As of April 2017, St. Louis has the highest murder rate in the nation. The violence in the city is escalating at alarming rates. However, local government agencies are working with the governor of Missouri to clean up our streets and restore peace to our beautiful city. While that process is ongoing, it is good to know which areas to avoid in St. Louis.

The following information is for the year 2017 through the end of June. I found the data in a current St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Crime Report. Please keep in mind I am not encouraging anyone to avoid these neighborhoods or attractions in these neighborhoods. With any big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Lock your car doors, don't pick up strangers, don't drive through neighborhoods you are unfamiliar with, and be aware of your surroundings when walking to your car.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported the following places as the top 13 St. Louis neighborhoods you don't want to get caught in after dark.

1. Downtown St. Louis

First on the list of dangerous parts of St. Louis is its downtown. It is listed with a total of 672 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, two rapes, 27 robberies, 37 aggravated assaults, 26 burglaries, 542 reports of larceny, and 36 stolen vehicles. So,is downtown St. Louis safe at night? Downtown St. Louis is currently not a good spot to be once the sun goes down.

2. The Central West End

The Central West End is listed with a total of 549 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, two rapes, 26 robberies, 29 aggravated assaults, 37 burglaries, 412 reports of larceny, and 41 stolen vehicles. It seems like a the Central West End of St. Louis is not a safe place to be at night.

3. Dutchtown

Dutchtown is listed with a total of 536 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, five rapes, 47 robberies, 132 aggravated assaults, 88 burglaries, 211 reports of larceny, and 49 stolen vehicles. Dutchtown is a place you might want to steer clear of in the evenings.

4. Downtown St. Louis West

Downtown St. Louis West is listed with a total of 484 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, six rapes, 42 robberies, 56 aggravated assaults, 16 burglaries, 311 reports of larceny, and 51 stolen vehicles. Downtown St. Louis West is a bad part of St. Louis after dark.

5. Tower Grove South

Tower Grove South is listed with a total of 363 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are one homicide, one rape, 35 robberies, 25 aggravated assaults, 49 burglaries, 216 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. When it comes to areas to avoid in St. Louis, Tower Grove South is fairly high on the list.

6. Baden

Baden is listed with a total of 342 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are four homicides, four rapes, 30 robberies, 58 aggravated assaults, 81 burglaries, 110 reports of larceny, and 50 stolen vehicles.

7. Wells and Goodfellow

Wells and Goodfellow neighborhood is listed with a total of 321 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are 8 homicides, four rapes, 17 robberies, 93 aggravated assaults, 64 burglaries, 99 reports of larceny, and 33 stolen vehicles.

8. Carondelet

Carondelet is listed with a total of 315 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, four rapes, 15 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 165 reports of larceny, and 40 stolen vehicles.

9. Bevo Mill

Bevo Mill is listed with a total of 308 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are two homicides, one rape, 12 robberies, 48 aggravated assaults, 58 burglaries, 151 reports of larceny, and 35 stolen vehicles. It's best to be careful when you're around Bevo Mill, Missouri, one of the worst neighborhoods in St. Louis, after dark.

10. Tower Grove East

Tower Grove East is listed with a total of 302 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, no rapes, 21 robberies, 19 aggravated assaults, 40 burglaries, 194 reports of larceny, and 24 stolen vehicles. Like all of the towns on this list, Tower Grove East features some cool hidden gems.

11. Gravois Park

Gravois Park is listed with a total of 271 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are no homicides, five rapes, 38 robberies, 47 aggravated assaults, 45 burglaries, 104 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles. Gravois Park does have some interesting sites. In fact, it is considered one of the most historic neighborhoods in St. Louis.

12. West End

The West End in St. Louis is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, four rapes, 16 robberies, 50 aggravated assaults, 33 burglaries, 101 reports of larceny, and 31 stolen vehicles.

13. Jeff Vander Lou

Finishing up the list of neighborhoods to avoid in St. Louis is Jeff Vander Lou. Jefferson, Vandeventer, and St. Louis Ave - Jeff Vander Lou - is listed with a total of 241 crimes so far this year. Included in this tally are three homicides, one rape, 17 robberies, 69 aggravated assaults, 28 burglaries, 92 reports of larceny, and 27 stolen vehicles.

Even though these are the realities of the world we live in today, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. Many of these neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods to live in. The culture and history cannot be beaten and there are many really great people in St. Louis.

The numbers are high and disturbing when broken down, but don't give up yet. Join your local public meetings and become a part of the solution. Our city is worth saving. If you think you won't make a difference you are wrong. The more people who are involved in our neighborhoods, the bigger difference we can make.

Want to see more on dangerous towns? Check out the 10 Most Dangerous Towns in Missouri to Live In.