Most dangerous cities in Ohio research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Ohio.
We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 239 Ohio cities. Here are the results of our analysis:
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The most dangerous city in Ohio is Cleveland based on the most recent FBI crime data.
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The violent crime rate in Ohio is 1,561 per 100k people.
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The property crime rate in Ohio is 4,426 per 100k people.
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The safest city in Ohio is Broadview Heights.
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Ohio is the 29th most dangerous state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References
Ohio has seen a decrease in the relevance of its most prominent industries over the past several decades. People have been leaving cities like Cleveland and Columbus for coastal cities or Chicago with higher tech job prospects. Not to mention the Opioid Epidemic that finds its ground zero almost directly in the center of Ohio.
The result is that there are dangerous places in Ohio.
Luckily, we’re here with the numbers. To determine the most dangerous places in Ohio, we used Saturday Night Science to review the FBI’s latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for the 239 cities with over 5,000 residents.
So grab some Skyline Chili with a side of Buckeyes for dessert as we walk you through our analysis of dangerous cities in Ohio.
The Most Dangerous Cities In Ohio For 2025
What is the most dangerous place in Ohio for 2025? The most dangerous city in Ohio is Cleveland.
The larger cities didn’t fare much better. Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati ranked in our list of the top ten most dangerous cities.
For more Ohio reading, check out:
- Most dangerous cities in the US
- Best Places To Live In Ohio
- Cheapest Places To Live In Ohio
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Ohio
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Ohio For 2025
/10
Population: 362,762
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,561 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,426 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 109
More on Cleveland: Data
Ohio’s 2nd most populous city and the home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is also one of the most dangerous places to live in the state.
Once again, Cleveland had the highest violent crime rate in Ohio, with residents facing a 1 in 64 chance of being attacked in 2024. That includes the third highest murder rate and second highest rate of rape cases statewide.
Additionally, Cleveland ranked worse for property crime this year than last year. But don’t rule the whole city out because of this result; there are still plenty of safe neighborhoods in Cleveland to choose from.
/10
Population: 57,911
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,371 (Third most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,515 (Fifth most dangerous)
Murders: 4
More on Springfield: Data
Located a half-hour northeast of Dayton, Springfield is Ohio’s second most dangerous city. Springfield experienced about two burglaries a day on average in 2024 — that’s enough to give it the highest burglary rate statewide.
Overall, people in Springfield had a 1 in 22 chance of having their stuff stolen or damaged.
At least you can get away from the crime-filled streets of Springfield at Buck Creek State Park… just bring a buddy and get home before dark.
/10
Population: 19,603
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,050 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,958 (Third most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Whitehall: Data
Next up on our list of Ohio’s most dangerous cities is Whitehall, a suburb of Columbus. Whitehall has some of the highest violent crime numbers in the state, including the 43rd highest murder rate. That’s a murder every other month, which is quite high for a city of just 19,603.
Property crime also ranks as the third highest statewide, with about three cases occurring each day on average.
At least you can get away from all this crime by spending a relaxing day looking at flowers at the Franklin Park Conservatory nearby.
/10
Population: 134,857
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,339 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,334 (Eighth most dangerous)
Murders: 40
More on Dayton: Data
Up next on our list is Dayton, Ohio’s 6th biggest city. Dayton had the third highest burglary rate statewide in 2024 and averaged about two car thefts a day.
We just hope no one pulls a Grand Theft Auto move and steals a plane from the Air Force Museum or a classic car from the Packard Museum.
Violent crime is even worse in Dayton — the city had the fourth highest murder rate in Ohio, with about one murder each week, on average. Dayton also had the tenth highest rate of rape cases statewide and the fourth highest violent crime rate overall.
/10
Population: 6,636
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 587 (16th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 6,404 (Second most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Moraine: Data
A part of the Dayton Metro Area, Moraine is a small city of just 6,636 and the fifth most dangerous place to live in Ohio.
In actuality, Moraine has the third highest overall crime rate in Ohio for 2024, but most of that comes from having the second highest rate of property crime in the state.
Unfortunately, the crime problem doesn’t end with property in Moraine. The city also had the 15highest murder rate in Ohio for 2024.
/10
Population: 68,725
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,121 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,454 (13th most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Canton: Data
We’re kicking our list up a notch with the sixth most dangerous places to live in Ohio for 2025 — Canton, a city of 68,725 located approximately 20 miles south of Akron.
