Is Lee’s Summit Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is part of the Kansas City bi-state area, located on the southeast corner of the metro area.

It’s close enough to be urban, far enough away to be rural, and enough of its own city to be a vibrant suburb.

The city has received several accolades, from being one of the safest in the state to being listed as an “Ideal American City” to getting the honor of one of America’s “Great Neighborhoods.”

While there’s no arguing Lee’s Summit is a suburb, there’s a downtown that gives it little more life than traditional strip malls.

Just wait until we go through all the things to do a Lake Jacomo.

Even there, you can enjoy the park or take a literal walk through history.

Wild animals?

It has that, too, at the Native Hoofed Animal enclosure, and the city is very dog-friendly, providing obstacle courses for pets who need a break from a long road trip.

Plenty of hotels are available in the city and in nearby safe communities, making Lee’s Summit a safe and smart choice for a visit to Kansas City.

Warnings & Dangers in Lee’s Summit

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, with violent crime rates half the national average. We do need to talk about the theft rates, however. With plenty of things to do in Lee's Summit and the expansive Kansas City Metro area laid out before you, there's much more reward than risk.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

An express bus is available to downtown KC during the rush hours, but other than that, you'll either need your own rental car or rely on taxis and rideshares. All options are low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk, with an average of 104 pickpockets or purse snatchings reported each year over the past five years. Car break-ins make up 36% of theft rates, too, so take extra steps to protect your personal stuff.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The severe and winter weather potential makes a medium risk throughout the year, but all weather worries come with plenty of warning if you're paying attention. Tornadoes are possible, but severe thunderstorms are more likely. Winter doesn't always have snow on the ground, but the potential for big snowstorms runs from November through March.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

While theft is a big problem here, robberies are not. Just 10 robberies were reported in 2020, making the rate 1/8th of the national average.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Since it's part of a big metro area, there's a medium risk. Lee's Summit would not be a target by itself. Homeland Security issues a Terrorism Advisory Bulletin to keep up with ongoing risks of international and domestic terrorism. You can sign up for alerts to get that information.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Going hand-in-hand with theft, fraud was up 45% in 2022. The largest category is ATM/Credit Card fraud. Avoid using ATMs and write down your credit card information in case cards get lost or stolen.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women will love all the amenities of Lee's Summit, so there's a low risk.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Lee's Summit had another year with no violations and full compliance in 2022, and the full details of water quality and water treatment are available on the city's website.

Safest Places to Visit in Lee’s Summit

It’s great to see a suburban community have an official tourism site, which you can visit at lstourism.com.

A visitor’s guide and relocation guide are available for download without giving personal information.

You can sign up for a newsletter using your email.

All social media sites for the tourism bureau are @lstourism.

Downtown Lee’s Summit is a tree-lined charming neighborhood offering everything from an early morning cup of coffee to late-night food options.

Unique stores are mixed in with options like tattoo parlors, spas, and flower shops.

Learn more about downtown at downtownls.org.

Look for musical bingo, trivia night, or karaoke on the schedule at several restaurants and bars.

Visit Jackson County Parks & Rec (not to be confused with Johnson County across the border in Kansas), where you can find all the amenities at Lake Jacomo at Fleming Park.

The 970-acre lake is popular with boaters and anglers, with limited boat regulations to allow for smooth sailing.

Fishing includes carp, crappie, and catfish, among several others.

The park includes the Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure has bison, elk, and deer, but you can’t feed the animals.

Another highlight at this park is the Missouri Town Living History Museum, where you’re transported back to the Civil War era among two dozen historic buildings.

You’ll fill up your Instagram with photos of this unique experience.

The tour is self-guided, but interpreters in costumes share a slice of life from the 19th century.

That park is the crowned jewel of the Jackson County Park System, but there are 29 more to explore.

The James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife area is a more natural wonderland, with more than 3,000 acres to explore.

The Lee’s Summit History Museum will answer the question “Who is Lee and where’s the Summit?” and so much more.

Rotating exhibits are brought in throughout the year.

The city also has an amphitheater, theater group, and symphony.

You can check the schedule on the tourism website.

Places to Avoid in Lee’s Summit

You don’t have to avoid any neighborhoods in Lee’s Summit as it is safe across the board.

The entertainment districts and ongoing festivals will have a higher petty theft risk, so use extra caution during those events.

Since the city has a robust nightlife, you’ll want to avoid drinking and driving.

Police here don’t have a whole lot to do, so you can bet they’ll be looking for intoxicated drivers, especially after big events like St. Patrick’s Day or Downtown Days in June.

Avoid walking on the ice in winter on any of the lakes unless there is express permission to do so.

This part of the country doesn’t get cold enough to have deep ice on the lakes.

If you want to ice fish, head to a more northern state like Minnesota.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Lee’s Summit

So... How Safe Is Lee’s Summit Really?

There were 143 violent crime incidents in 2022, most of which were aggravated assaults.

15% of those assaults were against strangers, and over the past five years, 11% of violent crimes were against strangers.

That means the low risk of the city is even lower for tourists.

The violent crime rate is less than half the national average.

Homicides were up 200% in 2022, with six homicides reported.

Those tragic cases were all involving people who knew each other and even family members in a few incidents.

No strangers were victims, and the homicide rate is generally no more than two per year going back five years.

Thefts are a bit of a different story, being 20% higher than the national average and rising more than 23% in 2022.

After thefts focused on cars (break-ins and accessory theft), shoplifting was the top category.

Your biggest risk here will be petty theft, and the risk is greater for those who leave cars unlocked or don’t practice smart personal safety.

How Does Lee’s Summit Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

International travelers will need a visa or visa waiver, if they qualify, to get into the country. A passport is also required, and make sure it's not within six months of expiring from your departure date.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use here. KCI airport offers currency exchange, but you'll get the lowest fees if you exchange currency at your home bank. Carry as little cash as possible and use credit cards to get better fraud protection.

Weather

You'll dress for each season, and KC gets the full brunt and beauty of each one. Leave some options for layers because Midwestern temperatures are notoriously volatile. For example, I live in the Midwest, and it was 65°(F) two days ago, and now heavy snow is falling in spring. Bring bug spray because the humidity breeds a lot of mosquitos, and ticks are found in the wooded area.

Airports

Kansas City International Airport is on the other side of the metro area, about 45 minutes away, but it is all highway driving. Check the MoDOT traffic details before you go to see if there are any delays. During the high volume traffic times, you should give yourself 75 minutes to get to the airport.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance offers peace of mind to a place with the potential for extreme weather. Even weather out West can cause a ripple effect of delays.

Lee’s Summit Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Missouri - Safety by City