How Safe Is South Walton?

[Smiling JOe]

How Safe Is South Walton? I'm asked this question quite often. Most recently, by some customers, over the weekend. Here is a real example which plays into the nature of people living in, and visiting, South Walton.

This past week, a friend was visiting and we stopped at Queen Bee Cupcakes for a tasty afternoon snack. My friend set down her credit card/driver's license holder as we sat in the Adirondack chairs, enjoying the sweets. Later that night, she realized that she didn't have it, and we knew that she last had it at Queen Bee Cupcakes. She panicked a bit, but I sent one of THE Queen Bees a message, asking her to look for it. Bright and early the next morning, I received a reply that they had her case, and that it looked to be intact.

Given the many honest people whom I've witnessed here in South Walton, I wasn't too surprised. I was happy for my friend, but not surprised at all. We are blessed to be in the presence of so many considerate people. When I made the announcement to my friend, she was ecstatic! According to one of the Queen Bees, the guy working the cupcake stand that afternoon, had seen the wallet and collected it, waiting for my friend to come back and collect it. A big thank you to that man, whose name I don't know, and to Queen Bee for employing him.

 

[seagrovegirl]

 

[joho]

Most sowallers are honest............it's been proven over and over in situations that have occured with friends of mine. That's why South Walton is such a wonderful place to live and raise children.

 

[scooterbug44]

Yep - I found that if you want to get rid of something at the curb you actually have to put a sign on it - otherwise people won't touch it!

 

[John]

I think South Walton is generally a very safe place. Just don't leave your bicycles unlocked.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Or your cars, or your homes. And don't leave important things in the back of your truck overnight.

I do worry that folks get a false sense of security, because there is crime here, but not to the level of large cities or even neighboring counties. Most of the thefts are burglaries instead of actual robberies. And, unfortunately, we do have some wayward youths, and "carhopping" is a common activity.

General safety precautions do go a long way, though.

 

[Here4Good]

Or your cars, or your homes. And don't leave important things in the back of your truck overnight.

I do worry that folks get a false sense of security, because there is crime here, but not to the level of large cities or even neighboring counties. Most of the thefts are burglaries instead of actual robberies. And, unfortunately, we do have some wayward youths, and "carhopping" is a common activity.

General safety precautions do go a long way, though.

Excellent advice - I think sometimes our visitors forget that this is not an imaginary world.

I am more frightened here of car accidents than I am of crime, though. I am completely amazed that there are not serious pedestrian-auto collisions on 30a every day.

So, if visitors ask you if it is safe, tell them it's still the real world. Lock your doors and look both ways before crossing the street, and FTLOG pay attention to where you are driving.

 

[shellak]

Excellent advice - I think sometimes our visitors forget that this is not an imaginary world.

I am more frightened here of car accidents than I am of crime, though. I am completely amazed that there are not serious pedestrian-auto collisions on 30a every day.

So, if visitors ask you if it is safe, tell them it's still the real world. Lock your doors and look both ways before crossing the street, and FTLOG pay attention to where you are driving.

last year, we had items stolen from several vehicles in our blue mountain beach subdivision. also had mailboxes smashed. but the vehicles were not broken into - people foolishly left their cars unlocked. you might as well put a "steal me" sign on the car! i also know some people who do not lock their house doors, which doesn't make any sense. it might have 50 years ago but not anymore. i would also suggest women not go walking on wooded, secluded paths by themselves. i'm not trying to scare people but as a former prosecutor, i am very aware of the potential for bad things to happen, just because of a lack of awareness or too much complacency.

 

[Beach Runner]

We were worried about theft when we had expensive pool furniture. But no problem with theft -- just the harsh Florida climate. The furniture was hand-made from cypress with a marine varnish. Gorgeous. But it only lasted a year -- it rotted.

We replaced it with Wal-Mart stuff. Couldn't deal with spending a bunch of money on pool furniture again.

Hubby used to keep his gas credit cards in the console. One night at a nice restaurant on Highway 30A, he forgot to lock the SUV. Someone stole the credit cards and a new pair of sunglasses. They never attempted to use the credit cards. My guess is that it was kids.

 

[scooterbug44]

Sowal is a relatively safe/crime free place, but you should still use some common sense. Criminals could have a field day in Sowal w/ all of the unlocked things and unattended bags, wallets, cars w/ keys in them etc. :roll: