Many people search for information about the “safest” and “most dangerous” neighborhoods in Lanham for understandable reasons. Whether you’re thinking about moving, planning to open a new business, or reacting to news about recent incidents, it’s natural to want a clearer picture. Still, it’s important to remember that labels like “dangerous” don’t always tell the whole story, and neighborhood statistics can miss important context.
This article provides an overview of Lanham’s crime statistics to help you better understand the reported risks and rewards of different neighborhoods, and how these figures can impact residents’ interactions with law enforcement.
Lanham Crime Statistics
Looking at aggregated crime data for Lanham is a good starting point. Compared to communities across the country, CrimeGrade assigns Lanham an overall C‑ and places it around the 36th percentile for safety (safer than 36% of U.S. cities, less safe than 64%). CrimeGrade describes a C‑ as slightly higher crime than the average U.S. city.
In Lanham:
- Chance of Violent Crime: Lanham residents have a 1 in 235 chance of being the victim of a violent crime.
- Chance of Property Crime: Your odds of experiencing a property-related crime in Lanham, like a burglary or theft, are about 1 in 38.
- Crime Rate by Area: The city experiences approximately 97 crimes per square mile annually, which is significantly higher than the national median rate of 26.5 crimes per square mile.
These numbers help provide a context for the level and type of crime local families and businesses might encounter.
Crime Statistics in Different Parts of Lanham
Residents typically view the eastern section of Lanham as the safest part of the area.
Throughout Lanham, the stats vary:
- In the east, your odds of being a victim of crime are about 1 in 65, significantly better than in other parts of the city.
- The southeastern part of Lanham sees the least crime, with only about two incidents reported annually.
- In central neighborhoods, your chance of becoming a victim increases to about 1 in 18.
- The central area of Lanham experiences the highest number of total crime incidents each year, with nearly 160 reported incidents annually.
The exact numbers depend on which source you look at, but generally, the eastern part of the city is the safest.
Neighborhoods Ranked by Reported Crime Rates
When considering moving to or operating a business in Lanham, knowing which areas have lower crime rates can offer peace of mind.
Based on available data, a ranking of neighborhoods from least to most reported crime is as follows:
- Greenwood Forest
- Seabrook
- Good Luck Heights / Seabrook Acres
- Seabrook Park Estates / Whitfield Woods
Each year, Lanham police report roughly 48 violent crimes and about 295 property crimes, totalling 343 incidents annually. While crime statistics alone don’t define a community, they can be a helpful guide.
How Neighborhood Crime Can Affect Policing—and You
Neighborhood crime rates can have a serious impact on how police operate and how innocent residents are treated. If you live or travel in an area that’s seen as “higher risk,” it’s essential to understand how this could potentially affect your life and ensure you know your rights.
Police frequently allocate more resources to neighborhoods with higher reported crime rates. This could be the case in the central parts of Lanham or any area that the data labels as “dangerous.”
Residents often experience more frequent traffic stops, even for minor or questionable reasons. There may also be an increase in stop-and-frisk encounters on the street, where individuals get investigated based at least partially on the neighborhood they are in.
Know Your Rights During Encounters
With more regular patrols comes more surveillance, meaning everyday activities can draw greater attention from law enforcement.
If you live in or travel through areas with more patrol activity, understanding your rights is essential:
- Traffic stops: You must provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance. You may ask whether you are free to leave and whether a search is requested or required.
- Stop-and-frisk / Terry stops: Officers need reasonable suspicion for a brief detention and a pat-down for weapons; probable cause is required for an arrest. Laws and procedures are nuanced—context matters.
If you’re cited, arrested, or have questions after an encounter, a defense lawyer can review the basis for the stop or search and assess whether evidence may be suppressible.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys to Speak With a Lanham Criminal Defense Attorney Today
At Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys, we recognize how over-policing can result in unfair or excessive charges for ordinary individuals in these communities. We can examine how and why officers stopped, searched, or questioned you, and determine if we have the grounds to suppress any improperly discovered evidence.
If you’re facing charges or you have questions about any type of criminal matter, we’re here to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a Lanham criminal defense lawyer today.
For more information, contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys to schedule a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, and Waldorf.
We proudly serve Prince George’s County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Charles County and the surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Lanham
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste 201 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 262-7005
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Frederick
25 E Patrick St #200 Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 381-1993
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Rockville
11140 Rockville Pike 550-J Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 364-3195
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys Waldorf
8 Post Office Rd, Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 857-4771