We hope they have enough security guarding the memorabilia on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton because the city had the fourth highest burglary rate in all of Ohio. Overall, residents faced a 1 in 28 chance of being the victim of a property crime in 2024.
And the bad news just keeps on coming for Canton. The city experienced the sixth highest rate of rape cases in the whole state, and the overall violent crime rate is the fifth highest.
/10
Population: 311,599
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 845 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,829 (11th most dangerous)
Murders: 68
More on Cincinnati: Data
There might be lions and tigers and bears at the Cincinnati Zoo, but it turns out that the city’s streets are the really dangerous place.
Cincinnati has the sixth highest murder rate in Ohio, with more than one murder per week, on average, in 2024. Overall, Cincinnati’s residents had a 1 in 118 chance of being attacked over the year.
Not to mention that 2,760 cars got stolen and 1,709 burglaries went down. A good chunk of this crime comes from Cincinatti’s worst neighborhoods, so if you steer clear of those, you should be all right.
/10
Population: 13,336
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,409 (Second most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,999 (20th most dangerous)
Murders: 5
More on East Cleveland: Data
/10
Population: 17,343
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 714 (12th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,857 (Tenth most dangerous)
Murders: 3
More on Portsmouth: Data
In the early 20th century, Portsmouth was known for its shoes and paving bricks. With this manufacturing backbone, the town, located across the river from Kentucky in the south-central part of Ohio, saw rapid growth starting in the last part of the 19th century. This economic stimulus led the population to quadruple from 1870 to 1930.
However, the time since has seen a reversal of fortune. The area’s current population of 17,343 is less than half its pre-Great Depression peak. This long decline, spurred by economic dislocation, has led to many problems for the community, including increased crime. The rate of burglaries is particularly high, with 118 such crimes in a year.
Population: 8,195
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 439 (24th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 6,564 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 1
More on Butler: Data
Crime By City In Ohio
| Rank | City | Population | Total Crimes Per 100K | Violent Crimes Per 100K | Property Crimes Per 100K | Murders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | 362,762 | 5,987 | 1,561 | 4,426 | 109 |
| 2 | Springfield | 57,911 | 5,886 | 1,371 | 4,515 | 4 |
| 3 | Whitehall | 19,603 | 7,009 | 1,050 | 5,958 | 1 |
| 4 | Dayton | 134,857 | 5,673 | 1,339 | 4,334 | 40 |
| 5 | Moraine | 6,636 | 6,992 | 587 | 6,404 | 0 |
| 6 | Canton | 68,725 | 4,576 | 1,121 | 3,454 | 2 |
| 7 | Cincinnati | 311,599 | 4,674 | 845 | 3,829 | 68 |
| 8 | East Cleveland | 13,336 | 4,409 | 1,409 | 2,999 | 5 |
| 9 | Portsmouth | 17,343 | 4,572 | 714 | 3,857 | 3 |
| 10 | Butler | 8,195 | 7,004 | 439 | 6,564 | 1 |
| 11 | North College Hill | 9,401 | 4,084 | 914 | 3,169 | 1 |
| 12 | Lima | 34,552 | 4,127 | 758 | 3,368 | 6 |
| 13 | Akron | 188,223 | 3,775 | 820 | 2,955 | 24 |
| 14 | Springdale | 11,096 | 3,857 | 477 | 3,379 | 1 |
| 15 | Toledo | 263,668 | 3,773 | 1,041 | 2,732 | 32 |
| 16 | Trotwood | 22,895 | 3,516 | 698 | 2,817 | 6 |
| 17 | Piqua | 20,861 | 3,513 | 522 | 2,991 | 0 |
| 18 | Youngstown | 58,850 | 3,440 | 688 | 2,752 | 11 |
| 19 | Zanesville | 24,610 | 3,173 | 333 | 2,840 | 0 |
| 20 | Columbus | 915,447 | 3,088 | 434 | 2,653 | 112 |
| 21 | Mount Healthy | 6,809 | 2,893 | 469 | 2,423 | 3 |
| 22 | Reynoldsburg | 41,277 | 2,878 | 479 | 2,398 | 1 |
| 23 | Sandusky | 23,981 | 2,977 | 387 | 2,589 | 3 |
| 24 | Niles | 18,202 | 3,076 | 291 | 2,785 | 1 |
| 25 | Lancaster | 41,687 | 2,530 | 405 | 2,125 | 5 |
| 26 | Chillicothe | 21,848 | 4,847 | 205 | 4,641 | 0 |
| 27 | Van Wert | 11,018 | 3,485 | 235 | 3,249 | 0 |
| 28 | Norwood | 19,057 | 3,395 | 241 | 3,153 | 0 |
| 29 | Cheviot | 8,504 | 2,387 | 317 | 2,069 | 0 |
