California : Safety by City
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Inglewood is a city in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
The thing you’d probably recognize most in this city is Randy’s Dougnut sign.
It’s been in many movies and TV shows over the years.
Inglewood is also home to the new SoFi stadium that houses the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.
This stadium is home to the 2022 Super Bowl and the College Football Championship in 2023.
The Hollywood Park Casino is also in this neighborhood.
It’s getting more crowded in that area with the Intuit Dome being the future home of the L.A. Clippers, opening in 2024.
You also can’t get much closer to Los Angeles International Aiport (LAX) than Inglewood.
You’ll also find plenty of car rental businesses in this area because of the proximity to the airport.
Inglewood also brought us some great stars spanning many generations, including Omarion, Vicki Lawrence, Tyra Banks, Ester Williams, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys), and Reggie Theus.
Warnings & Dangers in Inglewood
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk overall in this neighborhood. It's in a major metro area, which is going to see more crime, and it can be one of the busiest areas when an event is happening at SoFi Stadium, leading to more criminals looking for crimes of opportunity. It's also close to one of the biggest airports in the nation, which means more traffic from outsiders constantly, causing more potential for crime.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk. Taxis and public transportation are strictly governed by the city and state, plus if you arrive at LAX there is a short drive to your Inglewood location. This is the best city to get a rental car with so many options.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk with crime statistics showing a one in 79 chance of being a victim of a theft.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
California and the Los Angeles area are at a medium risk of natural events like earthquakes and wildfires. It doesn't mean these events will happen often, but when they do it can get really bad quickly. Wildfire smoke can ruin air quality or shut down freeways. Earthquakes can cause major destruction, though on average the shakes from the quakes are noticeable but not destructive.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
There's a one in 300 chance of being a robbery victim here, but we're going to still give it a medium risk because chances are you are in Inglewood for a big event that could bring out more criminals. It's important to keep your belongings close to your body. Buy tickets ahead of time if you can, so you don't have to carry a lot of cash and credit cards. If someone does rob you, don't fight back. You can report a crime online or call 911 if it's an emergency.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk here being that L.A. is one of the biggest metro areas in the country. Especially during big events like the Super Bowl, the terrorism experts in the country are keeping a watchful eye. It's wise to always abide by the "see something, say something" rule when it comes to ANY suspicious activity, deserted package, or concerning behavior by a person.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk of scams. While no scam data exists for this area, when you consider the sheer number of travelers who come through this area, the other higher crime rates, and the brazen potential of criminals in a large metro area, scammers are more likely than not. Remember basic scam safety—if it seems too good to be true, it is.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
We're going with a medium risk here. While gender-specific crime data isn't given, there are about 50 rapes on average a year in Inglewood, and the crime rates are higher than the United States average, it's good advice for women to travel in pairs and avoid dark streets at night. There aren't a whole lot of tourist destinations in Inglewood outside of the big draws, so there's little reason to be in a neighborhood at night.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
In 2021, all tap water in Inglewood was compliant with state and federal standards, giving it a low risk.
Safest Places to Visit in Inglewood
There is less concern about the safest place to visit in Inglewood and more about the few places there are to visit that would draw a tourist in.
If you are in Inglewood for fun, you are probably here for a visit to the stadium or Hollywood Park Casino.
SoFi Stadium is one of the most policed parts of town when there’s a big game or event there, so you feel safe while still practicing the best personal safety steps.
The Foum is an iconic entertainment venue that underwent renovation in 2014.
Randy’s Dougnuts brings tourists in for the food as much as the iconic sign.
There’s also a branch of the popular Southern California chain “Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles”, a combination that sounds a little odd but is worth trying because it’s surprisingly delicious.
Fun fact:
Chicken and Waffles first became an American dish in the 1930s at an after-hours restaurant.
Being that it was “too late for dinner but too early for breakfast”, this dish was created to satisfy both appetites and has been popping up across the country ever since.
Edward Vincent Jr. Park covers 55 acres in Inglewood and has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
The safest time to visit here is between sunrise and sunset.
Avoid it at night, especially if you are alone.
Places to Avoid in Inglewood
In 1995, Tupac Shakur wrote a song about California Love, and in the closing lyrics, he bellowed “Inglewood is always up to no good”, a lyric that is stuck in my mind as I write this entire piece.
Does it hold true now?
Not really.
The crime rate is higher than in the average American city.
Over the past 10 years, it averages about 14 homicides a year.
It’s not up to no good as much as it’s trying to rectify that reputation by building a safer, more tourism-friendly community.
The city is only 9 square miles, so there aren’t many places to avoid in a city that isn’t that large.
You should not be in random neighborhoods, especially after dark.
This is a city where the median income is in the $40,000’s yet the average price of a home is around $700,000.
While this writer has NO idea how anyone can afford a home there based on that salary, there are some more run-down neighborhoods in Inglewood.
A city can’t be all that unsafe for tourists if, in the entire metro area, it was chosen to house some of the biggest sports franchises in Los Angeles and bring in some of the biggest performers of our time to The Forum.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Inglewood
- If you are visiting during an event at SoFi stadium, get ready for a parking and traffic nightmare. On top of that, the city has taken steps to protect homeowners from having too many tourists parking in the neighborhoods and giving locals priority. Visit the IPARKANDGO website to get shuttle service to and from the area.
