USA Travel Safety

[Winnipeg]

I have heard people say they are afraid to travel to US cities due to the risk of getting shot by a wayward bullet.

This seems rather extreme. I have been to many US cities albeit several years ago and noticed nothing that would deter me from visiting a city in the US any more than any other big city.

Have things changed? Should people be worried to the point they do not even bother to go?

 

[skatingguy]

Considering a 15-year-old died last week in Vancouver from a stray bullet, I'd say it can happen anywhere. Being in the wrong place at wrong time is not a country specific issue.

 

[Winnipeg]

Excellent point. Sad, but true

 

[ilovepaydays]

I would say that most U.S. cities are very safe. But I would definitely do research on which neighborhoods to stay away from. And take time to know your navigation before exploring around. It’s also a good idea to be alert of your surroundings - especially don’t spend too much time staring down at your phone while walking.

But I think these are good tips anywhere you travel - not just U.S. cities.

 

[vesperholly]

I have heard people say they are afraid to travel to US cities due to the risk of getting shot by a wayward bullet.

There's a name for this but I can't remember - like recency bias. Because a rare event is widely publicized, it seems more common than it is. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases

Getting shot by a stray bullet is extremely rare. You're much more likely to be hit by a car in a city. I also think drivers are worse in some European cities than American ones. I can't count how many times I almost got swiped by a moped zipping around a corner in Rome.

I suspect that people who say things like that are just fearful and/or inexperienced travelers in general.

 

[Winnipeg]

I agree with all your comments

 

[Vagabond]

I have heard people say they are afraid to travel to US cities due to the risk of getting shot by a wayward bullet.

This seems rather extreme. I have been to many US cities albeit several years ago and noticed nothing that would deter me from visiting a city in the US any more than any other big city.

Have things changed? Should people be worried to the point they do not even bother to go?

Violent crime in the U.S. is down significantly from its levels in the 1980's and '90's. Even then, the risk of being struck by a wayward bullet was much greater in certain specific neighborhoods which foreign tourists almost never visited.

I hope you come visit and enjoy yourself.

 

[Winnipeg]

I will! Chicago is on my list as well as a return to San Francisco

 

[Aceon6]

FWIW, many of the stray bullet incidents have been associated with celebrations and big street festivals. We had one in our town over the July 4th weekend with an idiot shooting into the air. No one was hurt.

 

[IceAlisa]

Reminds me of when people asked me if there are bears on the streets in Russia.

 

[jeffisjeff]

Reminds me of when people asked me if there are bears on the streets in Russia.

Well, consider that the person who started this thread is the same person who posted this:

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...equent-flier-miles.96961/page-27#post-5265176

 

[IceAlisa]

Well, consider that the person who started this thread is the same person who posted this:

https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...equent-flier-miles.96961/page-27#post-5265176

Understood

 

[Vagabond]

Reminds me of when people asked me if there are bears on the streets in Russia.

Bears on Russian Streets

We have bears on the streets here in San Francisco too, but they aren't that kind of bear.

 

[IceAlisa]

Bears on Russian Streets

We have bears on the streets here in San Francisco too, but they aren't that kind of bear.

I saw a picture of a bear in a Russian bar recently. I wish I could find it.
I don't need to post a picture of bullets flying, I hope.

 

[Vagabond]

A bear walks into a bar....

 

[Kruss]

Unfortunately, a lot of the people shot in Chicago are the victims of stray bullets meant for others. The gangs shoot at each other and a lot of people have gotten injured and killed by being hit - either the people are in the way of the shooting, or bullets are going into building and homes nearby and striking people.

 

[StasiyaGalustyanLove]

My wife and I like to visit Albuquerque but we don't go without our bullet proof vests because of this problem. I have heard that in cities like Detroit and San Diego, you can't even walk outside of your car because you will be shot within a matter or minutes. That is why we're afraid to go to the U.S. Nationals event next year. May be the weather will be very rainy and high water on the streets will keep the criminals away.

It would be an easier decision to go if Keegan Messing still skated for the U.S. and we would be able to see him live again.

 

[Vagabond]

My wife and I like to visit Albuquerque but we don't go without our bullet proof vests because of this problem. I have heard that in cities like Detroit and San Diego, you can't even walk outside of your car because you will be shot within a matter or minutes. That is why we're afraid to go to the U.S. Nationals event next year.

I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

 

[ballettmaus]

My wife and I like to visit Albuquerque but we don't go without our bullet proof vests because of this problem. I have heard that in cities like Detroit and San Diego, you can't even walk outside of your car because you will be shot within a matter or minutes. That is why we're afraid to go to the U.S. Nationals event next year. May be the weather will be very rainy and high water on the streets will keep the criminals away.

I'm sorry, but I can't tell if you're serious or joking.

 

[IceAlisa]

I'm sorry, but I can't tell if you're serious or joking.

I thought it was a troll once I read it Olympic wishes.

 

[Prancer]

I'm sorry, but I can't tell if you're serious or joking.

You can't?

 

[manhn]

Who are all these people who won't visit the US because it is so dangerous?

 

[Vagabond]

I thought it was a troll once I read it Olympic wishes.

Having done a bit of sleuthing, I would say it's this without this and with a sense of humor.

Who are all these people who won't visit the US because it is so dangerous?

Trolls, mostly.

 

[IceAlisa]

Having done a bit of sleuthing, I would say it's this without this and with a sense of humor.


Trolls, mostly.

I wonder if anyone has done a PhD thesis on psychology of internet trolls and if so, I'd like to read it. They are ripe for research.

 

[ballettmaus]

You can't?

Well, the bullet proof vests could be sarcasm, the rest not so much.

 

[Vagabond]

I wonder if anyone has done a PhD thesis on psychology of internet trolls and if so, I'd like to read it.

Probably at least one of our Admins has.

 

[IceAlisa]

Well, the bullet proof vests could be sarcasm, the rest not so much.

 

[Prancer]

I wonder if anyone has done a PhD thesis on psychology of internet trolls and if so, I'd like to read it. They are ripe for research.

Here ya go--sort of. It's not the actual dissertation.

There's actually quite a bit of academic work on trolls. Google away.

Well, the bullet proof vests could be sarcasm, the rest not so much.

Huh. Well, it's always interesting to see how differently people read things.

 

[IceAlisa]

Here ya go--sort of. It's not the actual dissertation.

There's actually quite a bit of academic work on trolls. Google away.

Thanks for the link. There was a link in there to a new concept for me: grief tourists. I love learning things. The article itself was interesting outlining the different forms and motivations of trolls and using comparisons to corporate media but fizzled out in the end calling the phenomenon the product of the nebulous "institutions." That's a pretty wide umbrella to use on all these different trolls, non?

I will look up some more right after I order my new bulletproof vest and the latest model of the Merkava--my commuter car of choice.

 

[IceAlisa]

A look at the more sinister species of trolls. Disclaimer: I am not up on the prestige nor the rigor of peer review of these journals.

Trolls just want to have fun
Wikipedia trolls
Cyberbullies vs. trolls