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Mall of America and Family of Boy Thrown from Balcony Reach Settlement

Written by MichaelEhline on January 25, 2025. Posted in Premises Liability Blog.

On December 5, 2022, the lawyer of the family of a young boy who suffered severe injuries at Mall of America reached a confidential settlement in a personal injury lawsuit. Let’s explore the details of the incident with Ehline Law and our retail premises liability personal injury attorneys.

Family of Boy Who Was Thrown from Balcony Reaches Undisclosed Settlement with Mall of America

On April 12, 2019, Emmanuel Aranda, with a history of disruption, threw a 5-year-old boy, Landen, from the third-floor balcony at the Mall of America.

Aranda Pleaded Guilty for Throwing Boy from the Third-floor Balcony at the Mall

The state pressed criminal charges against Aranda, who pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and now faces 19 years imprisonment. According to the lawsuit filed in July 2021, Landen suffered severe and permanent injuries to the face, arms, legs, and other body parts.

The Family of a Boy Who Was Thrown from a Balcony Calls the Recovery a Miracle

Boy’s recovery has been nothing short of a miracle, and the family worked with the Mall of America to reach a settlement and bring policy changes. The complaint alleged that the mall previously banned Aranda for exhibiting suspicious behavior a day before the attempted first-degree murder.

The Lawsuit Alleged Aranda Entered the Mall Due to a Lack of Security

According to the lawsuit, the Mall of America was negligent for not providing adequate security in identifying the man and stopping him.

The Associated Press reported that Emmanuel Aranda threw Landen after several women rejected his advances toward them. Enraged, Aranda entered the mall intending to kill someone and found Landen, grabbing him and throwing the young boy from the third-floor balcony.

The family’s lawyer released a statement stating that the family and the Mall of America are working together to bring policy changes to existing trespass limits for violent criminals to help prevent such persons from entering the mall again and harming others.

Family and Mall of America Jointly Pursuing Policy Changes, Plaintiff’s Lawyer States

In the statement, the lawyer stated that the focus remains on the boy’s recovery and its essential to give the family the privacy they need.

There is no mention of the settlement amount, except that the family spent over $1.75 million in medical treatment and that the affected family sought future medical expenses and non-economic damages, including future income loss, emotional distress, and others.

In the “Mall of America and family of boy thrown from balcony reach settlement” incident, the mall security failed to identify and remove the suspicious man with a history of disruptions from the mall resulting in severe injuries to the boy.

Mall owners must take reasonable steps to ensure that their guests are safe, and the Mall of America breached that duty toward Landen and his family, resulting in serious injuries. To prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, the Mall of America is jointly pursuing policy changes with the affected family pertaining to trespass limits for violent criminals.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law Mall Accident Attorneys

If you suffered serious injuries on someone else’s property, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation.

Can I Sue Aquarium of the Pacific for Bird Flu?

Written by MichaelEhline on January 25, 2025. Posted in Premises Liability Blog.

Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Aquarium and Avian Virus

On September 30, 2022, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) closed down the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sandy Shore & Aviary Exhibit to protect the resident bird species from the global avian influenza outbreak.

It is said that the virus is active and spreading slowly in the region. Although the foot traffic remains closed for the time being, according to Emerson Brown, the senior manager of Media Relations, guests can view the animals through the glass windows and the Aviary Cam.

The Sandy Shore Aviary is the only bird habitat in the aquarium that guests can walk through. Bird flu can latch onto shoes or clothes, and any guests coming into contact with the birds risk the birds contracting the deadly virus.

Avian influenza is contagious and can spread from one bird to the other through saliva, feces, or mucous. Contaminated insects, animals, food, water, or any form of clothing can cause the virus to spread to other resident birds.

Increasing biosecurity protocols can help minimize the spread of the virus, and according to Brown, the aquarium is taking such measures. Penguins remain in their enclosures, and the staff avoids bringing them out for walks.

Long Beach Aquarium’s Penguins Run for Cover

On October 11, 2022, the Aquarium of Pacific moved certain animals and aquarium birds inside after being notified of the flu in wild birds in Los Angeles County.

According to the aquarium spokeswoman, Claire Atkinson, the Lorikeet Forest exhibit and the June Keyes Penguin Habitat will remain closed. The management also decided to close the Shorebird Sanctuary exhibits until there is no more threat of the virus.

Penguins were the most exposed at the aquarium since they are flightless birds. Wild birds are flying over the enclosure or birds landing into the habitat increase the penguins’ chances of contracting the bird flu. The aquarium decided to move the penguins to the covered pools where the aquatic animals were previously exhibited.

