A relaxing beach day can turn stressful in an instant if you come back from the water to find your phone, wallet or keys missing.
A new report from The Action Network analyzed crime data from 500 beach-area ZIP codes across the U.S. to determine where beachgoers face the highest risk of theft — and which destinations are among the safest. Researchers weighted theft most heavily in their rankings, followed by robbery, vehicle theft and burglary.
The findings may surprise frequent beachgoers.
According to the report, North Jetty, Washington, ranked first, followed by Folly Beach, South Carolina; Newport Beach, California; Laupahoehoe Beach Park, Hawaii; and Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area, Oregon. The remainder of the top 10 included Santa Monica, California; Grand Lake Beach, Colorado; Van Damme State Park, California; Big Sur, California; and Lincoln City, Oregon.
Photo by Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Fortunately, the report also found that even in higher-risk beach destinations, more than 90% of reported incidents were non-violent property crimes, most commonly involving unattended bags or valuables left inside parked vehicles.
“When planning a summer getaway, travelers rarely think about property crime, but unattended phones, wallets and car keys on the sand can be easy targets,” Kathy Morris, spokesperson for The Action Network, said in a statement. “The good news for vacationers is that over 90% of beach-area incidents are non-violent property theft, meaning a little extra situational awareness is usually all it takes to keep your belongings safe while enjoying the shore.”
Getty Images
On the opposite end of the rankings, New Smyrna Town Beach, Florida, was named the safest beach in the study. Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, Sanibel Island, Key West, Siesta Key, Virginia Beach, Kailua, Rehoboth Beach, Hilton Head Island, and Waikiki also landed among the 10 lowest-risk destinations.
The report isn’t meant to scare travelers away from the beach. Instead, it serves as a timely reminder to lock your vehicle, avoid leaving valuables unattended and, if possible, have someone keep an eye on your belongings while you take a swim.
