Is South Sunrise safe?
Sunrise, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Sunrise as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Sunrise
“Go. South Sunrise is a stable, established suburban community with calm residential neighborhoods and bustling commercial thoroughfares. While standard urban precautions are recommended around major retail corridors after dark, violent crime is low and the area is generally safe for visitors.”
About the area
South Sunrise is an older suburban district in central Broward County, defined by mid-century single-family homes, mature condo communities, and strip-plaza retail corridors along Sunrise Boulevard and University Drive. It offers authentic Caribbean and Latin American dining, well-kept civic parks, and straightforward highway access across the South Florida metro area.
- Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Strip-Mall Dining
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in South Sunrise
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 51/100
Municipal bike-share programs are not present here, but wider multi-use sidewalks and painted road lanes provide connectivity to regional paths like the C-13 Canal Greenway.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are consistently lower than regional and national metro averages in residential subdivisions.
- Well-equipped public parks, athletic fields, and active community policing by the Sunrise Police Department.
- High vehicle availability and stable homeownership rates provide a settled suburban environment.
Cons
- Commercial strip plazas along Sunrise Boulevard experience occasional retail theft and vehicle break-ins.
- High-speed multi-lane arterials create pedestrian and traffic hazards along main roads.
- Some older rental corridors and commercial buildings show minor deferred maintenance.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals near major commercial intersections and bus stops along Sunrise Boulevard. Encampments are not a prominent feature in the area.
What South Sunrise is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Subdivisions are tranquil with local joggers, school drop-offs, and commuters, feeling very safe.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Plazas and roads are busy with shoppers and local commerce, maintaining a safe and active environment.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining plazas remain steadily populated and comfortable, though lighting can be dim on secondary streets.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential roads are quiet with minimal foot traffic, requiring standard awareness around late-night commercial strips.
Transit, parking and getting around
Broward County Transit (BCT) operates local bus routes through the area, primarily Routes 22, 36, and 81 along major thoroughfares. There is no rail station in Sunrise; the nearest Tri-Rail and Brightline stations are located about 8 miles east in Fort Lauderdale.
Parking is abundant and free in suburban shopping plaza lots and public park facilities. On-street parking is restricted within many private condo developments and HOA-managed subdivisions.
Things to do in South Sunrise
- Play tennis, baseball, or walk the trails at the Sunrise Athletic Complex (SAC).
- Sample diverse international cuisine along the Sunset Strip and University Drive corridors.
- Relax at Roarke Hall and surrounding community park spaces near the neighborhood center.
Local favorites
- Silver Pond Restaurant · Chinese Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)Long-standing, highly rated venue renowned for authentic Cantonese specialties and dim sum.
- Scruby's BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1920)Casual South Florida staple serving slow-smoked meats, garlic bread, and classic homestyle sides.
- Tin Cup Sports Bar · Sports Bar · 4.4★ (760)Neighborhood gathering spot offering draft beer, bar games, and classic pub fare with numerous TV screens.
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.