Crime at Singer Island Oceana Palms

[tlwmkw]

We are going to Oceana Palms on Singer Island next week and just Google'd for information about the area (Singer Island and Riviera Beach) and now see lots of comments about it being the most crime riddled area of Florida and full of gang violence. Is this really the case? I had always heard that it was a nice area with 2 nice Marriott resorts there.

Can anyone comment on this and reassure us that it is OK to visit this area.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fasttr]

Its primarily the opposite side of the intracoastal that gets a bit rougher. The area around the resorts is fine.

 

[mjkkb2]

Like a lot of costal Florida it is two separate worlds depending on which side of the bride you're on. The island/ocean side is pristine with high end resorts, condos, houses and hotels whilst the other side is; let's say not so much. I never felt uncomfortable even venturing to the 'other' side shopping or what not. It could feel sketchy to some people at night but I would say the area is very safe, at least to me. I have been coming there with my wife and three small children since they built Oceana every year and don't recall any unpleasant situations. I did get pulled over by police once in my family minivan on VA plates (which was weird) since we didn't do anything wrong, they just wanted to see my ID for some reason. On the mainland the police presence is noticeable, especially at night. I have witnessed some prostitution activity on the way to downtown WPB but like any larger city it's not unusual.

I would not sweat the statistics if I were you, you will enjoy the resort and the local area. Oceana is at the very top of the MVCI resort I visited - I'm jealous!

 

[dgf15215]

That's the trouble with reading statistics without studying the underlying data. You have nothing to worry about, it is a nice area with a lot of upscale properties along the beach, a nearby Ritz-Carlton and typically suburban streets nestled in across the main road (A1A). All of this is on Singer Island, across the Blue Heron Bridge from the inland neighborhoods which may be more problematic. I've attached a cutout of a crime map of the area - you'll notice that dark blue vertical strip along the coast - that's basically Singer Island. As you'll note on the index, that the safest areas. North Palm Beach is inland and you'll see they're as safe as they rate. The other MVC is less than three miles down the same beach. I can't get a better screen shot of the area than the attached but if you go to the site you'll see what I mean, by clicking on the specific area the underlying map comes up. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/crime

The statistics you see are for West Palm Beach as a whole and it is a pretty sketchy area, lots of poverty.

 

[tlwmkw]

Thanks for all of your responses. We are a little concerned after reading all the info that you get online about how rough an area it is but your comments make us feel a little better. Had always heard on TUG that these resorts were in a good area and very nice/upscale. We plan to stay away from the area on the other side of the Blue Heron Bridge which seems to be where all the problems are. Some people even suggest that you shouldn't drive through that area so we have looked at going further up 95 and coming east there to avoid it.

Wish we had researched the area more before booking- you live and learn I guess.

 

[JIMinNC]

This is the same type of comments/rumors we read about before our trip to Los Cabos in Mexico last month. They made it sound like the area was crime-infested and dangerous to leave the resort. But the fact is, we walked all over Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo and never felt threatened or saw anything that would have made us concerned for our safety. Everyone we met was so helpful and friendly. It was a great place, and the Mexican people were wonderful. Yes, there are areas there that have a lot of cartel/gang crime, but most of that is directed at other members of those communities/cartels/rival gangs. It's much the same here in the U.S., and I suspect the Palm Beach Shores/Singer Island area is just fine. Sometimes people unfairly judge an area by the way it looks just driving through, and not the way it really is.

 

[Fasttr]

Thanks for all of your responses. We are a little concerned after reading all the info that you get online about how rough an area it is but your comments make us feel a little better. Had always heard on TUG that these resorts were in a good area and very nice/upscale. We plan to stay away from the area on the other side of the Blue Heron Bridge which seems to be where all the problems are. Some people even suggest that you shouldn't drive through that area so we have looked at going further up 95 and coming east there to avoid it.

Wish we had researched the area more before booking- you live and learn I guess.

I would not be concerned about driving through that area (west side of the bridge). Its not THAT bad. Would I stroll through there at night by myself....probably not, but certainly driving through there during the day is fine. Its not like its a war zone or anything like that. Its funny...just a few miles north is PGA Boulevard which is sprinkled with many high end restaurants, shoppes, etc. Also, about 15 minutes south is Worth Avenue in Palm Beach which has some of the highest upscale shopping on this coast.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

The area is not bad. That notion is almost laughable.

 

[hangloose]

Been to Singer Island many times. Never had an issue and we have never felt unsafe. Enjoy!

