Can you tell if a neighborhood is dangerous by looking at its convenience store?

On twitter people were debating if they could tell how dangerous a neighbourhood is based on the convenience store design. Some popular opinions were:

One cup Ozeki

tabloids, fashion magazines

Who can use the toilets?

Where are the trash cans?

Some convenience store staff responded and said these opinions are often not true.

• Why are trash cans kept inside?

• Why can’t customers use the toilet in some places?

(Example Answers)

A neighbourhood is seen as dangerous if…

• There is a large supply of “One cup Ozeki” - very cheap sake

• customers aren’t allowed to use the toilet. (If customers need to ask to use the bathroom, it’s either moderately safe or slightly dangerous)

• there are many tabloids and few fashion magazines

• trash cans are kept inside the store

Store staff response:

• Trash cans may be kept inside if there are many pedestrians walking past - they aren’t customers but throw many things in the bins

• Some buildings don’t have a toilet that customers can access. In places with many bars and pubs the convenience store doesn’t want many non-customers waiting in line to use the toilet

Factors that show the safety of your neighbourhood:

A safety expert recommended considering these factors when choosing a place to live in the US:

• Abandoned houses

• Graffiti

• Thriving local businesses

• No where to buy fresh food

• Many rental properties

• Kids playing outside

• Bars on windows

• Neighbourhood watch groups

• Many community events (e.g. festivals / markets)

Sources:

• https://soranews24.com/2020/09/11/can-you-tell-if-a-japanese-neighborhood-is-dangerous-by-looking-at-its-convenience-store/

• https://www.safewise.com/blog/factors-to-consider-when-determining-the-safety-of-your-neighborhood/