Tips on Columbus Warnings or Dangers – Stay Safe!

Columbus Warnings and Dangers

Columbus, Ohio is a fairly safe city. It averages about 60 murders a year, a much lower number than most cities half the size.

East Vs. West

Crime almost always happens on the east side of US 23 (High St.), inside the I-270 belt way. The west side of US 23 is relatively clear of hazards. If you stay away from the high crime zones on the east side, you will have a very positive impression of Columbus.

Littering and Jaywalking

Columbus police and the public safety department are intent on keeping the city clean and safe, and they’re very strict about littering and jaywalking. You could face some stiff fines for either.

Littering: $1,000 fine if the police catch you littering. The police have video monitoring on the side of every police and public works vehicle. They enforce this one big time and depend on it for revenue.

Jaywalking: Cross the street at the wrong time or even when the light blinks red and you’ll get a $100 ticket. The city of Columbus has police at most downtown intersections enforcing this during business hours.

Problem Areas

Despite the extreme clealiness and politeness of Columbus residents, there a few bad areas in the metropolitan area. These include:
East Side- the area bordered from Livingston Avenue on the south to Morse on the north and from Childrens Hospital on the west and Nelson on the east.
West Side- sections near the projects on Mound street can be bad at night.
South Side- Some areas of South Parsons are a bit sketchy after dark.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about warnings and dangers in Columbus.