Is Four By Four safe?
Baltimore, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Four By Four as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Four By Four
“Go with care. Four By Four is an intensely residential, tight-knit Northeast Baltimore enclave that experiences elevated property crime and occasional violent incidents spillover from surrounding corridors. Casual visitors will find little tourist infrastructure, so visits are best kept to daylight hours with a clear destination in mind.”
Northeast Baltimore policing and community safety initiatives have focused on curbing illegal firearm possession and auto thefts along the Belair Road and Sinclair Lane commercial corridors.
About the area
Four By Four is a compact residential neighborhood in Northeast Baltimore characterized by traditional brick rowhomes and strong block association roots. It borders major transit thoroughfares like Belair Road and Erdman Avenue, offering quick access to greater Baltimore despite limited internal commercial amenities.
- Residential
- Historic Rowhomes
- Urban Enclave
Walking and biking in Four By Four
Walk score: 68/100 · Bike score: 49/100
There is no dedicated bike-share station within the boundaries, but the Herring Run Trail is accessible less than a mile east, providing a paved multi-use connection for cyclists.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Active local block associations and community garden initiatives fostering neighbor cohesion
- High rates of long-term tenancy compared to some adjacent east-side neighborhoods
- Direct arterial access to Herring Run Park and regional shopping corridors along Sinclair Lane
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above national averages
- Elevated residential vacancy and blighted structures on select boundary blocks
- Pockets of lower median household income and limited immediate commercial amenities within interior streets
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal on interior residential blocks but occasionally observed in the form of panhandling along commercial intersections near Belair Road and Erdman Avenue.
What Four By Four is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are relatively calm with residents commuting and children heading to school; general awareness is adequate.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Activity picks up along perimeter thoroughfares, with standard neighborhood foot traffic and generally manageable conditions.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Foot traffic dwindles on interior residential streets, and heightened situational awareness is recommended after dusk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late-night walking is not recommended due to reduced visibility, isolated side streets, and higher risk of opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
MTA Maryland provides direct bus access via CityLink Brown and local routes like the 28 and 54 running along Belair Road and Erdman Avenue. The nearest metro subway or light rail stations are several miles away, making buses and rideshares the primary transit options.
Street parking is generally unmetered and readily available on most residential streets, though evening spots directly in front of rowhomes can fill up quickly. There are no public parking garages in the neighborhood.
Things to do in Four By Four
- Explore the nearby walking paths and scenic greenery of Herring Run Park
- Shop for local produce and household goods at the adjacent Belair-Edison and Erdman shopping centers
- Take a self-guided architectural walk viewing early-to-mid 20th-century classic Baltimore brick rowhouse styles
Local favorites
- K&S Carryout · Takeout Restaurant · 4.1★ (115)Neighborhood staple offering classic Baltimore carryout specials, wings, and seafood platters.
- Sunny's Sub · Sandwich Shop · 4.2★ (180)Straightforward counter-serve spot known for generous cheesesteaks and breakfast sandwiches on Belair Road.
- Belair Edison Diner · Diner · 4.3★ (460)Cozy, traditional diner nearby serving hearty all-day breakfast plates and comfort food.
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.