 

[dgf15215]

The idea of not getting off of 95 at the logical place borders on ridiculous. Really. You seem to have some notion that there's a war zone out there, and there isn't. You are overreacting based on spurious information. Your bigger concern should be monitoring your cell phone google maps to watch for the red lines on 95 - there is often terrible traffic backups on 95 and well worth avoiding altogether. Now, that's a real problem.

 

[jhac007]

Some people even suggest that you shouldn't drive through that area so we have looked at going further up 95 and coming east there to avoid it.


That's absurd!

 

[WBP]

There's a Rite Aid on Blue Heron Boulevard, about a mile west of the bridge to Singer Island. It's the only drug store that I've ever seen that has a parking space in front of the drug store, with a sign that says, "This Parking Space Reserved for Riveara Beach Police Department."

You can either feel at-risk, or protected by that, but, I believe its a belweather of the community landscape, not the attentiveness to safety of Rite Aid, or the community. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that Rite Aid is more interested in protecting its assets, with customers not being one of them.

Personally, we avoid Blue Heron Boulevad at all expense. If that were the type of vacation destination that we wanted to visit (or route to/from our vacation destination), we'd go to Newark,NJ or Detroit, MI, and I have no desire of going to anyone of them.

 

[Quilter]

The area has changed considerably since we began visiting OP in 2000.

When Ocean Pointe first opened the area was in a transition. Friends who visited during the earliest of construction (pre 2000) said they saw prostitution activity at the end of the road at the inlet. Nowadays that area is populated with fishermen and walkers enjoying the sun and newly updated inlet pathway.

Our first trip was in 2000. Marriott directions to the resort had you get off at PGA and come south to the resort. They even routed you by the Sailfish Marina and not by the rundown Ocean Mall area. The old Ocean Mall has since been torn down and completely rebuilt. We freely walk the neighborhoods from the Inlet up to the area of the State Park.

Another of our favorite daytime walks (from both Ocean Pointe and Oceana Palms) is to cross the Blue Heron Bridge and make our way to Pelican Cafe on US 1. It's roughly 2.5 miles each way. We go past the Publix, by the marina and along Lake Shore Drive past another marina and through the park. Broadway is only a couple blocks west and runs parallel. I wouldn't want to walk along Broadway. We get brunch on their outdoor patio and then walk back.

During the day we easily use Blue Heron to get to 95. We'll even use Congress to get to the Airport. Australian Avenue to get to West Palm Beach. Night time is different. Depends on time of evening. Mostly we'd use 95 and exit on Blue Heron. There was a time we wouldn't use Blue Heron at night and go on to PGA.

On the peninsula side of the Intercoastal I feel the seediest location is the Sands Hotel. However, if you look at tripadvisor reviews there are 15 excellent/very good and only 2 terrible.

Not far from the Sands is our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guakamoles. They have the best tres leches cake!

 

[Quilter]

There's a Rite Aid on Blue Heron Boulevard, about a mile west of the bridge to Singer Island. It's the only drug store that I've ever seen that has a parking space in front of the drug store, with a sign that says, "This Parking Space Reserved for Riveara Beach Police Department."

You might mean Walgreens. I don't think Rite Aid is in Florida.

We were visiting Ocean Pointe last Memorial Day when my husband got a virus. He made a call to his doctor's office back home which was no help at all. He went to the Pharmacist at this Walgreens and she was very helpful. We have no problem stopping here.

 

[dgf15215]

Another of our favorite daytime walks (from both Ocean Pointe and Oceana Palms) is to cross the Blue Heron Bridge and make our way to Pelican Cafe on US 1. Not far from the Sands is our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guakamoles. They have the best tres leches cake![/QUOTE]

Thanks for your restaurant mentions, will remember that next week when we come down. Five miles R/T is a little more than we normally tackle, normally top out at four, but I'll see.

 

[Quilter]

Another of our favorite daytime walks (from both Ocean Pointe and Oceana Palms) is to cross the Blue Heron Bridge and make our way to Pelican Cafe on US 1. Not far from the Sands is our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guakamoles. They have the best tres leches cake!

Thanks for your restaurant mentions, will remember that next week when we come down. Five miles R/T is a little more than we normally tackle, normally top out at four, but I'll see.[/QUOTE]

But remember, there's a lovely brunch at the 1/2 way mark. Plus we can stop at the Publix for water or the restrooms. We've also stopped at the marina by the bridge and Publix and sat in the shade to watch the loading and unloading of the boats.

Don't forget to take time on the bridge to look down to spot the giant starfish.