- If you are the victim of a minor crime that isn’t an emergency, you can file a report online. The Inglewood Police Department has an online form where you fill out all the details and submit them. You must have a valid email address to use this form of reporting.
- You’d think a city like Inglewood, smack dab in the center of a massive metropolitan area and not on the coast, wouldn’t have coyote concerns. Coyote sightings have surged since 2016, and the city now has a Coyote Management Plan, complete with alert levels for sightings and potential attacks. While the animals are not an imminent threat to people, they should not be fed or have any human interaction. Family pets should be kept leashed in this area or under the watchful eyes of owners. Call the police if you spot a coyote.
- Slow down. The 405 runs through the west side of Inglewood and the California Highway Patrol says it has seen an increase in people driving more than 100 miles per hour on freeways. In the spring of 2020, more than 4000 citations for speeding 100 + mph were issued between March 19 and April 30. If you see signs reading “Slow the fast down,” now you know why!
- If you see a crime in Inglewood, you can report it anonymously (and possibly be eligible for a reward). You can call 1-800-222-8447 or download the P3 Tips app on your phone. Some people are scared to report crimes for fear of retaliation, and this is a way to do so safely and anonymously.
- Hollywood Park Casino is a bit of an oxymoron. It’s not in Hollywood, it’s in Inglewood. It’s not a park, it’s a casino. It’s not the casino you’d think it would be. This is a cards-only casino. No slots or dice machines. If you like poker or Pai Gow, this is the place for you. You might be able to watch a celebrity tournament or two while you visit.
- Looking for the perfect time to visit Inglewood? How about the summer of 2028? That’s when the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics will be held in Inglewood. You might want to book that hotel room now if you can, however, as they’ll go fast.
- Day in and out, you might find really good hotel deals in Inglewood compared to the rest of the L.A. area. It’s important to realize that outside of a big event you are attending at one of the entertainment or sporting venues, there isn’t much else to do in Inglewood and there are neighborhoods with lower crime rates nearby. Remember, you get what you pay for.
- If you do rent a car in Inglewood, don’t park in an alley. It’s illegal and your car can get towed. Even if you have to pay for it, find safe parking that is legal and under security supervision.
- It’s also illegal to spit on the streets, sidewalks, or any public property or mode of transportation in Inglewood.
So... How Safe Is Inglewood Really?
We broke down the crime numbers from 2019, which are the latest the city has provided:
- Robbery: 1 in 300 chance
- Larceny/Theft: 1 in 1356 chance
- Aggravated Assault: 1 in 260
- Rape: 1 in 2112
- Violent Crime (in general): 1 in 160
You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of your visit to Inglewood.
For touring the greater Los Angeles attractions, there are safer communities that might cost a little (or a lot) more.
If you are just there for a game or event and only plan on going to the hotel and venue and back, then you should be fine.
If you just need to be close to the airport, this offers that convenience.
It’s just not a city where you’ll want to go wandering around as you would other, more tourist-centric areas.
How Does Inglewood Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Inglewood |
68 |
 Calais |
88 |
 Jonesboro |
71 |
 Valentine |
78 |
 Stamford |
84 |
| Fontana |
68 |
 Pensacola |
69 |
 Nazareth | 58 |
 Beijing | 75 |
 Sana’a | 36 |
 Matamoros | 35 |
 Iquique | 42 |
 Freeport | 60 |
Useful Information
Visas
All the Visa requirements are handled at the port of entry or airport. You'll just need a legal ID for certain activities like gambling or drinking. You'll also want that ID if you are going to be driving a rental car.
Currency
Only U.S. Dollar currency is accepted here. A lot of the entertainment venues allow you to buy tickets ahead of time and use your smartphone for proof of purchase. This helps avoid having to pull out cash or credit cards.
Weather
It's going to be hard to find a day that's higher than 85°(F) or lower than 43°(F). June - October you'll get the warmest weather. Inglewood gets less than 14" of rain per year, so there's a good chance you won't need a raincoat, but if you have traveling luck as I do, bring one just in case.
Airports
I keep telling you that LAX is so close, and I mean it—it's just 3 miles away. It just makes the most sense to fly into LAX if you are staying in Inglewood. Hollywood-Burbank Airport is 27 miles away, the Long Beach Airport is 23 miles away, and John Wayne Airport is 41 miles away.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a wise choice when flying into such a busy travel region. Wildfires can freeze air traffic, overbooking and flight delays on the East Coast can cause a ripple effect on the West Coast, and other unforeseen travel interruptions just make it a safe bet to get insurance on this trip.
Inglewood Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 19 |
| Low °C |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 |
| High °F |
66 | 66 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 72 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 73 | 70 | 66 |
| Low °F |
48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 57 | 61 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 59 | 54 | 48 |
Inglewood really knows how to pack in the stars and stadiums, but I guess that donut sign is the real celebrity we all come for, right?
I didn’t realize how much history Inglewood has, especially with all those stars coming from there; it’s wild to think about the talent that’s emerged from such a small place.
Didn’t realize how much talent has come out of Inglewood; it’s cool to think about all those stars!