Ybor City is one of only two National Landmark Historic Districts in Florida. Many tourists flock to this area of Tampa, Florida as it offers a diversity in shopping, dining, entertainment, and history. Some locals, though, have developed a misguided perception of this local haven from Ybor City's recent heydays at the turn of the millenium.
In the early 2000's, Ybor City businesses were thriving with local business as the revival of Ybor City drew large crowds both day and night. The nightlife in Ybor City was bustling as large crowds gathered both in the bars and clubs as well as on the streets of Ybor. With the mass gathering of so many people in an area which serves alcohol, there was bound to be problems.
As the crowds and crime grew, The City of Tampa made several changes to help reduce crime in Ybor City. In 2004, then-Mayor Pam Iorio inacted a teen curfew to help keep underage teens out of the nightlife scene. With the problems in the streets after nightlife establishments closed, the city re-opened the streets on Fridays and Saturdays in 2005 to allow cars to drive on Seventh Avenue. This was executed to eliminate the party atmosphere in the streets and make Ybor City a safer place. These things along with many other city ordinances like the sound levels clubs can play music, increased police force, and much more have helped decrease crime in Ybor City.
With all the measures that have been put in place to make Ybor City safer, crime has dropped over 80% in the Ybor City district since 2001.
While there have recently been incidences in the Ybor City nightlife scene like the Empire Night Club shooting, the overall crime statistics have dramatically decreased from what many locals may remember Ybor City to have. The local businesses, Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Ybor City Developement Corporation, along with the City of Tampa are all doing their part to make Ybor City a safe and fun experience which is part of the reason Empire Night Club has closed.
Some local news organizations, however, have aided in the bad rep that Ybor City has aquired. There have been several crimes that have happened in East Tampa which the news reported as occuring in Ybor City. In East Ybor, there are also clubs like Club Manilla and Scarlett's @ Ybor Strip which their crimes would not effect those who patronize Ybor City establishments. When the news reports these incidences happen in Ybor City, it is negative publicity that the Ybor City community does not deserve.
The Ybor City clubs are also doing their part to make sure that Ybor City remains a fun and safe place for entertainment. Nightlife clubs like the new Club Ice which attracts the similar hip-hop crowd that Empire Night Club used to attract are patting down everyone who enters the club and there is a strict dress code enforced. Their staff is also very polite and defuse possible situations in a much more professional way which has a positive effect on everyone.
The newer, safer Ybor City has also attracted upscale nightclubs like Tabu Ultra Lounge. They offer club goers an inexpensive, upscale vibe amongst the diversity of all the other Ybor City clubs. This creates a unique experience only Ybor City has to offer where you can find neighborhood bars, cigar bars, dance clubs that have different themed nights like electronic music, latin music, jazz & blues, live music and much more, all within walking distance of each other. With the new upscale atmosphere with places like Tabu Ultra Lounge, Ybor City continues to attract celebrations like birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, wedding receptions, and more.
The nightlife is not the only thing being effected by Ybor City being safer than it ever has been this millenium. Ybor City has also attracted a divergence of companies such as the tech company Savtira to be headquarted in the district. Even the neighborhoods in Ybor City like VM Ybor have exploited from this change in Ybor City's crime rate. They have recently started a community garden as well as built a new KaBOOM! playground and mural at the Cuscaden Park. This shows how being a safer community has made Ybor City an exciting place to live, work, and play.
So despite very few isolated incidents of crime, Ybor City is a much safer place to be than many perceive. Along with all that the City of Tampa has done for Ybor City like the teen curfew, opening the streets back to traffic, and increased security and police force, the local business owners have also done their part to make Ybor City what it is today. This does not mean that you should be careless when you do go to Ybor City, though. While Ybor City is safer than it has been in decades, you should still use normal percautions you would use any place you go out at night like parking in a well lit and secure area (like the Centro Ybor Garage), walking on main streets, and not walking alone when possible. If you haven't been to Ybor City recently, see for yourself what an exciting and safe experience you can share with your friends.