The aquarium will follow state and federal guidelines, and animal handlers who care for diving birds and birds indoors must strictly adhere to hygiene protocols. Furthermore, they will closely monitor the sea lion habitat after a few cases of H5N1 flu infecting seals on the East Coast.

Spread of Avian Influenza Across the United States

Due to wild bird migration, the current bird flu strain has traveled from Asia into North America, finally reaching the United States at the start of 2022. By July, officials reported California’s first case of the bird flu virus in Sacramento.

Within a few months, the virus spread through California, with many reports arising from Del North and Santa Cruz County. By October 2022, it reached Monterey County prompting an immediate response from the aquarium. So far, USDA’s data suggests that the virus has spread to 22 counties.

What’s concerning is that according to the state’s California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the virus is now found in commercial and domesticated flocks across ten counties, including Monterey. As new cases arise, the location is immediately quarantined, and authorities euthanize the infected birds to prevent the virus from spreading to other California flocks.

Although bird flu primarily affects poultry, it does harm other bird species, including ducks, geese, crows, and more. Humans are unlikely to contract the bird flu virus, unlike COVID-19, but there are rare instances.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in April 2022, reported a person who had direct exposure to poultry and was involved in the culling infected with the virus.

According to the CDC, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A, also called H5N1, has infected commercial and backyard birds across 29 states and wild birds in 34 states. The CDC also monitors the virus among humans and has currently tracked over 2,500 people exposed to H5N1 virus-infected birds. Those who remain unaffected but are involved in the culling process have been advised to take caution.

Following the rise in infected wild birds and domesticated flocks, the SPCA Monterey County has asked residents to remain vigilant and look for warning signs to help prevent the spread.

Symptoms of the H5N1 virus in birds include the following:

Appetite loss
Reduced egg production
Seizures
Diarrhea
Paralysis
Respiratory illnesses
Sudden death.

Infected wild birds flying into Monterey County have made it difficult for the SPCA to estimate the number of bird casualties. Domestic poultry is at a higher risk of infection due to their dense living conditions, making them super-spreaders. To prevent their farm birds from contracting the virus, farm owners must secure the food and water supply from wild birds.

Bird Flu Can Be Fatal to Humans If Contracted

Bird flu is not recent, as it has been around for a long time. Since 2003, there have been 865 humans affected globally by the bird flu and what’s scary is that 53% of the cases were fatal.

Although it is pretty rare for humans to contract the virus, they become carriers, putting other birds at risk.

Permitting a Communicable Disease to Spread: Can I Sue Aquarium of the Pacific for Bird Flu?

All over the country, aquariums and farm owners are taking measures to prevent their domestic birds, shore birds, bald eagles, backyard flocks, and other bird species from contracting the Avian flu.

The bird owners must take measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases if their animals are suffering from them. Bird owners who have knowledge that their animals are suffering from communicable diseases have the duty to use reasonable care to prevent them from transmitting the disease to other birds, animals, and people.

However, if the owner is negligent and does not take adequate measures, they will be liable for the resulting damage. Contact us at (833) LETS-SUE to speak to a compassionate, aggressive, experienced Premises Liability attorney if you’ve suffered losses due to another’s negligence, as you may have grounds to sue.

French Court – Cows’ Health Affected by 4G Cell Phone Tower?

Written by MichaelEhline on January 25, 2025. Posted in Premises Liability Blog, Products Defect Blog.

Did a cell tower injure you?

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The conclusion would be to surround the verdict on whether the cell phone tower impacts the cows’ health or milk production for 4G.

The Accusation by Frederic Salgues

Frédéric Salgues, a farmer in the nearby area where the 4G tower for cell phones, has made an accusation. He has accused the constantly deteriorating milk production and health of his cows of being all because of the 4G cell phone tower near his farm, where his cows are used for milk production.

Salgues added that all his cows are almost bones and skin due to the tower. It is highly agonizing for him because he has been taking care of his cows for a long time. Now, something of a tower for 4G signals is affecting their health, and he can do nothing but watch how his cows are losing weight and offering up subpar milk production since the antenna installation.

He added that the health of his cows is deteriorating every day, and seeing that makes him cry. He has openly blamed the cell phone 4G tower installed near his farm back in 2021. The cows’ health started to deteriorate ever since the tower installation.

Clermont-Ferrand Administrative Court is Taking Salgues Claims Seriously

Although the matter may not seem serious to many, one of the courts in southwestern France has heard Salgues’s call for help. Cow milk production has dropped significantly following the antenna installation. Clermont-Ferrand, the administrative court in France, listened to Salgues’s comments about the cow health concerns.

They are taking Salgues’ statement very seriously and have issued an order in favor of Salgues. The French court ordered the 4G antenna switched off over cow health, as others, including environmentalists, are complaining about this new 4G antenna technology. The court ordered the tower to shut down for two months to see the outcome.