| 30 | Garfield Heights | 28,876 | 2,334 | 464 | 1,870 | 2 |
| 31 | Oregon | 19,639 | 4,399 | 193 | 4,205 | 1 |
| 32 | Sidney | 20,230 | 2,392 | 311 | 2,081 | 1 |
| 33 | Barberton | 24,375 | 2,379 | 303 | 2,075 | 0 |
| 34 | Hamilton | 62,860 | 2,370 | 313 | 2,056 | 2 |
| 35 | Sharonville | 13,811 | 2,201 | 318 | 1,882 | 0 |
| 36 | Fremont | 15,782 | 2,534 | 272 | 2,262 | 1 |
| 37 | Wooster | 26,966 | 2,351 | 285 | 2,065 | 0 |
| 38 | Jackson | 6,190 | 2,310 | 290 | 2,019 | 0 |
| 39 | Massillon | 32,569 | 2,133 | 316 | 1,817 | 2 |
| 40 | Alliance | 21,490 | 2,335 | 274 | 2,061 | 0 |
| 41 | Lorain | 65,374 | 2,132 | 581 | 1,551 | 2 |
| 42 | West Carrollton | 12,798 | 2,000 | 351 | 1,648 | 0 |
| 43 | Uhrichsville | 5,122 | 2,069 | 624 | 1,444 | 1 |
| 44 | Franklin | 11,642 | 2,679 | 188 | 2,490 | 0 |
| 45 | Ontario | 6,650 | 3,609 | 150 | 3,458 | 0 |
| 46 | Colerain | 58,402 | 2,181 | 251 | 1,929 | 1 |
| 47 | Findlay | 40,089 | 1,948 | 314 | 1,633 | 2 |
| 48 | Forest Park | 19,730 | 1,971 | 283 | 1,687 | 1 |
| 49 | Heath | 10,781 | 4,535 | 129 | 4,405 | 0 |
| 50 | Circleville | 14,623 | 1,983 | 280 | 1,702 | 1 |
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Ohio for 2025?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Ohio. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Ohio, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the 2024 data, specifically the 2024 Crime In The United States Report for Ohio.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Ohio cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 239 cities in Ohio.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 239 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.
Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Ohio — Cleveland. Any ties went to the smaller city.
This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Ohio and is updated for 2025.
Most Dangerous Places To Live In Ohio FAQs
No, Ohio is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #16 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Ohio ranks 33rd most dangerous in the United States — 16.51% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Buckeye State ranks 29th most dangerous in the United States — 5.32% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.
Yes, Columbus is a dangerous city. Columbus ranks as the #98 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Columbus might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, Bexley is the safest in Columbus, while Franklinton is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Columbus ranks 176th highest in America — 18.71% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 75th highest in the United States — 27.69% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Ohio
Summary: Locking It All Up In Ohio
So what is the most dangerous city in Ohio? After analyzing 239 cities in Ohio, Cleveland takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Ohio based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2024.
The latest FBI crime data shows that Cleveland ranks as the most dangerous city in Ohio for 2025.
The most dangerous cities in Ohio are .
We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Cleveland and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.
What is the most dangerous place in Ohio for 2025? The most dangerous city in Ohio is Cleveland.
The larger cities didn’t fare much better. Cleveland, Dayton, and Cincinnati ranked in our list of the top ten most dangerous cities.
Learn more about the safest places in Ohio.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
Here are the safest cities in Ohio:
- Mayfield Heights (Pop. 19,792)
- Olmsted (Pop. 14,535)
- Madeira (Pop. 9,400)
- Brecksville (Pop. 14,045)
- Avon Lake (Pop. 26,167)
- Olmsted Falls (Pop. 8,638)
- Genoa (Pop. 28,085)
- Whitehouse (Pop. 5,082)
- Grafton (Pop. 5,754)
- Broadview Heights (Pop. 19,709)
For more Ohio reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Ohio
- Cheapest Places To Live In Ohio
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Ohio
- Safest Places In Ohio
- Worst Places To Live In Ohio
Columbus, Oh is not even listed. How accurate is this list when one of Ohio’s largest cities is not even included?
