Thinking about moving somewhere new? Maybe expanding your business? Or just want to know which cities you should be careful about? You’re definitely not alone in wondering about this stuff.

The problem is, there’s so much conflicting information out there. One website says a city is super dangerous, another says it’s fine. Crime stats can be confusing, and honestly, a lot of headlines are just trying to scare you.

So we decided to cut through the noise. At Tycoon Guards, we work with businesses all over the country, and we see what’s really happening on the ground. We dug into the actual FBI data, looked at local police reports, and checked recent trends to give you the real story about the most dangerous cities in America for 2025.

Whether you own a business, you’re thinking about relocating your family, or you just want to stay in the know, this guide will help you understand what’s actually going on and how people are keeping themselves safe.

Let’s Start With Some Good News

Before we get into which cities have problems, here’s something that might surprise you: crime in America is actually going down. Between 2023 and 2024, violent crime dropped 4.5% across the country. Property crime fell even more at 8.1%. That’s real progress.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Those national numbers don’t show you the full picture. Some cities are doing way better than others. And even in cities that are considered “dangerous,” the crime isn’t spread out evenly. Usually, it’s concentrated in certain neighborhoods, while other parts of the same city are doing just fine.

Think about it like this: if someone tells you a restaurant has bad reviews, you’d want to know more, right? Is it just one dish that’s bad? Is it only bad on certain nights? The details really matter.

That’s why things like security cameras video surveillance and professional monitoring have become so important these days. They help people figure out exactly where the problems are and deal with them quickly when they pop up.

The 5 Cities With the Highest Crime Rates in 2025

Okay, let’s get into it. Based on actual FBI data and what local police departments are reporting, here are the cities with the highest violent crime rates per 100,000 people:

1. Memphis, Tennessee

Violent Crime Rate: Between 2,356 and 2,421 per 100,000

Memphis has been at the top of these lists for years. But if you actually talk to people who live there or dig past the scary headlines, you’ll find out it’s way more complicated.

Here’s What’s Actually Going Down:

Yeah, Memphis does have problems with gang violence, carjackings, and assaults. Most of that happens in specific spots like Downtown, Frayser, and Whitehaven. But check this out: murders dropped from 156 in 2023 to 129 in 2024. Robberies went down almost 30%. And auto thefts? Down 30% thanks to something called “Operation Zero.”

Oh, and here’s something wild: Memphis had 4.3 billion visitors in 2025 who spent $4 billion there. Why would people visit if it’s so dangerous? Because the tourist spots like Beale Street and Graceland are actually pretty safe. They’ve got visible security presence and modern video surveillance camera systems watching everything.

What This Really Means:

Memphis isn’t dangerous everywhere. The suburbs like Germantown and Collierville? They’re some of the safest places in Tennessee. It really comes down to knowing which neighborhoods to stay out of and which ones are actually doing great.

2. St. Louis, Missouri

Violent Crime Rate: Between 2,082 and 2,141 per 100,000

St. Louis has this reputation as America’s murder capital, and honestly, the numbers kind of back that up. The homicide rate is often over 60 per 100,000 people, which is way higher than the national average.

Why the Crime Stays High:

Gun violence is the big problem, especially on the north side of the city. Drug trafficking along the highways doesn’t help. Plus, the city’s been losing population for decades, which actually makes the crime rate look worse. Same amount of crime, but fewer people to spread it across.

Places like Jeff Vander Lou and Hyde Park are struggling with poverty, empty houses, and not enough jobs. When people don’t have opportunities, crime tends to fill that gap.

But Here’s What Nobody Talks About:

Neighborhoods like Central West End, Soulard, and Lafayette Square? They’re safe, beautiful, and getting nicer all the time. Young professionals and families live there without problems. A lot of businesses have put in video surveillance security systems in their areas, and it’s actually made a real difference in keeping crime down.

The area around the Gateway Arch and Ballpark Village gets heavy police patrols during the day and it’s pretty safe. Just be more careful at night, like you would in any big city.

3. Detroit, Michigan

Violent Crime Rate: Between 2,052 and 2,085 per 100,000

Detroit’s had this reputation for years. For a long time, it was basically the poster child for dangerous American cities. But 2025 is telling a different story.

The Problems Are Still Real:

Theft is still the biggest issue. There were over 15,000 theft cases in 2023. Property crimes happen at about 3,000 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 2,000. Gun violence is still a problem, especially in neighborhoods like Brightmoor, Oakwood Heights, and Delray.

