Is Silver Hill safe?
Suitland, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Silver Hill as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Silver Hill
“Go with care. Silver Hill offers convenient commuter access to Washington, D.C. and the Suitland Federal Center, but visitors should remain vigilant. Elevated rates of property crime and occasional violent incidents, particularly near retail centers and large apartment clusters, make standard precautions necessary.”
County law enforcement continues targeted patrols along the Silver Hill Road corridor to curb recurring incidents of vehicle theft, carjackings, and retail-strip property crime.
About the area
Silver Hill is an inner-beltway suburban community in Prince George's County, Maryland, positioned just southeast of Washington, D.C. The area is characterized by mid-century single-family homes, multi-family apartment communities, and busy auto-oriented commercial strips. It functions predominantly as a commuter enclave with direct access to regional transit and government employment hubs.
- Suburban Commuter
- Car-Dependent
- Commercial Strips
- Residential
Walking and biking in Silver Hill
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 38/100
Dedicated cycling infrastructure is minimal, with no major bike-share docks or paved regional greenways directly traversing the neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient proximity to the Green Line Metro and major routes like the Suitland Parkway and I-495
- Established residential pockets with modest single-family homeownership
- Close access to federal facilities, including the Suitland Federal Center and Smithsonian conservation facilities
Cons
- Property crime and violent crime rates exceed national averages, particularly in high-density multi-family complexes
- Frequent reports of auto theft, vehicle break-ins, and catalytic converter theft in parking areas
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure along high-speed commercial corridors like Silver Hill Road and Branch Avenue
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional panhandling noted at major intersections along Silver Hill Road and near bus stops, but no extensive encampments are present.
What Silver Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Morning hours are relatively quiet on residential blocks while commuters head toward the Metro and arterial roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons bring active commercial traffic and busy plazas, requiring basic awareness in parking lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity tapers off quickly after sunset, and poorly lit pockets warrant increased personal caution.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking late at night is not recommended due to sporadic violent crime, dark corridors, and vehicle-related offenses.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA provides public transit access via the Green Line at the nearby Suitland Metro Station, with local connections provided by Metrobus routes including the P12, V12, and K12 along Silver Hill Road.
Parking is straightforward and free in surface lots fronting shopping centers, while residential side streets generally provide ample unmetered curbside parking.
Things to do in Silver Hill
- Explore the unique coastal plain wetlands and boardwalk at the nearby Suitland Bog Sanctuary
- Enjoy outdoor recreational facilities, basketball courts, and playground space at Bradbury Park
- Visit the nearby Smithsonian Museum Support Center and conservation facilities during designated public programs
Local favorites
- Topolino · Italian Restaurant · 4.4★ (1820)Long-running neighborhood staple serving hearty Italian-American classics, pasta dishes, and specialty pizzas.
- Silvestre Chicken · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.3★ (430)Popular counter-serve spot known for charcoal-broiled rotisserie chicken, plantains, and traditional sides.
- Danny's Sub Shop · Sandwich Shop · 4.4★ (510)Casual local takeout joint serving classic steak subs, fried chicken wings, and crinkle-cut fries.
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.