"How is safety in Palm Springs? Is it a safe neighborhood?"

However, it's difficult to answer such questions based on just one number.

When looking at crime statistics, it's more important to see which crimes are increasing and which are decreasing rather than just how many occurred.

According to the data released by the Palm Springs Police for 2024, total crimes decreased from 2,467 to 2,288.

Overall, this indicates an improvement in safety. Notably, property crimes such as theft, burglary, and vehicle theft have significantly decreased.

Since many retirees live here, the decrease in crimes like home burglaries and car thefts is good news for residents.

On the other hand, there are concerning aspects. In 2024, there were 5 homicides, which did not occur in 2023.

At first glance, this may seem like a sudden increase. However, Palm Springs is a small city with a population of about 45,000. It's important to view this from the perspective of "how many incidents occurred in a small city" rather than simply comparing it to larger cities.

Assault incidents have also slightly increased, but fortunately, serious assaults resulting in severe injuries have actually decreased slightly. This means that while minor assault reports have risen, significant violent crimes have not increased dramatically.

What I would like to emphasize is the vehicle theft and break-ins that commonly occur in tourist areas. Palm Springs attracts many tourists, and there are thieves targeting rental cars. It's common in the U.S. for a car window to be broken when someone briefly leaves a laptop, bag, or shopping bag inside while going into a restaurant.

Especially for those driving older Hyundai or Kia models, it's advisable to be more cautious. There has been a significant increase in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts across the U.S. for some time, and the effects are still being felt. Installing steering wheel locks or anti-theft alarms can help prevent theft.

That said, there's no need to be overly fearful. In reality, Palm Springs is a city where many retirees live, and there are many gated communities, so quiet residential areas are relatively stable. It's common to see residents walking in the evening, and the overall neighborhood atmosphere is quite relaxed.

Ultimately, in the U.S., maintaining a lifestyle of vigilance is the most important thing in any city. By not leaving valuables in cars, avoiding deserted areas late at night, and securing home doors, most property crimes can be prevented.

In my opinion, Palm Springs is neither "a very dangerous city" nor a place where one can live without any worries. It can be best described as a typical tourist city in the U.S. Many local residents agree that as long as basic safety precautions are followed, it is a city where retirees and families can comfortably live.