The court has announced they will monitor how things turn out for Salgues’ farm in the next two months. They will strictly monitor the cows’ health to see if there is an improvement.

The Orders Issued by the Court

In the order, the court issued a statement suggesting they found the decision to proceed with a temporary cessation of the tower appropriate. The two-month cessation of the building and its antenna may unravel whether the antenna installation is the real cause of cows’ health concerns.

During this period, they will monitor the herd’s behavior and the dairy cows’ activities. They will also monitor the cows’ health to see if any improvement is being recorded. The judicial expert will supervise the entire process of recording data and presenting a well-organized report.

One of the Monaco-based English-language news outlets, The Connexion, has covered the entire matter since milk production dropped.

Salgues Confirmed How his Farm is Affected

The court noted significant highlights from Salgues’ statement surrounding the matter, including the high number of deaths due to abnormal causes and voluntary de-nutrition by the herd.

The court also noted a serious disruption in the herd’s behavior and Salgues’s claim regarding the deterioration in the production, quantity, and quality of the milk.

In his statement, Salgues added that his cows hardly drink water. They don’t even get up at night to eat, making them seriously thin. He expanded on his cow health concerns, saying he feels that his cows are feeling sad. He’s hoping the French court orders, the 4 G antenna switch off over cow health, and public attention will save his dairy farm.

Yannick Supported Salgues’ Claims

Yannick, a fellow farmer, and brother of Salgues, backed his brother’s claims. He stated that it is their daily practice to document the milk’s quality, quantity, and production. Since the tower was installed, they have started recording a dip in all three factors.

He confirmed that, in the eleven months since the tower was installed, they have lost 40 cattle. Yannick claimed that under normal circumstances, the death rate of the cattle would only be around 9 or 10.

Defense lawyers for Bouygues Telecom, the mobile operators shut down by the ruling, stated there are:
“no scientific evidence” linking animal health and electromagnetic fields around mobile phone antennas. Yet, here, 40 of his 200 cows had died since the cell tower went active, according to the farmer. This ruling could also affect the rollout of even faster 5G antenna towers in France.

Are You Interested In Suing For 4-G or 5-G Illnesses?

We are interested in hearing about your case. Our serious injury attorneys have won millions on behalf of consumers, and we want to know about cell phone tower diseases and illnesses. Call us today at (213) 596-9642 to learn more.

Jif Peanut Butter Recall Lays Waste to Many Consumer Products

Written by MichaelEhline on January 25, 2025. Posted in Premises Liability Blog, Products Defect Blog.

Many Stores Affected by Jif Brand Peanut Butter Products Recall

In the past few weeks, the recall of Jif brand peanut butter products has gone rampant. As per reports, the Jif peanut butter is recalled from the stores at a very high scale. The reports suggest that the recall has been growing at a fast rate for other products containing Jif too. Fourteen Salmonella cases related to this outbreak were identified in 12 states that could lead to serious personal injuries or wrongful death.

Turns out, several other products are now feeling the impact and pressure due to the Jif brand peanut butter recall.

JIF Peanut Butter Recall

JIF Peanut Butter Products Tainted?

Learn about the Jif Peanut Butter recall and attendant problems. On May 20, 2022, the J. M. Smucker Company issued a voluntary recall of certain peanut butter-containing products.

Jif Peanut Butter’s Impact on other Products

Just when it was perceived that the impact of the recent peanut butter recall would remain confined to Jif peanut butter, things have taken a turn for the worst. It turns out that several other related products are feeling the impact and pressure from Jif peanut butter contamination. It’s not just Jif brand creamy peanut butter on the chopping block.

The store sources claim at least 69 products are affected by the Jif Brand peanut butter recall, including many Creamy Peanut Butter variants and sizes like creamy peanut butter, reduced-fat, crunchy, and natural peanut butter variants and container types made with the Jif peanut product.

Early Jif, Peanut Butter Recall Info, is Alarming

Reports of injuries are coming from West Virginia all the way to the California coast. For example, the J.M. Smucker Company recently recalled multiple Jif peanut butter products marketed in the United States and Canada. The Jif peanut butter recall is due to a potential salmonella contamination outbreak that federal regulators claim has led to at least 14 illnesses in consumers at vending machines, the 7-Eleven Chain, and retail stores the Pak N Save across the United States.

But it’s not just Jif, and the Smucker Company with Salmonella Senftenberg concerns pulling these products from their store shelves. The FDA confirms that Wawa Company is now pulling at least two products from its stores suspected of salmonella contamination, including Creamy Peanut Butter and “Wawa Apple & Peanut Butter Dipper.” Garden Cut Garden Cut products recalled contain a 0.75-ounce Jif Peanut Butter Cup inside with apple wedges and celery bites as well.

