Cities have invested hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in improving their urban areas in hopes of attracting more businesses, residents and visitors. One way theyāve spent that money is by building arenas and stadiums that host major professional and collegiate athletics.
Unfortunately, the projects designed to bring people can also bring unwanted activity, like violent crime, to the area. With a rise in crime in many cities across the United States, BetCarolina.com broke away from North Carolina sports betting updates and created a ranking system to find the safest NBA arenas for spectators. We created a ranking system that factors in the crime rating, total crime index, fanbase ranking and crime grade. All metrics are based on the exact city and zip code of each teamās stadium or arena.
We found the Charlotte Hornets were the 11th-most unsafe NBA team for fans.
Ranking NBA Arena Safety
Rank | Team | Total Score |
|---|---|---|
1 | Memphis Grizzlies | 24 |
2 | New Orleans Pelicans | 32 |
3 | Philadelphia 76ers | 37 |
T4 | Orlando Magic | 39 |
T4 | Golden State Warriors | 39 |
6 | Atlanta Hawks | 41 |
7 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 43 |
T8 | Washington Wizards | 45 |
T8 | Indiana Pacers | 45 |
10 | Portland Blazers | 48 |
11 | Charlotte Hornets | 49 |
12 | Houston Rockets | 54 |
T13 | Denver Nuggets | 55 |
T13 | Toronto Raptors | 55 |
15 | Milwaukee Bucks | 58 |
Neighborhoodscout.com was used to find the violent crime and total crime index; Reddit.comās subreddit r/nba was used to find the fan behavior ranking; CrimeGrade.org was used to find the crime grades. The higher the score, the safer the arena.
How To Reduce Your Odds Of Becoming A Victim
Arenas are hubs of activity on game nights, including before and after the game. Fans may arrive early to grab dinner or hang around late for a nightcap at a local bar. Others may come down looking to buy or sell tickets or just to be part of the scene.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has a list of personal safety tips to help people avoid becoming crime victims. Its Crime Prevention Unit says criminals look for three criteria in their next target: āvulnerability, accessibility and availability.ā
Officers also recommend people āwalk with authority.ā That includes keeping their heads up and scanning the area around them. People should also avoid walking in dark areas, like alleyways, and standing alone on street corners or bus stops. It also helps to carry a cell phone or a safety device. However, not all safety devices are allowed in arenas, so be sure to check the policies online before carrying them.
Besides those tips, BetCarolina.com also recommends that people make sure they keep their purses or other belongings secure as they walk. Placing your wallet in a front pants pocket or an interior pocket of a jacket is also advised. If you and your friends disperse after the game, make sure everyone reports getting home or to their hotel safely.
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