Is Durrs safe?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Durrs as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Durrs
“Go with care. Durrs is a predominantly residential and historic neighborhood with authentic local character, but it records above-average rates of both property and violent crime. Casual tourists with no specific destination will find little infrastructure for visitors, so daytime visits focused on community spots or specific local eateries are best.”
Local community initiatives and Fort Lauderdale Police have increased targeted patrols and community policing efforts following sporadic neighborhood gun violence and property crime in the broader northwest sector.
About the area
Durrs is a historic Black neighborhood in northwest Fort Lauderdale just north of Sunrise Boulevard. The area is characterized by modest mid-century single-family homes, neighborhood churches, and small commercial corridors. While rich in local community ties, it faces significant economic headwinds and safety challenges compared to the city's coastal areas.
- Residential
- Historic
- Community-Focused
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Durrs
Walk score: 61/100 · Bike score: 58/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is sparse within neighborhood streets, and there are no direct docking stations for Broward BCycle; cyclists must share mixed-traffic roads with vehicles.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Rich local cultural history with deep-rooted community organizations and churches
- Close proximity to major thoroughfares like Sunrise Boulevard and I-95 for quick transit across Broward County
- Active neighborhood associations working on revitalization, park improvements, and street lighting
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above national and city averages
- Higher poverty rates exceeding 25% with lower median household incomes relative to Broward County
- Occasional nighttime street disturbances and localized illicit activity along major border corridors
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily concentrated along the commercial stretches of Sunrise Boulevard and major bus stops rather than inside residential blocks.
What Durrs is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Generally quiet with residents commuting and children heading to school; walking is low stress with basic situational awareness.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Moderate street activity with local foot traffic around convenience stores and bus stops, feeling mostly calm in residential interior streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity diminishes in residential pockets while traffic picks up on surrounding arteries; extra caution is advisable after dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking alone is not recommended due to reduced visibility, isolated side streets, and higher potential for opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates local bus routes along Sunrise Boulevard and NW 9th Avenue (Route 36 and Route 40). The Fort Lauderdale Brightline and Tri-Rail stations are approximately 1.5 to 2 miles southeast in downtown.
Free residential street parking and private driveway parking are typical throughout the neighborhood; commercial plazas along Sunrise Blvd offer free surface lots without meters.
Things to do in Durrs
- Visit the nearby historic African-American Research Library and Cultural Center to explore regional history and cultural exhibits
- Enjoy outdoor recreation, basketball courts, and community events at nearby Osswald Park
- Explore local Bahamian and Caribbean culinary traditions at neighborhood food spots along adjacent thoroughfares
Local favorites
- Betty's Soul Food Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Longstanding local institution serving generous portions of classic oxtail, fried chicken, and collard greens.
- Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant · Jamaican Restaurant · 4.1★ (840)Popular counter-service spot offering authentic jerk chicken, curry goat, and plantains just south of the neighborhood.
- Snappers Fish & Chicken · Seafood & Fast Food · 4.0★ (620)Casual neighborhood staple known for seasoned fried conch, catfish, and wings with quick service.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.