Also, Cargill recalls 795 8-ounce boxes of candies and munchies manufactured with the recalled Jif peanut butter, including:

Milk and dark chocolate-covered peanut butter Ritz crackers
Peanut butter meltaway
Peanut butter eggs and fudge
Fresh Seasons Power Packs.

These items were distributed locally at the Wilbur Chocolate retail store in Lititz, Pennsylvania. These candies and snacks were also sold online and distributed nationwide at Wilburbuds.com.

The recall impacts foreign markets, including countries like Canada, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Honduras, Spain, and Japan.

These items were distributed locally at the Wilbur Chocolate retail store in Lititz, Pennsylvania. These candies and snacks were also sold online and distributed nationwide at Wilburbuds.com.

The recall impacts foreign markets, including countries like Canada, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Honduras, Spain, and Japan.

Did your loved one suffer a wrongful death or significant abdominal pain after eating a Jif product containing salmonella contamination? Did you contract food poisoning or a stroke after ingesting this food product?

Introduction

Sometimes best if “used by dates” are not a reliable indicator of product shelf life, freshness, or ingest-ability. I am attorney Michael Ehline. I am a world-famous products liability lawyer. Together with my caring and aggressive legal team, I have assisted thousands of California consumers in recovering over $150 Million in verdicts and settlements. Below, I will discuss the latest Jif recall and what you can do to protect yourself and others.

Next, I will cover how you can receive financial compensation for your out-of-pocket medical expenses, property loss, emotional pain, and suffering from mental anguish and physical pain.

What is the reason behind the Cascading Effect?

Surprisingly, there is a long list of companies that use Jif peanut butter while manufacturing their products. These products include peanut butter sandwiches, chocolates, and many more products.

Initial Recall

The parent company of Jif, J.M. Smucker Co., has reportedly decided against proceeding with a voluntary recall. The announcement regarding the recall was made last week, and it was a voluntary recall. Why J.M. Smucker Made the Recall The decision to recall the Jif peanut butter was made after the traces of a salmonella outbreak.

The traces were found at one of the facilities that manufactured the peanut butter for Jiff. The executives confirmed that the manufacturing company is based in Lexington, Ky. The traces of the salmonella outbreak were found in the specific facility by the Food and Drug Administration.

Other Companies also Issued Notices of Their Product Recalls.

After the recall announcement, other companies have begun recalling their Jif products. They are also doing this to ensure that their products do not end up causing any outbreaks among consumers. Almost every day, a new company is announcing the recalling of their products, like creamy butter, from the stores in fear of salmonella contamination.

For example, Mary’s Harvest Fresh Foods, located in Portland, Oregon, has recalled their celery and apple peanut butter cups. Cargill issued a recall for various online marketed snacks sold through the Lititz, Pennsylvania, Wilbur Chocolate store. Taher, located in Plymouth, Minnesota, recalled their Fresh Seasons Power Packs since they all contain peanut butter from Jif. Are we missing anything?

Among the affected products are varieties of veggie and fruit snack packs. Many companies have added Jif as a confectioner to these products, like creamy peanut butter. As a result of the possible outbreak, these companies have started recalling their products. They do not want to get dragged into the same crisis Jif peanut butter itself faces.

49 Recalled Products Belong to Jif itself

Jif officials have confirmed that they have already started recalling their products carrying creamy peanut butter in particular. In total, 49 products have been identified by Jif from its product list brings peanut butter. These products range from cups containing 0.75 ounces of peanut butter cups to 40-ounce peanut butter-containing jars.

Other major companies affected by the recent recall are Albertson and Del Monte. For Albertsons, it was the snacks made by the company in-store, and for Del Monte, PB& J sandwiches were impacted.

How to Establish if a Peanut Butter Product Got Recalled?

Using the lot code numbers, you can establish whether or not the particular product was affected and recalled. The lot code numbers can be located near the date “best buy.” You must not confuse the identified peanut butter lot codes with the UPC number and brand information present in the bar code recalling the product due to potential salmonella contamination.

If the product carries “425” at the end of the seven-digit lot codes, it was indeed manufactured in Lexington. Similarly, if a product by Jif brand peanut butter and creamy peanut butter has the first four digits of lot codes ranging from 1274 to 2140, it’s a recalled product.

Experts strongly advise that you don’t ingest these products, as they have a very high contamination risk. The products carrying these codes or ranges must be disposed of immediately.

Here is a partial list of the recalled Jif creamy peanut butter products.

