How Safe Is South Walton?

[Smiling JOe]

How Safe Is South Walton? I'm asked this question quite often. Most recently, by some customers, over the weekend. Here is a real example which plays into the nature of people living in, and visiting, South Walton.

This past week, a friend was visiting and we stopped at Queen Bee Cupcakes for a tasty afternoon snack. My friend set down her credit card/driver's license holder as we sat in the Adirondack chairs, enjoying the sweets. Later that night, she realized that she didn't have it, and we knew that she last had it at Queen Bee Cupcakes. She panicked a bit, but I sent one of THE Queen Bees a message, asking her to look for it. Bright and early the next morning, I received a reply that they had her case, and that it looked to be intact.

Given the many honest people whom I've witnessed here in South Walton, I wasn't too surprised. I was happy for my friend, but not surprised at all. We are blessed to be in the presence of so many considerate people. When I made the announcement to my friend, she was ecstatic! According to one of the Queen Bees, the guy working the cupcake stand that afternoon, had seen the wallet and collected it, waiting for my friend to come back and collect it. A big thank you to that man, whose name I don't know, and to Queen Bee for employing him.

[seagrovegirl]

[joho]

Most sowallers are honest............it's been proven over and over in situations that have occured with friends of mine. That's why South Walton is such a wonderful place to live and raise children.

[scooterbug44]

Yep - I found that if you want to get rid of something at the curb you actually have to put a sign on it - otherwise people won't touch it!

[New Yellowfin]

I think South Walton is generally a very safe place. Just don't leave your bicycles unlocked.

[ShallowsNole]

Or your cars, or your homes. And don't leave important things in the back of your truck overnight.

I do worry that folks get a false sense of security, because there is crime here, but not to the level of large cities or even neighboring counties. Most of the thefts are burglaries instead of actual robberies. And, unfortunately, we do have some wayward youths, and "carhopping" is a common activity.

General safety precautions do go a long way, though.

[Here4Good]

Or your cars, or your homes. And don't leave important things in the back of your truck overnight.

I do worry that folks get a false sense of security, because there is crime here, but not to the level of large cities or even neighboring counties. Most of the thefts are burglaries instead of actual robberies. And, unfortunately, we do have some wayward youths, and "carhopping" is a common activity.

General safety precautions do go a long way, though.

Excellent advice - I think sometimes our visitors forget that this is not an imaginary world.

I am more frightened here of car accidents than I am of crime, though. I am completely amazed that there are not serious pedestrian-auto collisions on 30a every day.

So, if visitors ask you if it is safe, tell them it's still the real world. Lock your doors and look both ways before crossing the street, and FTLOG pay attention to where you are driving.

[shellak]

Excellent advice - I think sometimes our visitors forget that this is not an imaginary world.

I am more frightened here of car accidents than I am of crime, though. I am completely amazed that there are not serious pedestrian-auto collisions on 30a every day.

So, if visitors ask you if it is safe, tell them it's still the real world. Lock your doors and look both ways before crossing the street, and FTLOG pay attention to where you are driving.

last year, we had items stolen from several vehicles in our blue mountain beach subdivision. also had mailboxes smashed. but the vehicles were not broken into - people foolishly left their cars unlocked. you might as well put a "steal me" sign on the car! i also know some people who do not lock their house doors, which doesn't make any sense. it might have 50 years ago but not anymore. i would also suggest women not go walking on wooded, secluded paths by themselves. i'm not trying to scare people but as a former prosecutor, i am very aware of the potential for bad things to happen, just because of a lack of awareness or too much complacency.

[Beach Runner]

We were worried about theft when we had expensive pool furniture. But no problem with theft -- just the harsh Florida climate. The furniture was hand-made from cypress with a marine varnish. Gorgeous. But it only lasted a year -- it rotted.

We replaced it with Wal-Mart stuff. Couldn't deal with spending a bunch of money on pool furniture again.

Hubby used to keep his gas credit cards in the console. One night at a nice restaurant on Highway 30A, he forgot to lock the SUV. Someone stole the credit cards and a new pair of sunglasses. They never attempted to use the credit cards. My guess is that it was kids.

