Is Louisiana Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

As a visitor, especially one enjoying the nightlife of New Orleans, there are some safety tips that you need to keep in mind as you travel and how you carry your property when traveling.

1. Know what the local scams are in Louisiana. Whether you are planning to take an airboat out on the water or enjoy some fun on Bourbon Street, there are some scammers in the rural areas and cities around trying to prey on those traveling to the area. Do some research on what these scams appear to be. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Let your loved ones know where you will be. While there is plenty of cell service in the cities of Louisiana, if you are out on the bayou, you may be out of range. Let your family and friends know the address and location of where you will be staying in case they need to reach you. Give the contact info for your hotel or Airbnb if that is your preference.
3. Avoid storing money in your back pocket. If you are planning to visit the famous Bourbon Street where there is nothing but walking, dancing, and crowds, then you want to keep your money in a safe place on you. Keeping it in your back pocket is an easy target for pickpockets, and you will lose your money before you can get too many blocks on a busy night.
4. Notify the card companies you are traveling to. Before you even board the first flight, make sure you have made contact with your bank and any credit card company that you plan to use. Let them know you will be traveling to Louisiana and will be making purchases. This will prevent them from freezing your accounts when you are trying to get essentials or buying dinner.
5. Go with a group. If you are heading to Louisiana, you should not be traveling alone. In areas where there is criminal danger, these travelers are the ones targeted first, because they are easy to be mugged or robbed, especially by a group. There is strength in numbers and the chance of your group being outnumbered shrinks with the more people you have.
6. Do not overindulge on Bourbon Street. With lots of walk-up bars and folks enjoying themselves, those who get too drunk are often the victims of petty theft or violent crimes. While it is tempting, try not to drink to the point of drunkenness, so you can walk yourself back to your room and sleep off the alcohol safely.
7. Avoid street ATMs. Unfortunately, most places in Louisiana are not up-to-date with much technology or even cameras. They do, however, have ATMs stashed on corners that you can walk up to and use. While this may seem convenient when you need quick cash, you want to avoid these ATMs unless you are out of options. Consider using the indoor bank services if you are there during business hours. If not, try going to an ATM located within a grocery store, or making a purchase so you can get cashback from the cashier.
8. Opt for bottled water. With so wetlands so prevalent throughout Louisiana, it is probably in your gut’s best interest that you drink bottled water over the tap for the duration of the trip. While you may be okay, the water testing is not as prevalent as other states, so your guarantee of clean water may not always be there. If the water is contaminated, you could become very ill.
9. Avoid dark and sketchy alleys and trails. If something does not look safe or abandoned, do not walk or drive down that area. Consider your instinct that something is not quite right and turn around. If you are traveling around an area like Baton Rouge or New Orleans, areas like these should be avoided for your safety.
10. Check the forecast. Louisiana has its share of natural disasters, with everything from large hurricanes to flash flooding. Before you travel, see if there are any indicators of severe weather before you leave. You could find yourself in a bad storm preventing you from getting to your destination or keeping you in Louisiana if it comes while you are there.