OMEGA 3 16 OZ. 5150024191
12 OZ. 5150025516
16 OZ. 5150024177
28 OZ. 5150024090
40 OZ. 5150072001
40 OZ. 5150024094
48 OZ. 5150024769
80 OZ. TWIN PACK 5150024705
96 OZ. TWIN PACK 5150024331
CAN 4 LB 5150024141
JIF 13-OUNCE SQUEEZABLE POUCH
JIF 36 COUNT CREAMY JIF PEANUT TO GO CASE 5150024114.

Here are some other JIF products recalled:

CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 1.5 OZ. 5150024137
CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 4.5 OZ. 5150024143
JIF CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER TO GO 8 COUNT 5150025537
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 16 OZ. 5150024163
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 28 OZ. 5150024091
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 40 OZ. 5150024095
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 48 OZ. 5150024776
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 80 OZ. TWIN PACK 5150024706
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 96 OZ. TWIN PACK 5150008026
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER INTERNATIONAL 12 OZ. 5150072002
JIF EXTRA CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER 40 OZ. 5150024404.

These products may be sold at Market Street, Albertsons, Safeway, Lucky, Haggen, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Tom Thumb, United, Amigos, Albertsons Market, Andronico’s Community Markets, Vons, Pak ‘N Save, Shaw’s, Star Market, Randalls, Jewel-Osco, ACME, King’s, Balducci’s and Cargill.

Did we miss any other creamy peanut butter products being recalled? Contact us to let us know by dialing (213) 596-9642.

Were you injured, or did you suffer a severe ailment from ingesting contaminated Jif peanut butter? If you consumed recalled peanut butter and have symptoms of Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider before you call us!

Speak With a Jif Peanut Butter Recall Lawyer Today?

Did you or your loved one suffer a serious bodily injury after ingesting a Jif peanut butter product like Creamy Peanut Butter or a Smucker’s mixture? Would you like to report adverse reactions? Did someone you know suffer a fatality from this food product? If so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are world-famous for helping strengthen consumer law, having assisted thousands of wounded victims since 2005.

Contact us today or anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days per week, to receive a free case consultation from a caring, disciplined products liability expert in Los Angeles, CA, by dialing (213) 596-9642 today! Enjoy your risk-free consultation before the statute of limitations for filing your lawsuit expires.

Most Dangerous Cities in California in 2021

Written by MichaelEhline on January 25, 2025. Posted in Premises Liability Blog.

Known as the “Golden State,” California is home to more than 39 million people and is the largest state in the United States in terms of population. Each year, Los Angeles attracts 42 million tourists, including 7 million foreigners visiting from outside the country. But the chances of being injured or killed keeps on rising in this so-called “sanctuary state.”

Gangster LA. Most Dangerous Cities in California in 2021 — Most Dangerous Cities in California in 2021

Exploding Violent Crimes in CA?

Violent Crimes Rise Under SF and LA DAs.

With its progressive district attorneys, the single-party state has become a haven for violent crime, including motor vehicle theft and carjacking. It has seen California’s crime numbers skyrocket, especially in some hotspots. Los Angeles County has also seen larceny, theft, and total crime rate skyrocket since the election of its latest District Attorney, George Gascón.

The state itself has beautiful white sandy beaches and breathtaking natural landscapes that you can marvel at for days. Tourists flock from all over the country and world to visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, Venice Beach, and Hollywood, some main attractions in the state.

Besides the popular destinations, California is also home to Silicon Valley, the hub of technological innovation worldwide. Each year, the state hosts Coachella, a music and arts festival where hundreds of thousands of people visit worldwide. Unfortunately, not everything in the Golden State is as prime as it seems. California sees high rates of crime each year, surpassing the national average crime rate of the United States (387 per 100,000).

Sadly, the soft-on-crime state sees rapes and robberies in broad daylight rising at a shocking rate, with daily shootings making residents flee to law and order states like Texas, Florida, and Nevada.

Even prevalent cities like Palos Verdes Estates, patrolled by Los Angeles County Sheriffs, and Hillsborough [safest city] have crimes statistics some red states would not approve of.

Ehline Law is a California-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm that protects victims’ legal rights. Contact our experienced California attorneys to learn about your legal rights if you are a victim of a crime.

Most Dangerous Cities in California in 2021

Emeryville

With a small population of just about 12,104 residents, Emeryville is the number one most dangerous city in California and the most dangerous small town in the entire United States.

According to the crime statistics reported by the police officers, Emeryville has 18,192 crimes per 100,000 people, which is the highest in the state. The city’s violent crime rate touches 1,429 per 100,000 people, which translates to a 1 in 70 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Emeryville’s highest violent crime rate is 272% higher than the national average, with robbery, property crime, and aggravated assault topping the crime charts.

