Risk of Crime in Ft. Lauderdale

The intelligence you need to prevent & prepare for threats

Crime in Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Get Street-Level Insights

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has a rich history that adds to its contemporary allure. Initially famous for being a trading post and homesteaders' community, it evolved through various economic changes from the notorious Spring Break destination of the past to a sophisticated coastal city. Crime rates have fluctuated over time, with efforts in place to reduce crime in Ft. Lauderdale, leading to improvements in recent years. However, like many cities, it experiences issues with thefts, break-ins, and violent crime in certain areas. With a significant influx of tourists year-round, there's a dedicated focus on maintaining safety in bustling areas.

The city's popularity surged in the 20th century, branding it as a prime vacation spot. This transformation didn't come without challenges, as the surge of visitors occasionally led to disorderly conduct and an uptick in crime rates. Nevertheless, in response to crime in Ft. Lauderdale, local authorities and community programs have strived to improve safety and security, combating the negative impressions and aiming to ensure safe environments for both tourists and residents. Despite occasional protests and civil unrest related to national issues, Ft. Lauderdale generally boasts a peaceful atmosphere, where protests, when they occur, are customarily peaceful and well-policed.

Ft. Lauderdale is renowned for its beautiful waterways and beaches, earning it the moniker "Venice of America." It's a boating paradise with a reputation for both upscale and laid-back beach life, drawing people who enjoy the marine lifestyle and sunny weather. The city's vibrant arts scene, dining, and culturally diverse neighbourhoods also contribute to its unique identity, with local events often celebrating this diversity.

Local Security Tips

  • Beachfront Areas: Keep an eye on personal belongings and be wary of pickpockets. Swim in lifeguard-patrolled zones and stay vigilant about local sea conditions.
  • Las Olas Boulevard: While shopping or dining, maintain awareness of your surroundings, especially at night, and park in well-lit areas or attended lots.
  • Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District: Attend events in groups and stick to populated and lit paths if walking at night.
  • Intracoastal Waterway: When enjoying boat tours or waterside walks, keep your valuables secure and be cautious of petty theft.

Local Regulations

Firearm Policy

Florida law permits the carrying of a concealed weapon, but only with a valid Florida Concealed Weapon License. Openly carrying firearms is generally not permitted. Ft. Lauderdale has gun-free zones that must be respected, including schools and government buildings.

Public Drinking Policy

Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited in most public places in Ft. Lauderdale, including streets and beaches. However, licensed open-air cafes, bars and restaurants typically allow it within their premises.

Emergency Contact Lists

Department for non-emergency services

Ft. Lauderdale Police Department - Non-emergency: +1 (954) 764-4357

Leading Hospitals

  • Broward Health Medical Center: +1 (954) 355-4400
  • Holy Cross Health: +1 (954) 771-8000
  • Plantation General Hospital: +1 (954) 587-5010
  • Fort Lauderdale Hospital: +1 (954) 463-4321
Schedule Demo
Crime in Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Make Data Driven Security Recommendations

Crime in Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Know the neighborhood

Boundary maps make it easy to see the varying risk profile of communities within a city.

Crime in Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Identify hotspots

Heat maps demonstrate specific areas where relevant activities are known to be concentrated.

Crime in Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Delve into the details

Drill down to the latitude longitude of individual events for maximum context informing security recommendations.

See More

Trusted by proactive security leaders

Street level intelligence for EP teams is an absolute game-changer. If you're not aware of what this is, the implications, and how this benefits large full scope enterprise teams as well as individual operators, you're behind the curve. I highly recommend folks in the EP space check out Base Operations. Over the last 5+ years, the level of data collected, ingested and analyzed is nothing short of extremely impressive.

Patrick M
360 Privacy
Vice President

Base Operations informs our strategic and routine security planning across the world. The unmatched granularity of micro-intelligence supports our supply chain security planning and dramatically improves our travel security guidance.

Richard Pace
Director of Personnel Security and Organizational Resilience

Quickly became our key risk evaluation tool for event, travel, and office security. New use cases developed weekly from real estate to leadership insights. Great platform!

Richard Chambers
Director Physical Security & Compliance

In the past 5 days I haven’t closed Base Operations. I give It a 10 out of 10.

Dean Geribo
Moderna
Head of Corporate Security