Whitehall is in Columbus city limits pretty much.
You have to look further down the article. Columbus is at #22
I doubt the accuracy since Columbus, Lancaster, Steubenville and others not listed. Crime in the cities are closely related to poverty. Southern Ohio has a lack of jobs and a lot of poverty as do many inner cities. Most city crime is drug related and that’s everywhere.
How about the dirty south. Southside columbus. And Cincinnati is not top 3….wronggggg..
Was it appropriate to give violent crime and property crime equal weight in calculating danger scores?
“Dangerous” should just mean violent crime. They shouldn’t have included property crimes. The real list of 10 most dangerous cities in Ohio should be:
1. Cleveland
2. Toledo
3. Lima
4. Canton
5. Cincinnati
6. Dayton
7. Youngstown
8. Akron
9. Whitehall
10. Springfield
Before you put your name to anything this critical you should be careful coming to any conclusions until you check reported crimes compared to actual crimes. Even though the FBI provide the tools needed to come up with these results they, and you have no way to tell how and why the reports were taken.
no,that list couldnt be right cause dayton wasnt in there.portsmouth is just a small,tiny town of 99,000 nothing like dayton,akron,cincinnati dont believe that.
East cleveland
They were using the UCR which does not take into account dark figure crimes, as well as the UCR only takes the most violent or deviant crimes committed, so if there are multiple crimes committed at one time the worst crime will be the only one reported. Just keep that in mind!
Youngstown was the murder capital of the USA per captita 2001-2003.
In fact I passed a woman wearing a shirt today that had “Youngstown, Ohio murder capital of America, 2001-2003 come heavy or don’t come at all”. LOL Still true today no matter how many gentrified craft beer places they can prop up throughout the area.
come up in new philadelphia ohio you get your head taken off your shoulders
“Springfield, a suburb of St. Louis,”. Unless you are writing about some other state, St. Louis is more than 500 miles away in Missouri. The last I checked there were two states inbetween Ohio and Missouri. Now Springfield, Ohio is small city halfway inbetween Dayton and Columbus and is not considered a suburb of either although it is considered to be in the Dayton CSA
The article says that Springfield Ohio is a st. Louis suburb St Louis is in Missouri
This site, “roadsnacks,” dies not ascribe to any respected methods of research. Much of the information posted in this piece is indeed false. Not only did they put two of the cities on the list as two suburbs of St. Louis Missouri, but their population statistics and crime rates are not even close.
I really dislike places that do this. But people are gullible and believe whatever they are fed.
135 homocides in Columbus as of December 22 that’s the murder cap of ohio
Chris Kolmar, You and your site have zero credibility. You stated that Springfield and Whitehall were suburbs of St. Louis. The last time I looked at a map there were TWO STATES between Ohio and Missouri.They are Indiana and Illinois. Not even Springfield, Missouri is a suburb of St. Louis, They are 250 miles apart. How do you make such mistakes? Your facts are wrong in more ways than one. You contradict yourself. You claim both Dayton and Whitehall are the most dangerous.
Your article lists Springfield as a suburb of St. Louis. So, did you look at data for Springfield Missouri or Springfield Ohio? Perhaps double check that geography before publishing.
Why does the Springfield article refer to to it as a suburb of st Louis?
Yes! Finally something about link.
Well at least they updated Springfield to be a suburb of Columbus, which it isn’t….. sigh.
Dear Gentlemen
Highly disagree with your data and facts on ranking Springfield No. 2 as dangerous to live in Ohio.
We (Springfield, Ohio) is by far the best city in Ohio to live in.
Springfield have gone from strictly depending on manufacturing for employment to a mixture of employers. Springfield has several industrial parks and Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport.
We are home To Wittenberg University and Clark State Community College with wonderful Public and Private Schools.
Great amenities like a brewery with farmers market during winter months, ice arena, baseball, parks and recreation, fantastic Summer Arts Programs in Veterans Park.
Springfield, Ohio has an abundance of group and organizations with events and programs. We are home to the John Legend Theater with year-round plays and programs.
We Springfield, Ohio are an inviting city, look forward to you considering using personal visits and speaking with Greater Springfield Chamber Of Commerce, Elected Officials and people in our great city instead of hiding behind data.