Crime rates per 100,000 in Emeryville for burglary, theft, car theft, assault, robbery, rape, and property crime are 818, 14,648, 1,297, 347, 1,008, 74, and 16,763, respectively.

According to Earl Warren, an Alameda County District Attorney, Emeryville is the “most rotten city on the Pacific Coast.” He stated that criminal activities in the city are flourishing under the encouragement of local police officials and the government.

Property crimes in Emeryville continue to rise and have become a severe problem for the residents. Residents must take precautions such as installing security systems and carrying pepper spray while traversing dangerous neighborhoods.

Oakland

Oakland is home to just under 430,000 people and ranks as the second most dangerous city in California. Violent and property crimes are the most common types of crimes ravaging the town, with residents having a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of either. Believe it or not, Oakland’s crime rate is about 150% higher than the U.S. national average, seeing a murder happening about every five days on average and robberies happening all the time based on FBI data.

A recent poll in the city conducted by AreaVibes, a real estate website that provides livability scores to help users determine the best places to live, revealed that 61% of the participants believed that crime is rampant and continues to rise. 59% of the respondents did not think they were safe and avoided walking alone at night.

Crime rates per 100,000 in Emeryville for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, car theft, and property crime are 16, 104, 609, 544, 556, 3,655, 1,178, and 5,390, respectively.

Oakland has a violent crime rate of 1,274 per 100,000 people, which is 235% higher than the national average. There is a 1 in 18 chance of experiencing a property crime for anyone living in Oakland, which is three times more than the national average.

San Bernardino

Considered to be one of the most dangerous cities in California, San Bernardino is also the largest city on this list, with a population of just under 216,000 residents—the police officials in the city record, on average, 12,700 crimes annually. Although there are only 3,316 violent crimes, property crimes stand at 9,321 and are becoming a concern for the citizens.

This violent crime rate is almost five times higher than the national average. Even so, murders are five times more likely in San Bernardino. In fact, San Bernardino had the third-highest murder rate in California back in 2019.

The crime rate in San Bernardino per 100,000 for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and car theft are 23, 74, 470, 970, 1,085, 2,232, and 1,032, respectively.

San Bernardino is the second-largest and poorest city in the country. Immigrants flock to San Bernardino to search for cheaper living accommodations, which affects the economy and the jobs in the city. The poverty rate in San Bernardino stands at 18%, which could explain the high violent crime rates.

Barstow

Located north of San Bernardino, Barstow is a small city of approximately 24,000 residents. Barstow is typically known for irrigated agriculture and the mining industry. However, it also has a crime rate of 123% higher than the national average.

A recent survey conducted by AreaVibes revealed that 63% of the residents believe that crime is rampant across the city, and 64% will avoid walking alone at night. This violent crime rate spikes at 1,183 per 100,000 people, which is 211% higher than the national average.

The crime rate per 100,000 for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and car theft in Barstow is 8, 58, 400, 722, 1,452, 2,445, and 713, respectively.

Barstow is a dangerous city because residents are four times more likely to experience a break-in than the rest of the country. As an aside, nearby Bakersfield ranks number 1o as a dangerous city, according to SafeWise.

Commerce

With just under 13,000 residents, Commerce has California’s third-highest crime rate. Residents have a 1 in 11 chance of becoming a victim of any crime, including violent crime.

The crime rates per 100,000 in Commerce for murder, rape, robbery, and assault are 8, 70, 375, and 547, respectively.

Commerce faces one of the highest violent crime rates in the state, with 999 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Property crime rates exceed the national average, at 7,784 per 100,000. Residents living in Commerce have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.

Around 16% of the population lives below the poverty line in Commerce, which is more than the national average. It plays a vital role in the city’s increasing violent crime levels.

Red Bluff

In the Northern part of California, Red Bluff is a small city with a population of just under 14,300 residents. The overall crime rate in Red Bluff is 6,427 per 100,000 people, increasing the chances of residents becoming victims to 1 in 15.

The crime rate per 100,000 in Red Bluff for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and car theft are as follows: 14, 168, 140, 833, 1,057, 3,249, and 966, respectively.

There is a 1 in 19 chance of anyone living there becoming a victim of property crime. Red Bluff is a dangerous city with three times the national average murder rate, while homeowners are four times more likely to experience a burglary.

West Hollywood

When hearing about West Hollywood, most people think about all the glitz and glamor of the gay lifestyle. However, it is far from that.

With a population of 36,854 residents and bordering one of the richest neighborhoods in the world, West Hollywood is famously known for the Sunset Strip, rock music history, and the largest gay nightlife in the Los Angeles region. However, it also has a seriously high crime rate that stands at 817 violent crimes per 100,000.

