, the difference is that the dangerous areas in The Big Easy are spread out all over the city. Answer 1 of 9: There seems to be a wide range of ideas regarding safety in the city, so just trying to get the best answer I could. There are a lot of hotels that come recommended in this neighborhood. Desire 10. Is there any areas in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Travelers should use common sense, follow practical safety tips, stay in the citys safest areas, and know the areas to avoid in New Orleans to keep themselves safe. Once you . Unsafe Areas in New Orleans Been reading a fair amount on unsafe areas in N.O. At the Morris Bart law office, our team serves victims of dangerous drugs throughout the greater New Orleans area. As of early 2012, however, some portions seem do seem at least on the . During the day, public rides are free of mugging, so your purses and wallets filled with cash are safe. More police details and community projects are being enacted, and theres still hope that fortunes can be turned around. S Claiborne Ave & Gravier St. Here are the 7 best neighborhoods in New Orleans. Interestingly, there's no crime data from the year 2020, so these statistics are from the last report dated in 2018. This upscale area in New Orleans is one of the safest neighborhoods with its low crime rate. Located at the far western edge of Planning District Nine, Pines Village neighborhood is another place known for its crimes. The police force in the West Lake Forest neighborhood is frequently understaffed, making response times longer. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Population 6,398. Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. 112 \% Seventh Ward. Property crime had more theft incidents, 2,335. However, keep in mind that the Mid-City neighborhood has a pretty well-known group of youth bike, bicycle, moped, and car thieves. . It was concentrated back in the late 90s - the 1980s and 1990s until 2005 when it slowed down due to the hit. The neighborhood of Seventh Ward shows to have very high-risk crime, poor transportation, poor social services and educations, and poor employment opportunities. Here is a guide to what to see and do all over town. French Quarter, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In a total crime report of 11,997 per 100,000 residents, while violent crime is 2,424, property crime falls as 9,573 with high cases in the order of theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. For a lawyer like me, that statistic is JUST BONKERS. To steer clear of New Orleans crime, the usual travel safety advice applies: Stay in well-lit areas where there are plenty of people, take someone you know along with you, walk alertly and with confidence, and do all you can not to look like a touristin New Orleans, this includes refraining from wearing Mardi Gras beads unless its actually Mardi Gras.