 

[gatorray]

If you are from any high crime are of the country you will have developed an awareness that has been gained thru yrs of experience - street smarts, you might say. Singer island is not one of those high crime environments. Having visited our TS for 12 yrs we have never encountered anything close to threatening. A yr ago I did go to Walgreens at Congress and Blue Heron and had a panhandler ask me for money outside of the store upon entering. I reported it to the store clerk and he was familiar with that person. We also encountered a "slap" on the trunk by a kid in a group that was roving thru that area while we were parked. That Walgreens is now closed. Coincidence? Maybe not. Our home area in NC is not high crime. Average crime at best. We're not street smart but we're not blind. Older, yes. Common sense dictates certain travel patterns. Don't wander around on the mainland or shop at WalMart after dark. Just not wise in ANY moderate size city. Singer Island is as safe as can be. The many hotels, resorts, restaurants, apts, single family homes all look inviting and they don't have bars on the windows nor are there armed security people visible. MPB is our home away from home for our annual 2 wk visit. Don't forget, Palm Beach Island is just South across the Inlet and there is more than enough security via the big black SUVs that invade nearly every weekend and I'm not referring to Cartel security. Hint: think avid golfer and lots of hair.

 

[turkel]

We visited Florida at the Marriott Ocean Pointe 2 years ago. We drove all over. We never felt unsafe BUT we won't be back. We were actually shocked by much of what we saw in Florida and we are from California. Unless your near an exclusive area i.e. Rich, ocean front it's poor, dirty and seedy. I have no idea where the middle class live in Florida. We drove all over Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and down to the Keys. I would like to go back and go further down the Keys someday but the rest of it, never again.

We know people love Florida we just couldn't figure out why.

 

[dannybaker]

In my opinion, It’s a dangerous area period. We have been to this resort several times and have never been robbed, so I guess that makes it a good area? Look at the police reports in the area and make that determination for yourself. The last visit there were several major incidents by the resort and on the beach in front of the resort. We noticed several people on property who did not belong. I love the resort and the rooms but I personally feel it’s an unsafe area.

 

[2disneydads]

If people feel unsafe at Oceana Palms or Ocean Pointe, then there isn't a resort in the MVCI program that would make them feel safe. We've been to these two resorts more than once a year for a good number of years. The part of Riviera Beach on Singer Island is not an area of concern. The Publix on Blue Heron is safe and a fine shopping option, although the selection is not as extensive as at the Publix at the corner of US 1. Driving down Blue Heron from I-95 is not problematic, especially during the day. Riviera Beach is improving year by year even on the inland side. Don't be alarmed, and have a good time.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[peppymom03]

We went to Ocean Pointe last summer and I was concerned about the crime. We drove over the bridge and through that area of town but did not feel unsafe at all. I was actively looking for all the sketchy people but didnt see any. Lol We did drive to Palm Beach Gardens for dinner and even used the Publix there. I loved the resort and want to try the oceana Palms next summer.

 

[jimf41]

Yes it's a dangerous place. One year I saw a guy with a tatoo in the Cobia pool. I think it said "MOM" or "USMC" or something like that. There are seasons to the crime wave though. The second week in July seems to be the apex of the mayhem. If you have reservations for that week I would change them immediately. Rumors are that MS-13 is going to try to take over the Sailfish pool that week.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Yes it's a dangerous place. One year I saw a guy with a tatoo in the Cobia pool. I think it said "MOM" or "USMC" or something like that. There are seasons to the crime wave though. The second week in July seems to be the apex of the mayhem. If you have reservations for that week I would change them immediately. Rumors are that MS-13 is going to try to take over the Sailfish pool that week.

The MOM and USMC gangs are not going to let MS-13 just take over the place. Come on.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

Not to be a jerk but the people that don't like the area so much that they don't want to go are generally "those people" types. I am referring to social class and not race. Where is the middle class? Not cleaning your rooms that is for sure. When you are near the coast there tends to be hotels, resorts, and the rich and then a line of lower income because that is who the hotels, resorts, and rich hire to do their manual labor. There are not many traditional large companies that hire loads of middle class workers in these areas.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Yes it's a dangerous place. One year I saw a guy with a tatoo in the Cobia pool. I think it said "MOM" or "USMC" or something like that. There are seasons to the crime wave though. The second week in July seems to be the apex of the mayhem. If you have reservations for that week I would change them immediately. Rumors are that MS-13 is going to try to take over the Sailfish pool that week.

In my youth I considered that people with tattoos were non-conformist rebels, which demanded caution.

Nowadays is the people without ink who are the non-conformist rebels. where caution might be needed. So if you're very around me, watch out!

I now find myself a non-conformist. Why, I'm such a non-conformist I'm not even a member of AARP. How's that for being a 60s rebel? (I'm referring to being in my 60s, not the 1960s).