The crime rate per 100,000 in West Hollywood for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, personal theft, and car theft are as follows: 8, 109, 345, 355, 654, 4,786, and 271, respectively.

Theft is the main type of crime carried out in the city, and citizens must ensure they are taking the necessary precautions to protect their belongings.

Santa Monica

Located in the west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica is typically known for its beautiful white sandy beaches. However, it also ranks #8 on our list of the top 10 most dangerous cities in California.

Santa Monica has 874 violent crimes per 100,000, and citizens have a 1 in 114 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. There is also a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime.

The crime rate per 100,000 in Santa Monica for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and car theft are as follows: 8, 66, 305, 496, 729, 4,201, and 261, respectively. Although violent crime by and against homeless people is out of hand, the city still provides shelter and housing for these individuals, who will often rotate from tents to shelters with no restroom facilities. Because of this, the Venice bike path smells like urine, and mentally ill people have taken over the area.

This crime rate is high in Santa Monica for many different reasons, but the main factor remains the influx of millions of tourists each year crashing into the current inhabitants, many of whom are mentally ill or otherwise criminal-minded. Santa Monica sees over 8.4 million visitors annually, which increases the risk of violent crime in the city.

Not all parts of Santa Monica are dangerous. However, it is important to assess the crime map and know what regions to avoid to prevent you from becoming a violent crime victim.

Signal Hill

Known as the fifth most dangerous place in California, Signal Hill spans across 2.2 sq. miles. More than anything, Signal Hill is a small city located on top of a high hill and surrounded by Long Beach City. Because of its elevation, the local Tongva Indians would make signal fires to each other from there, which is how the hill got its name.

Considered to be the 9th most dangerous city in California, Signal Hill has a population of 11,555 residents. According to the results of an AreaVibes survey, the majority of residents said they feel unsafe living in this community from all the violent crime.

This city’s violent crime rate stands at 744 per 100,000, while property crimes touch 5,989 per 100,000 people. If you’re living in Signal Hill, you have a 1 in 134 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 17 chance of experiencing property crime.

The crime rate per 100,000 in Signal Hill for rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and car theft are as follows: 87, 320, 338, 926, 4,085, and 978, respectively.

This small city experiences about 16 crimes a month on average. The crime rate here is 209% higher than the national average, with a very high violent crime rate.

Eureka

Eureka is an old port city in California. Eureka has stunningly beautiful ocean views to offer and is home to the world’s largest trees, the coast redwoods. About 28,000 residents live in Eureka. The city was the main spot for the lumber industry due to its location. Still, economic activity has recently slowly died down, partly due to violent crime and safety concerns.

Today, Eureka is one of the ten most dangerous cities in California, with a serious reputation for crime. Violent crime rates are at 733 per 100,000, while property crime rates hover around 5,800 per 100,000 people. Every resident in Eureka has a one in 17 chance of becoming a victim of property crime.

Eureka’s crime rate per 100,000 for murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft and car theft are as follows: 11, 96, 237, 389,859, 3,985, and 956, respectively.

Crescent City

Crescent City sits along the Pacific Coast and gets its name from the crescent-shaped beach nearby. The place is beautiful to live in. However, residents here have a reason to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their homes.

Crescent City is home to only 6,690 people and experiences 1,148 violent crimes per 100,000 annually, putting them on our list of the most dangerous cities in California.

The crime rate per 100,000 in Crescent City for robbery, assault, burglary, and car theft are as follows: 313, 686, 1,193, and 208, respectively. These violent crimes are constantly rising.

Crescent City also experiences high rates of property crime. In 2021, the property crime rate stood at 4,160 per 100,000 people.

Marysville

Known as “California’s Oldest Little City,” Marysville was founded in 1850 during the period of the Gold Rush, when miners, merchants, and capitalists moved to the region to capitalize on the booming opportunity at the time. Violent crime was typical of its day, but nothing like today.

For a short period in 1852, Marysville became the third-largest city in California. However, today, there are just under 12,100 people residing in Marysville as people started to move after the Gold Rush for better opportunities. Tourists with an appetite for historic monuments and culture flock to Marysville to study the grand architecture of the time. Violent crime is not something people are expecting.

Recent reports put Marysville as one of the most dangerous cities in California. The violent crime rate in Marysville stands at 1,126 per 100,000, while property crimes here are skyrocketing. The property crime rate per 100,000 is about 3,698.

The crime rate per 100,000 in Marysville for robbery, assault, burglary, and car theft are as follows: 119, 854, 503, and 1,557, respectively.

What’s surprising is that Marysville had almost double the car theft rate of Stockton, a relatively large city in California with over 300,000 residents. The city comes in second place when it comes to the highest number of rape cases. Don’t forget areas like National City see their fair share of homicides and rapes cases, so keep your head on a swivel and dress down when you go out. Don’t drive a nice car if you want to live in CA and be free of violent crime.

