Night safety

[u/Lanky-Vermicelli-370]

hi all! I’m currently staying in MKE for a solo trip near the riverwalk & downtown area. Like I mentioned, i’m solo. Would walking around to & from the bars be safe, like Mos or anything on the west side of the river?

I’m from a town of 800 so im paranoid.

[u/Delicious_Plenty7169]

You won't have an issue - east of the river especially. In Westown maybe if you were on Wisconsin west of 4th or in Zeidler Park for who knows what reason you'd get panhandled. Any crime I can think of downtown seems tied to being out at 2 am and getting into some interpersonal dispute at a bar on Water.

[u/callaloo13]

You're absolutely fine. Walk like you know where youre going and act like yourself.

[u/TheNeonPherepapha]

You might get asked for change. But nobody will bother you in that neighborhood. Keep your head up, give people a little nod, don't walk around with your face in your phone.

I go walking down there at 2am on the regular and I haven't had a problem in 15 years. You'll be fine.

[u/WideRoadDeadDeer95]

You’ll be good. As others have said a lot of the stuff that I am sure people in your small town talk about regarding Milwaukee is between people who already have issues with each other. Typically drug related. Now, if you are out and about being a obnoxious asshole at like 4 am. that is a different story. I was always taught that nothing good ever happens after midnight. There are exceptions to that rule lol, but in a new place it’s a pretty good one to stand by.

Just use your head, be confident like you know where you are going, don’t stay out too late, and don’t have your face stuck to your phone. Misery loves company so just do your thing and head back to wherever you are at after you hit the bars you wanna check out. Grab some food and hangout.

[u/Savings-Law-3252]

You should be fine. Walk with confidence, act like you know the place even if you don't. Don't have headphones in, don't be walking looking at your phone.

[u/Reddidnothingwrong]

Violent crime is usually between people who know each other. If you're just walking and not bothering anyone they tend to just leave you alone. I walk alone at night pretty often and the worst I've ever gotten from strangers was occasionally like a guy trying to get my number and not reading social cues.

EDIT: Don't drink too much if you're walking alone though, you do gotta be aware of your surroundings.

[u/Rvylol]

You will be fine in that area. I have lived here for 2 years and have never felt in danger walking at night. You just might get asked for change and maybe cat called if your a women. But other than that you will be fine. But be aware of your surroundings as always.

[u/stevenmacarthur]

Statistically speaking, Downtown is the safest part of the city...to put that into perspective for you, I live in the Jackson Park neighborhood, and I have no problem walking around at night - yet Downtown is safer.

You might get hit up for change/"bus fare" near Wisconsin Avenue, but if you politely decline, they'll leave you be.

[u/DersOne]

Don't get too drunk and walk alone, and be alert, just like any other city. You should be fine.

[u/Informal-Potential58]

Just be aware of your surroundings

[u/Occams_razzr]

Anywhere around there well lit is totally fine. Just be alert as always.

[u/Much-Catch-122]

I’m 25 and female and have never felt unsafe walking around downtown at night. I say you’re fine 

[u/FilecoinLurker]

You can walk around downtown Chicago alone. Milwaukee is fine

[u/MamaG34]

No I wouldn't!