Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Is Saint Johns safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Saint Johns scores 72/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — St. Johns, Florida is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Saint Johns 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 28 July 2026
72
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~75% of countries
What drives this score
Crime66/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment64/100FairMostly positive
Advisories63Fair
Stability75Good
Health75Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Fair
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-27T09:23:27.0923131-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed or strong‑armed robberies are uncommon but have occurred near downtown St. Johns and in isolated parking lots after dark
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded tourist zones such as the St. Augustine Historic District and during large events
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
64/100
Reported feel71Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler forums and local surveys indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight, but report heightened awareness of pickpocketing and occasional street harassment after dark
Yes — St. Johns, Florida is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance.
The composite safety index of 74 reflects moderate overall safety; crime scores are lower than many U.S. cities, yet recent local reports highlight isolated assaults and scams targeting tourists. Visitor sentiment remains mostly positive, though isolated incidents of violent crime have been recorded.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026SJSO and FHP reported no chase involved in a fatal scooter crash on State Road 16; investigation ongoing— FL Times-Union
- May 2026Aiden Fucci case highlighted a high‑profile murder investigation that sparked community concern over violent crime— FL Times-Union
- May 2026St. Johns man arrested for alleged child sex crimes; local law enforcement increased patrols in residential areas— WILX
- Jul 2025Report of an attempted kidnapping and robbery in St. Augustine; suspect charged with kidnapping, robbery and grand theft auto— facebook.com (NBC 6.)
Common scams
- Tourist‑focused rental scams on short‑term‑rental platforms
- Overpriced taxi fares and informal ride‑share cons
- Fake “charity” collections at popular beach access points
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
St. Johns, Florida is rated moderately safe for travelers. The city’s composite safety score of 74 indicates it is safer than most U.S. locales, yet the crime index sits at 49.2—reflecting a moderate robbery risk and a high pickpocketing risk in busy tourist corridors. Recent data from the live dossier shows isolated violent incidents, including a high‑profile murder case in May 2026 and an attempted kidnapping/robbery reported in July 2025, underscoring that while serious crime is rare, it does occur and can attract media attention.
Visitor sentiment, captured by a consumer‑safety score of 71 (mostly positive), confirms that most tourists feel secure during daylight hours, especially in well‑patrolled districts such as the historic downtown and the beachfront promenades. However, the same reports flag heightened vigilance after dark, with several travelers noting pickpocket attempts in crowded market areas and occasional harassment in isolated beach access points. These experiences align with the high pickpocket rating, driven by dense foot traffic around the St. Augustine Historic District and popular event venues.
Current scams targeting visitors include rental fraud on short‑term‑rental platforms, overpriced or unlicensed taxi services, and fake charity collections at beach entry points. To mitigate these risks, use only reputable, licensed transportation, verify accommodation listings through established channels, and keep personal belongings secured—preferably in a hotel safe. Stick to well‑lit, busy streets after dark, avoid deserted parking lots, and remain alert in crowded tourist hotspots where pickpockets are most active. By following these practical steps, travelers can enjoy St. Johns’ attractions while minimizing safety concerns.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Saint Johns districts for visitors: 1 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Saint Johns safety map.
St. Johns Westsideavoidelevated violent crime and recent shootings, avoid at night
St. Johns Southsidecautionhigher nighttime activity, occasional pickpocketing near bars
St. Johns Eastsidecautionsome gang‑related shootings reported recently, stay alert after dark
St. Johns Northsidecautiontourist‑friendly but occasional scams targeting visitors
St. Johns Historic Districtsaferwell‑patrolled, low petty‑theft rates, popular with tourists
07 · After Dark
Is Saint Johns safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Armed or strong‑armed robberies are uncommon but have occurred near downtown St. Johns and in isolated parking lots after dark
After dark, be most careful around St. Johns Westside, St. Johns Southside, St. Johns Eastside, St. Johns Northside. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Saint Johns's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight70
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight71
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight71
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight70
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight72
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight71
09 · Questions
Saint Johns safety FAQ
Is Saint Johns safe for tourists right now?
Yes — St. Johns, Florida is generally safe for visitors, but petty theft and occasional violent incidents demand vigilance. The composite safety index of 74 reflects moderate overall safety; crime scores are lower than many U.S. cities, yet recent local reports highlight isolated assaults and scams targeting tourists. Visitor sentiment remains mostly positive, though isolated incidents of violent crime have been recorded. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Saint Johns should tourists avoid?
Field research flags St. Johns Westside as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Saint Johns?
- Tourist‑focused rental scams on short‑term‑rental platforms
- Overpriced taxi fares and informal ride‑share cons
- Fake “charity” collections at popular beach access points
How does Saint Johns compare with other places in United States?
Saint Johns ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 72/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this Saint Johns safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More United States reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: saint-johns.json (CC BY 4.0).