The criminals know they will get a soft-on crime District Attorney, with some even getting tattoos of the prosecutors as a sign of gratitude for being set free to commit violent crime again. Are you living in one of California’s most dangerous cities? How was your city ranked as crime problems have catapulted across the nation? Do you live in one of those pockets of safety like the California city of Newport Beach?

Safety Tips for Californian Residents

California has a violent crime rate of 447 per 100,000 people, which puts California on the list of the most dangerous states in the country. The city saw the highest number of murders in 2018, with the figure touching 1,739.

Although the state is quite populous, it has a disproportionate crime level. 12% of the United States population resides in California, and about 14% of all crimes in the country happen in California too.

What’s surprising is that while the crime rates are extremely high in the state, it has very low incarceration rates.

If you’re living in California, here are some tips that you should follow to protect your home and family.

Home Security System

Home security systems effectively prevent break-ins and reduce burglary attempts at a property. A study conducted by North Carolina University revealed that home security systems prevent 60% of all burglaries from happening. The study proved that several indicators of security, such as loud security alarms, dogs, cameras, and other equipment, are effective in reducing the risk of burglars entering a property.

Lock the Doors

Americans often don’t realize the threats around them. For example, a recent study showed that 20% of Americans don’t always lock their doors before leaving their homes, while 7% don’t lock their doors at all. These studies correspond with the burglar’s habit of walking straight to the front door and trying their luck to see if the door is open. Most burglaries start with an unlocked front door.

On average, 27% of the homes in the United States remain unlocked, increasing the chances of finding an easy target for the burglar to have at. Burglars are quick in what they do and have the necessary skills to find valuables in the house and leave with them in just 10 minutes. Even if you’re leaving your home to grab something from a nearby grocery store, make sure you lock your doors.

Leave the Light On

It is easier for a burglar to target empty homes than those with people living in them. To find empty homes, they search the neighborhood for homes with an empty driveway or homes that are completely dark in the evening. Such signs let the burglars know that no one is in the house.

A survey conducted by the Idaho News Station revealed that the majority of burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., which is the time when most people are either at work or in school. The best way to deter burglars when you’re not at home is to leave the lights or the radio on, which will warn the burglars that the house is not empty.

Fence Your Home

Burglars try to rob homes that look like easy targets. They’ll avoid breaking into homes on the main road, inside a gated community, or surrounded by neighbors. Fencing your home gives the impression that the homeowner might be a challenging target to rob. It also reduces the escape routes, making it difficult for a burglar to burglarize.

Safety Tips for Traveling in California

Whether traveling to a nearby store for groceries or heading to work, it is essential to take the necessary precautions when traveling in California.

Here are some safety tips you should follow when roaming the Californian streets.

Keep a Pepper Spray

According to police officials, carrying pepper spray while roaming around in California is smart as these are small, portable devices that shoot chemicals up to 8 feet, causing severe irritation and burning. It is a great device to defend yourself from attackers that are bigger and stronger than you.

Swelling, coughing, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, a burning sensation, and nasal discharge are all symptoms a person experiences after getting pepper sprayed.

Use Safety App

Several safety apps on the iOS app store and Google Play can be installed on your mobile phones to prevent attackers from approaching you. Safety apps are a great way to improve your level of protection while walking around California.

Some apps can produce deafening sounds that can alert people around you to draw attention, while others have tracking features that allow guardians or loved ones to track your location in real time.

Some safety apps are directly connected to the different police departments, and an alarm can alert police officials of a crime about to happen.

Don’t Travel Alone

A crime can happen anywhere at any time, so you shouldn’t be walking alone, so ask someone to assist you or travel in groups, especially at night. Rapes and assaults in the state mainly occur at night when the victims travel alone, making it easier for the perpetrator to carry out the heinous crime.

Because it is not always possible to travel in a large group, keep pepper spray on you at all times and a safety app on your mobile devices to alert law enforcement authorities if you’re in trouble.

Avoid Dangerous Neighborhoods

California has more than 480 cities, and not all cities or neighborhoods have spiking high crime rates, so make sure to check the details of the online crime map to know the types of crimes occurring in the different areas.

The crime map can let you know which areas are more susceptible to crimes so that you can avoid those areas while traveling. For example, gang violence is usually centralized within a couple of blocks, and residents can avoid these areas by simply looking at the city’s crime map.

Although the tips provided help prevent you from becoming a victim of a crime, they do not guarantee 100% safety, as a crime can occur at any time, especially when you least expect it. If you suffered injuries as a victim of a crime, contact us at + (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation on your case.