Is Highland Park safe?
Capitol Heights, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Highland Park as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Highland Park
“Go with care. Highland Park is a predominantly residential, working-class neighborhood bordering Washington, D.C., with modest homes and quiet side streets. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly along commercial thoroughfares and near transit hubs after dark where property crime and occasional violent incidents occur above national averages.”
Prince George's County law enforcement continues targeted community policing initiatives in the corridor to address recurring property crime and vehicle theft along border transit corridors.
About the area
Highland Park is an established, close-in Prince George's County residential community immediately adjacent to the eastern border of Washington, D.C. It consists largely of mid-century single-family homes, leafy residential streets, and neighborhood churches, offering close proximity to the Capitol Heights Metro station.
- Residential Enclave
- Suburban-Urban Border
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in Highland Park
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 44/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are available near the Capitol Heights Metro station, but dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood are minimal, with most cycling taking place on shared residential roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High rate of long-term homeownership gives interior residential streets a stable neighborhood feel
- Direct and convenient access to the Washington Metro Blue and Silver lines
- Lower density and quieter atmosphere compared to adjacent urban D.C. wards
Cons
- Property crime, vehicle break-ins, and car thefts are elevated compared to national benchmarks
- Limited commercial retail and dining options directly within neighborhood boundaries
- Higher rates of violent crime along nearby commercial corridors and transit nodes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal on the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling or individuals experiencing homelessness can be observed near major intersections and transit hubs along East Capitol Street and Central Avenue.
What Highland Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are quiet and peaceful with residents commuting via car or walking toward the nearby Metro station.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally calm with modest neighborhood activity, school drop-offs, and light residential vehicle traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity slows down substantially on residential blocks, though increased caution is advised along main corridors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become very quiet and isolated, and walking alone late at night is not recommended due to reduced visibility and elevated property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is served by WMATA Metrobus routes (such as the V12 and F14) and TheBus (Prince George's County transit). The Capitol Heights Metro Station (Blue and Silver lines) is within roughly a 10-to-15-minute walk from most neighborhood blocks.
Street parking is generally abundant and unmetered along residential roads, though driveways accommodate most residents; off-street garage parking is rare.
Things to do in Highland Park
- Walk or jog along the peaceful residential loop around Highland Park and adjacent neighborhood blocks
- Visit the nearby Millwood Recreation Center for community sports and outdoor courts
- Explore the nearby Washington border landmarks and regional parks in Prince George's County
Local favorites
- Mid-Atlantic Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.1★ (1150)Longtime local spot known for fried fish platters, crab cakes, and classic soul food sides.
- Caribbean Palace · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.2★ (380)Casual eatery serving authentic jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, and plantains.
- Capitol Heights Carryout · Carryout · 4.0★ (210)Neighborhood staple offering quick-service chicken wings with mumbo sauce and subs.
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.