Is Mesquite Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Visiting Mesquite, Texas, offers a blend of historical charm and modern appeal in a dense suburb just east of Dallas.

Mesquite started as a small depot town along the Texas & Pacific Railway, serving as a pivotal point for agriculture.

Today, it has grown into a vibrant suburban city.

Known as the “Rodeo Capital of Texas,” the city hosts the famous Mesquite Championship Rodeo, a thrilling event that showcases authentic cowboy culture and attracts visitors from all over the country.

In all honesty, Mesquite has gone through growing pains.

The fast-growing city saw a population boom, but the infrastructure never really caught up to it.

Now, the city is in transition, trying to find a balance of things to do for the 150,000 people who live there and the thousands that visit each year.

It seems there’s always a new announcement about the new amenities coming to Mesquite, and at the intersection of several major interstates, that makes sense.

However, be prepared for the traffic that brings.

Warnings & Dangers in Mesquite

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk in Mesquite due to higher-than-average crime rates, a limited number of things to do, and high traffic volume.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Mesquite opted out of the DART system that caters to the Dallas area, but there is a shuttle called Mesquite Compass that can get you to the closest station (Lawnview Station if you want to look it up). You can also look into the on-demand service called STARNow, which services Mesquite. Taxis and rental cars are other options. You definitely don't want to rely on bicycling or walking in Mesquite or the Dallas area.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Despite sky-high theft rates, the pickpocket and purse snatching numbers average about five a year. However, don't think about leaving your purse in your car to avoid it getting stolen. Car break-ins are much more likely than purse snatchings. Statistically, it's a low risk, but I'd use a lot of caution when walking around with any kind of purse or wallet here.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The entire Metroplex is prone to severe thunderstorms, damaging straight-line winds, and possible tornadoes, starting with the biggest risk in spring. Storms can happen throughout the year. Excessive heat, drought, flash flooding, and wildfires are other risks that can impact everything from air quality to driving safety. Winter weather is rare, but even a little snow and ice can be devastating to the region and make the traffic even worse.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

About 28% of all robberies were highway robberies over the past five years. That's with a robbery rate that is 28% higher than the national average. I'd treat this as a medium risk and definitely use caution, even when doing something simple like pumping gas.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Dallas and Fort Worth will always be at medium risk due to the population size and central business hubs here. In addition, Mesquite is now home to an Army ammunition plant, which could be considered another hard target. However, all the elevated risks come with an abundance of safety and security. The best thing a visitor can do is report any suspicious activity to the local police.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams because Mesquite has a lot of fraudsters coming up with creative ideas. You're also likely to be panhandled or swindled out of money by people with a sob story of needing gas money or food for their babies. Like my ex-boyfriend once told me, "Always look as poor as possible so nobody would even think of asking you for money." Seriously, you need to be on guard in Mesquite and treat this as a medium risk.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Statistically, men are more likely to be victims of violent crimes. However, women should keep their guard up, especially if they aren't used to being in a high-crime area. Don't drive around after dark and stick with a friend or family member when exploring Mesquite.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 Water Quality Report shows one violation, which was a failure to report lead and copper levels in the water. The issue was resolved in June 2023. Other than that, all standards were met.

Safest Places to Visit in Mesquite

The tourism website for Mesquite is visitmesquitetx.com.

It’s important to use that exact address because the website for Mesquite, Nevada, is very similar, and the two even use the same color scheme.

You can also learn more specifically about downtown at the website downtownmesquitetx.com.

The Facebook page for upcoming events is @DowntownMesquiteTX.

Front Street Station is one of the newest projects downtown, hosting farmer’s and maker’s markets, with new restaurants and shops along the way.

Mesquite Arena hosts the Mesquite Championship Rodeo on Saturdays from June through August.

Several hotels are near the arena, but you’ll need to book as early as possible to get events.

The rest of the year, other events take over the arena, like the monster truck rally.

Mesquite Arts Center hosts year-round performances, from off-Broadway shows to the symphony.

This is a great way to get a taste of culture while exploring Mesquite.

The City Lake Aquatic Center is a must-see stop during the scorching summer months.

Several pools, slides, and foundations are there to cool off in and enjoy a hot summer day.

While you’re at City Lake, consider fishing or kayaking in the water or maybe sticking around for a scenic sunset.

A trail runs along the perimeter of the lake if you need a morning run or a casual walk.

Opal Lawrence Historical Park and Florence Ranch Homestead are two historical spots in Mesquite that are available for group tours.

This would definitely be one of the safest and most educational things to do.

Places to Avoid in Mesquite

Mesquite Police have an interactive crime map on their website where you can define the search parameter to see crime hot spots.

Between a mix of research, the crime map, and anecdotal reports on social media, it would be easier to tell you the place NOT to avoid.

While each part of the city has high reports of crime, the parts south of Bruton and June Lake should be avoided unless you have a particular reason to go there.

Most of the hotels here are right off the interstate, but don’t let that give you a false sense of safety.

I found a video of a woman who ate at a local restaurant while traveling across the state.

Her car was broken into, and her credit card attempted to be used fraudulently in less time than it took for her to eat lunch.

There’s also a Facebook group called Mesquite Crime Reports And Crime Watch and Crime Prevention that you can join to learn more from people who live there.

Since Dallas has higher crime rates overall, the issues in Mesquite don’t seem to be as bothersome as you’d expect.

If you’re from a high-crime area, you might feel the same way.

I would definitely avoid staying in Mesquite without using the crime map to see what the risks are near the places you plan to visit.

I recommend searching for car break-ins, assaults, individual robberies, and homicides.

Even if you just plan to get off the interstate for food and/or gas, I wouldn’t recommend doing it in Mesquite.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Mesquite

So... How Safe Is Mesquite Really?

Mesquite isn’t really that safe of a city, though it’s hard to pinpoint where things go sideways.

The city grew fast with population, homes, and amenities, becoming a dense suburb.

From there, it appears nothing was done to improve infrastructure as the Metroplex kept growing.

What’s particularly head-scratching about Mesquite is that, despite rather egregious crime rates, people who live there complain more about the traffic and lack of nightlife than the nearly 1,000 guns that were confiscated in 2023.

Violent crime rates are 17% higher than the state average and 28% higher than the national average.

About one-third of violent crimes happen against strangers, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but many cities I’ve researched in Texas are closer to 10%.

Another stand-out point is that another third of violent crimes happen in private homes, where other cities are closer to 50%.

Violent crime is high, mostly due to aggravated assaults, which are 30% higher than the national average.

Theft rates are 72% higher than the national average.

About 45% of all thefts were related to car break-ins or accessory thefts, which is the largest theft category in Mesquite.

Shoplifting is second, accounting for 28% of all thefts.

Car thefts are nearly averaging four a day in Mesquite, with 2023 being the highest rate of car thefts in Mesquite since 2014.

If you’re just looking for a place close to Dallas to visit, there are better options (on the north side of the city) than Mesquite.

How Does Mesquite Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Winters err on the side of mild but don't rule out a cold spell or a little snow/ice. Summers can be hot and humid, to the point of suffocating during extreme heat. Plan to wear light, loose fabrics that are breathable. Plan to sweat a lot, too. You'll need bug spray and sunscreen.

Airports

Expect the 37-mile drive to Dallas Fort Worth International to take at least an hour if you're driving during the rush hour. Even the 17-mile drive to Dallas Love Field can take an hour during peak traffic times.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a great idea to protect against weather delays or cancelations. Plus, you need theft coverage, rental car insurance, and basic emergency healthcare coverage if your policy isn't valid in the U.S.

Mesquite Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City