Yakima has experienced a significant increase in gang activity throughout the past decade. This has resulted in a rise of violent crime within the city limits, although incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods. Certain areas near the downtown area should be avoided after nightfall, particularly during the spring and summer months as incidents of violence tend to rise during these seasons. Areas around Martin Luther King Blvd and Custer Avenue can be shady, as is 11th Avenue.
The biggest way to stay safe is to just BE SMART. Be vigilant! Most often when people find themselves in a bad situation, it is because they put themselves in that situation. If you need help, there is a visible police presence in troubled areas. The best way to tell if you are in the wrong part of town is when begin to observe bars over windows and concertina razor wire atop of roofs and building perimeters. Take cue from your surroundings.
During the late summer of 2010, the West Valley area of Yakima experienced a string of burglaries. Take precautions to protect your personal property.
In reality, Yakima is very nice place to visit and the surrounding scenery is just as awesome as the climate. The problems it has are typical in most mid-size cities and rarely effect the average person.
During the summer months, the temperature in Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on being outside for long periods of time, be sure to drink plenty of WATER and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.