What is it like to live in East St. Louis, IL? Do you deal with absolutely constant crime?

Question

I was looking at a site called city-data.com and looking at crime statistics, and the numbers for E. St. Louis are way worse than almost anyone....over 2000 assaults in some years and the population is only around 30,000.

Can anyone who's ever lived there tell me about their experiences? Or anyone who's ever spend some time there? Very curious if it's as bad as the numbers indicate.

Answer 1

Your not kidding are you ?  Do you ever watch Cops T.V. show.  That life in East St. Louis, Illinois.

It's known, if you get a flat tire in E. St. Louis KEEP ON DRIVING RIGHT DOWN TO THE RIM IF NEED BE.

Answer 2

it is as bad as it you read (but not as bad as north St. Louis)  I live about  60 miles from there and never even drive thru it, especially not at night

Answer 3

watch the movie National Lampoons' Vacation from 25 years ago it has gotten alot worse hehe

Answer 4

I'm sure that there are good law abiding people that live there but its a very poor low income city with little industry or businesses that pay high wages. They don't have a lot of money for city services and most of the housing is low cost and often not in the best condition.  Given all these factors they do have a high crime rate. It would not be my choice of places to live or visit. However, some people dont have the money to move to they are forced to live here and put up with all the problems.  

Answer 5

It is so very bad there. I once saw a shooting outside a burnt out house that people were actually living in. I'm not into histrionics, but have to tell you it really is that d**n bad.

Answer 6

We'll I live in East St Louis and where I stay it's not bad. People be thinking that just because it's East St Louis it's bad and the only reason people are quick to say that is because 96% that live there is black.  Every city or state have their problems but East St is no d**n difference from St Louis.  St Louis have more crime than any state. But one or two things may happen over here and people are quick to say oh East St Louis is bad. When I drive to Belleville or any other parts of the 618 area I don't fear for my life but when I'm in St Louis I do.

Answer 7

Better stay out of there.  People getting shot and dumped on a very regular basis.  It is big time bad.