But Check Out What’s Happening:

In the first three months of 2025, violent crime dropped 15.2%. Property crime went down 15.1%. That’s huge. Actually, 2023 had the lowest number of murders Detroit’s seen in 57 years.

Neighborhoods like Palmer Woods, Corktown, and Midtown are safe and actually thriving. Downtown Detroit, the Riverwalk, and the Detroit Institute of Arts get tons of visitors and are well protected. Lots of business areas now have full video surveillance systems working alongside more police presence.

What This Means for Businesses:

Detroit’s security infrastructure is getting better, and combined with tax breaks and other incentives, plus professional video surveillance services, the city is becoming more attractive to companies than it’s been in a long time.

4. Baltimore, Maryland

Violent Crime Rate: Between 1,833 and 1,931 per 100,000

Baltimore has this complicated thing going on with crime. The city’s been famous for violence, but it’s also showing some of the fastest improvements in the whole country.

What’s Still a Problem:

Car theft is absolutely out of control. Over 11,000 cars were stolen in 2024. That’s basically one car every single hour. Drug violence is still happening in some areas, and neighborhoods like West Baltimore, Cherry Hill, and Pulaski are still risky, especially after dark.

But Here’s the Amazing Part:

Murders dropped 36% between 2023 and 2024. Shootings where people didn’t die went down 30%. Those are serious improvements that don’t get talked about enough in the news.

Where It’s Actually Safe:

Roland Park, Parkville, Canton, and South Baltimore are solid, well maintained neighborhoods where families live normal lives. Downtown and the Inner Harbor area have strong security presence with lots of security cameras video surveillance because of all the tourists.

Baltimore’s economy actually grew 3.5% in 2023, which beat the national average. When the economy gets better, crime usually goes down.

5. Cleveland, Ohio

Violent Crime Rate: Between 1,557 and 1,725 per 100,000

Cleveland has the highest violent crime in Ohio, with about 1,703 incidents per 100,000 people. That’s way above what the state and country average.

What’s Causing the Crime:

Crime driven by poverty in certain neighborhoods, lots of car thefts, and drug dealing in places like Central Kinsman, Hough, and Glenville keep the numbers high. Not enough good jobs in the worst areas makes it tough to fix things.

The Good News Though:

Early 2025 data shows murders dropped almost 30%. That’s a massive improvement and shows that focused policing and community programs are actually working.

What It’s Like for Regular People:

The citywide numbers don’t show what life is really like in the safer suburbs or business districts that have good police coverage. A lot of these areas have modern video surveillance camera systems that help keep crime low.

How Smart Business Owners Protect Themselves

If you run a business in one of these cities, you already know that just locking the doors and hoping for the best doesn’t work anymore. That’s not a real security plan.

The businesses that stay safe do two things: they have trained people and they use smart technology. That’s where Tycoon Guards comes in. We help businesses protect themselves with professional security services and cutting edge video surveillance systems that work together.

Why Real Security Guards Matter

There’s just no replacement for having actual people on your property. Our trained security guards do way more than just stand around looking tough.

They stop problems before they even start because criminals see them and think twice. They respond right away when something goes wrong. They control who gets into your building. They walk around your property on a regular schedule. They stay calm and handle emergencies the right way. And they work together with your video surveillance security systems to give you complete coverage.

Video Surveillance Isn’t What It Used to Be

Remember those old security cameras that just recorded fuzzy video that you’d only look at after something bad already happened? Yeah, those days are over.

Today’s video surveillance services are completely different. Modern video surveillance camera systems can actually spot threats while they’re happening. AI powered security cameras video surveillance catch break ins the second they start. They can identify weapons automatically. They pick up on sketchy behavior. They detect fire and smoke. They alert you when someone crosses your perimeter.

Our video surveillance system means there’s always someone actually watching, not just recording. You get someone looking at the situation immediately when something seems off. There’s direct communication with your people on site. We coordinate with emergency services. We notify the police automatically when it’s needed.

Good video surveillance security systems need to be set up right. Every door in and out needs coverage. Parking lots and the edges of your property need monitoring. Areas where you handle cash need cameras. There shouldn’t be any blind spots anywhere. Places where lots of people come and go need protection.

Guards Plus Cameras Equals Real Protection

When you put security guards together with advanced video surveillance systems, you get protection that’s way better than either one alone.

