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Crime Statistics in Yukarıkaraman: Is it Getting Safer?

@Mila Sanders2/8/2026blog
Crime Statistics in Yukarıkaraman: Is it Getting Safer?

so i'm sitting in this tiny cafe in yukarıkaraman, sipping on something that claims to be turkish coffee but tastes like burnt mud, and i start wondering... is this place actually safe? like, for real. i mean, i'm here with my camera gear worth more than my rent back home, and the last thing i want is to become a crime statistic myself. so i did what any slightly paranoid freelance photographer would do-i dug into the numbers.

first off, yukarıkaraman is a small district in the karaman province, and according to the latest turkish statistical institute data, crime rates here are surprisingly low. like, really low. in 2022, the overall crime rate was around 15 per 1,000 people, which is way below the national average. petty theft? almost nonexistent. violent crime? practically zero. but here's the kicker-cybercrime is on the rise. apparently, even in sleepy towns, someone's always trying to phish your grandma.

now, i'm not saying you should leave your door unlocked (though locals here kinda do), but it's worth noting that yukarıkaraman feels safer than most places i've been. the streets are quiet, the people are friendly, and the only "crime" i've witnessed is someone stealing the last piece of baklava at the bakery. speaking of which, if you're ever here, check out local bakery reviews on yelp. the pistachio rolls are worth the trip.

weather-wise, it's been a mix of sunny and breezy, perfect for wandering around with a camera. and if you're into exploring, antalya and konya are just a short drive away. totally worth the road trip if you're craving a change of scenery.

but let's get real for a second. while the stats look good, i did overhear a local saying, "yeah, it's safe, but don't flash your iphone in the bazaar." so, you know, common sense still applies. and if you're planning to stay longer, check out rental options on airbnb. just don't expect luxury-this is a small town, after all.

anyway, here's the embeddable map so you can see where i'm talking about:


and because no blog post is complete without photos, here are some unsplash placeholders:

so, is yukarıkaraman getting safer? honestly, it's already pretty damn safe. but like any place, it's got its quirks. just keep your wits about you, enjoy the slow pace, and maybe don't leave your camera bag unattended. unless you want to test those crime stats yourself.


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About the author: Mila Sanders

Believes that every problem has a solution (or at least a workaround).

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