[scooterbug44]

Sowal is a relatively safe/crime free place, but you should still use some common sense. Criminals could have a field day in Sowal w/ all of the unlocked things and unattended bags, wallets, cars w/ keys in them etc.

[Beach Runner]

Sowal is a relatively safe/crime free place, but you should still use some common sense. Criminals could have a field day in Sowal w/ all of the unlocked things and unattended bags, wallets, cars w/ keys in them etc.

I know. It was just a brain freeze that he left the car unlocked. He never does that.

[scooterbug44]

I know. It was just a brain freeze that he left the car unlocked. He never does that.

I wasn't directing that at you - was just thinking of some places I have lived where you rode public transportation w/ your hand on your wallet/in your front pocket because pickpockets/petty theft were so prevalent.

[Dia]

Or your cars, or your homes. And don't leave important things in the back of your truck overnight.

I do worry that folks get a false sense of security, because there is crime here, but not to the level of large cities or even neighboring counties. Most of the thefts are burglaries instead of actual robberies. And, unfortunately, we do have some wayward youths, and "carhopping" is a common activity.

General safety precautions do go a long way, though.

yup! We've had things stolen out of our car (parked in our driveway)

[SHELLY]

...not as safe as it used to be--just like everywhere else in the USA.

You can either take someone's word for how "safe" the area is or you can lock your doors; watch your kids; and secure your possessions to make it so. How many TV interviews of bystanders at a crime scenes begin, "Nothing like this has ever happened around here before."

.

[30ashopper]

I've never locked my car at the grocery or outlets or restaraunts or any place else for that matter over the last nine years I've lived here. I guess I have too much faith in the area.

I also love the fact that this is a great free roam area for kids. When I lived in San Fran, I always felt sorry for my friends kids, their parent watched over them like hawks. Down here I see young kids running around, riding bkies, having fun.. reminds me of my time as a kid.

[Carol G]

I wasn't directing that at you - was just thinking of some places I have lived where you rode public transportation w/ your hand on your wallet/in your front pocket because pickpockets/petty theft were so prevalent.

I still can't get over the fact that one day, while living in Chicago, my wallet was stolen out of my ZIPPERED purse, while I was walking down Milwaukee Avenue, running errands. I had it at the post office and carefully zipped it back into the center section of my purse; when I went to pay for my purchases at the consignment store 15 minutes later, it was gone. And my purse had been zipped back up. I never felt a thing. I ran home, immediately called my credit card company, and the thieves were at that moment attempting to use my card at the grocery store across the street from where I had been shopping. I took some small satisfaction in the fact that the Visa rep was able to decline the charges while I was on the phone with her.

I'm a door-locker, ingrained city habit that I will never lose. Other SoWallers have made fun of me for this, but unfortunately in the world we live in, it's the wise thing to do. I have learned though, that if someone really wants your stuff, locks and zippers and precautions are not going to stop them. Better to let it go, and let karma do its thing - it always does eventually.

[Beach Runner]

I wasn't directing that at you - was just thinking of some places I have lived where you rode public transportation w/ your hand on your wallet/in your front pocket because pickpockets/petty theft were so prevalent.

Oh, I know. But it was still a careless thing for him to do.

He has also left the sunroof and windows down in the SUV twice in the past few months and an unexpected rainstorm came up. The console had an inch or so of water in it. It took the seats several weeks to dry.

[ShallowsNole]

I've never locked my car at the grocery or outlets or restaraunts or any place else for that matter over the last nine years I've lived here. I guess I have too much faith in the area.

I also love the fact that this is a great free roam area for kids. When I lived in San Fran, I always felt sorry for my friends kids, their parent watched over them like hawks. Down here I see young kids running around, riding bkies, having fun.. reminds me of my time as a kid.

Not to pop your bubble, but you do have absolutely too much faith in the area. And I would hope that the areas you are seeing the kids roam are in resorts or in neighborhoods where the whole "village" looks out for them.

Just sayin'...