You get human judgment backed up by technology. Things get handled faster when incidents happen. You have clear evidence for whatever situation comes up. You get fewer false alarms that waste everybody’s time. And you get coverage around the clock that actually makes financial sense.

Your Security Plan Should Match Your Business

Every business is different, right? A retail store faces different problems than a warehouse or an office building. That’s why we don’t just give everybody the same cookie cutter solution.

We look at your specific situation and make a custom plan. We check out the crime patterns in your exact neighborhood. We figure out the perfect video surveillance camera system setup for your space. We think about when you’re open and how many people come through. We figure out what you need to protect the most and how to keep your workers and customers safe. And we make it work with your budget and your plans to grow.

Why You Really Need Video Surveillance in High Crime Areas

If your business is in a high crime area, a professional video surveillance system isn’t something nice to have. It’s absolutely necessary. Here’s why.

It Stops Crime From Happening:

You know what criminals really hate? Being watched. When they see security cameras video surveillance, they usually decide to go somewhere else. Research shows that businesses with good video surveillance security systems have 50% to 70% fewer problems. That’s not a small improvement. That changes everything.

It Gives You Proof:

High quality video surveillance camera systems give you clear evidence for police investigations with actual faces, license plates, and exact timing of what happened. They help with insurance claims so you’re not stuck in a “he said, she said” situation. They settle arguments between employees with facts instead of guesses. And they protect you when someone tries to blame you for something that wasn’t your fault.

It Helps You Run Things Better:

Beyond just security, video surveillance services help you see how productive your team actually is. You understand how customers move through your space and what they do. You spot problems with how things are running that you’d never notice otherwise. And you figure out how to serve customers better.

You Can Manage Everything From Anywhere:

Modern video surveillance systems let you check live video feeds from your phone while you’re at home. You get alerts instantly on your phone when something happens. You can look at recorded video from anywhere you are. And you can keep an eye on multiple locations without having to drive all over town.

Why Business Owners Work With Tycoon Guards

Running a business in one of America’s most dangerous cities doesn’t mean you just have to accept that bad things might happen. With the right security partner, you can actually protect your employees, your stuff, and your peace of mind.

Tycoon Guards has been helping businesses stay safe in tough areas for years. We get that crime isn’t the same in every part of a city, and we build our video surveillance security systems and guard services around where you actually are and what you specifically need.

Here’s what you get when you work with us. Experienced, licensed security personnel who actually know what they’re doing. Custom designed video surveillance camera systems that are built specifically for your space. Professional video surveillance services with real people watching everything all day and all night. Quick response when something goes wrong. Regular check ins and updates as things change. Direct connections with the local police. And solutions that can grow with your business.

What You Get With Our Video Surveillance System

When you partner with Tycoon Guards, you’re not just buying some cameras. You’re getting crystal clear high definition security cameras video surveillance. Night vision that works even when it’s completely dark. Cameras that can handle weather if they’re outside. You get to choose between cloud storage or keeping everything local. A mobile app so you’re always in the loop. Alerts that you can set up however you want. Professional installation so you don’t have to mess with it yourself. And ongoing tech support whenever you need help.

Bottom Line: How to Actually Stay Safe

America’s most dangerous cities in 2025 have real problems. But they’re not like war zones or anything. Crime happens in specific neighborhoods, while other parts of the same cities are safe, growing, and full of good opportunities.

For businesses and people who live there, success is about understanding where the actual risks are and taking smart steps to protect yourself. That means getting professional security measures with trained guards and modern video surveillance systems working together.

Here’s the good news: crime overall is going down across the country. Detroit, Baltimore, and Cleveland are all making real progress. The cities on this list aren’t hopeless. They just need smart people making good decisions with accurate information.

The key is pretty simple: stay informed about what’s really happening, pick your locations carefully, and work with security professionals who actually understand what’s going on in each area and can give you complete video surveillance services.

Tycoon Guards is here to help you out. Whether you need security guards at your location, professional video surveillance camera systems, somebody watching things remotely, or a complete protection package, we’ve got the experience and technology to keep you safe wherever your business happens to be.

We combine real human expertise with the latest video surveillance security systems, so your business gets complete protection against whatever challenges these high crime cities throw at you.

Want to talk about what you need? Contact Tycoon Guards today and let’s figure out together how our video surveillance services and professional guard team can protect what matters most to you and your business.

Stay safe out there, stay informed about what’s really going on, and remember that Tycoon Guards has your back for everything related to security and surveillance in 2025.