Is North Lauderdale Lakes safe?
Lauderdale Lakes, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates North Lauderdale Lakes as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on North Lauderdale Lakes
“Go with care. North Lauderdale Lakes is a predominantly working-class residential and commercial suburb where daytime visits for shopping or dining are generally manageable. However, elevated property crime rates and occasional violent incidents along major commercial corridors warrant situational awareness, particularly after dark.”
Broward County Sheriff's Office periodically increases patrols along major corridors in Lauderdale Lakes due to auto thefts and commercial retail theft.
About the area
North Lauderdale Lakes is a dense suburban pocket in central Broward County featuring strip malls, condominium communities, and single-family subdivisions. The area has a rich Caribbean cultural presence reflected in its local eateries and markets along State Road 7 and Commercial Boulevard.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse / Caribbean
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in North Lauderdale Lakes
Walk score: 54/100 · Bike score: 49/100
Biking is mostly confined to standard roadway shoulders and sidewalks along high-speed corridors; there is no dedicated municipal bike-share system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant Caribbean dining and specialty grocery scene
- Close proximity to major regional roadways like Florida's Turnpike and Commercial Boulevard
- Affordable local services and family-owned small businesses
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates trend higher than the Broward County average
- Elevated local poverty rate approaching 20% with below-average median household income
- High incidence of vehicle break-ins in commercial plazas and apartment complexes
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderate and generally concentrated near bus shelters and commercial plazas along State Road 7 and Oakland Park Boulevard, though large encampments are uncommon.
What North Lauderdale Lakes is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally peaceful as residents commute and local retail centers begin opening.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy vehicular traffic along commercial arteries with normal retail foot traffic and moderate safety.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down in residential areas; exercise caution in dimly lit strip mall parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet residential streets but higher risk profile around major thoroughfares where unmonitored parking lots can be targets for theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) provides bus service through the area, notably via Routes 18, 55, and 72 along State Road 7 and Commercial Boulevard; there is no direct rail station within walking distance.
Surface parking is abundant and free in private strip malls and residential community lots, though street parking within subdivisions may be restricted.
Things to do in North Lauderdale Lakes
- Sample authentic Jamaican and Haitian specialties along the State Road 7 commercial strip
- Visit the nearby Vincent Torres Memorial Park for outdoor recreation and community events
- Explore local Caribbean grocery markets and bakeries for imported goods and fresh treats
Local favorites
- Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.1★ (1850)Popular local staple serving classic Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken and oxtail.
- Silver Pond Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.3★ (820)Longstanding dining spot known for traditional Cantonese cuisine and dim sum.
- Taste Rite Bakery · Bakery · 4.4★ (310)Community favorite offering freshly baked Jamaican patties, hard dough bread, and pastries.
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.