Sincerely,
Joyce Chilton
Hey Joyce Chilton with all do respect.If your really going to be this upset with this web site for putting out the truth about Springfield Ohio.Lets be honest about Springfield Ohio, this city does indeed have its own problems and not only that back 2012 or 2013 we had an economic fail going on in this city. Why not add the fact that Springfield Ohio has a lot of crimes here mostly home invasion,robberys,theft and drug abuse. The sad part about Springfield Ohio is that city hall isn’t doing or saying anything about daily crimes that are happening over there at the low income Ronez Manor Apartments. Plus there’s crimes over in South Limestone. And lets also point out that Springfield Ohio population is decreasing. Work places are going out of business and I like to know 2 things about food restaurants. Why is it we have more fast food places than just regular sit down restaurants? Plus how come when it comes to fast food places that we don’t have Chick-Fi-La in this city. Now another thing i want to bring up is downtown Springfield Ohio. For the long time you and the rest of city hall that you guys are trying everyday to rebuild Springfield Ohio. How in the world are you guys trying if all you commissioners are basically wasting taxpayers money by restructuring the roads terrying down old homes and vacant businesses. You also pointed at the fact that this city has a ice rink and plus John Legend theater and of course you left out the fact every year in the month of May we have a parade for our vets on memorial day and on the month of December we have a lights in the city Christmas special. Where my concern is Joyce is that there’s not much fun activity here in Springfield Ohio. Back 2009 or 2010 i question our mayor Warren Copeland about activitys for youn men,women and children.And all that mayor did was yes me away just like he does with everybody else. Some people around here all they do for fun around is eat,shop and often times go to that game cycle video game store to play retro arcade games. I gave you guys some ideas what you can bring to Springfield Ohio like a indoor skateboard park for all skater fans or how about bringing some sort indy pro wrestling event here to Springfield Ohio or something. What drives me crazy is that this city for a quite long time Springfield Ohio said that one day this city will become like a NYC instead it’s becoming the bad side like Detroit Michigan. So if you don’t want sites to write bad things about our city than do us all a favor and tell Warren Copeland to get his butt up and tell Springfield Ohio to come together and rebuild this city and bring more fun activitys for Springfield Ohio.
This is Valerie Lough, Community Information Coordinator for the City of Springfield. It is worth noting that, while you are sourcing FBI uniform crime reporting, you are assigning a per capita number that includes property crime as well as violent crime. The FBI has routinely cautioned against using crime rankings as they can lead to simplistic analysis, that can create misleading perceptions. Property crimes include theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary. This is misleading, as many people tend to associate “danger” with violent crime, not property crime. Thank you for your time.
Whitehall you must be from Columbus Whitehall is a little area in Columbus. It is not a city. Your information is false. Cleveland is by far the most dangerous.
Made in North Carolina, that’s why this website sucks so much. Bigotry and hate capital of the USA – fueled by ignorance – as exemplified in this article.
Seriously, with so many basic errors in this article, why would anyone give credence to anything posted here.
Actually Whitehall has been a city since 1947.
Ive lived in several of th de biggest cities in Ohio. Also spent most of my life in Cleveland’s east and west side… As a whole Cleveland is without a doubt the worst city in ohio especially among the biggest Cleveland, Youngstown-Warren, Dayton, Cincinati, Toledo, Akron-Canton,
where is Massillon? If you have clumped it in with Canton, you have never been there.
Toledo is only 2 counties away from Detroit. It’s been nicknamed “Little Detroit”.
Toledo has 158 street gangs for a city of only 274,975 residents which is bad. It also had a Gang Riot in 2005 kind of like a smaller scale version of the Rodney King riots where rival gang members unified together for one day just to riot. It’s only 2 counties away from Detroit.
Toledo is also one of the first cities where Folk Nation gangs and People Nation gangs directly from Chicago migrated to during the Early 1980s which makes the Gangster Disciples and Latin Counts chapters in Toledo some of the oldest Folk and People chapters in America.
The Bloods in Toledo are older than Bloods in New York City. The first Blood gang in Toledo has been around since 1986 (before the movie “Colors” was made). Their name was Lawrence Blood Villains and used to wear their bandanas out the right side of their back pockets like the Bloods from Los Angeles before they joined the People Nation for protection in the Midwest prison system and switch to the left side because the Midwest Crip gangs were allied with the Folk Nation back then. The bloods didn’t show up in NYC until 1993.