I suggest you and your family not to venture out after dark. You should have taught your children not talk to speakers. The same applies to Holly ween event. When in doubt talk to a patrolman he will give you professional advice.

My best friend lived on Kotenburg Avenue growing up, and I lived on Willow Glen Way (next to Nevada) and understand your concern living near a main street such as Minnesota. Kotenburg had more foot traffic than my street did, but the vibe on both streets was and is the same, very friendly, family oriented and SAFE. I would feel comfortable sending my kids with a nanny downtown WG and not have any concern with the kids/people you refer to as "shady." People have been hanging out at Quik Stop forever and I don't think that is going be changing any time soon. The family that owns the store are amazingly friendly and actually there is usually a police presence around (I'm not sure if it's Starbucks or just the parking lot they hang out in.) Let me put it to you this way, I'm 30 and over the years I've walked, bicycled, driven by this corner daily and have never seen anything ever go down there, from a fight to a drug deal. Minnesota is safe at night besides a speeding car here and there. I think it's safe enough to allow the kids/nanny out front to play, I would just tell them to watch for cars as you would on any other street. Traffic is definitely slower on Nevada but it's also a smaller street and not a cut through street like Willow Glen Way and Kotenburg (but much more Blewett and Settle.)
Pick up a Willow Glen Times downtown WG to check out recent crimes in the blotter, ALSO if you already haven't , check a megan's law website to make sure there are no child molesters living near you...Good luck with your search!

My recommendation is to hire an agent who is working in that area
exclusively. He will know exactly what is in the neighborhood or what
happen recently, and also try to contact local police department that
is my best recommendation to you...

Hi Bmb9,
Erica gave you the good web sites to check out, but you seem to be familar with the area and if you don't feel safe there, then that is NOT the place to purchase a home. Check the crime web site by all means but trust your own judgement and purchase in an area where you feel safe, that way there won't be any regrets on your purchase and you will have a better peace of mind.
Regards,
Allyson
408-705-6578
allyson@homesbyallyson.com
DRE# 01397256

You can type in any address to http://www.CrimeReports.com and this will show you activity by type.

Willow Glen, in general, is a safer area of San Jose than some other areas and there are so many good parks and restaurants. Go to http://www.WalkScore.com and you will see what I mean.

Another good way to check out an area is to select 5-6 different times of day and evening. My buyers often will drive over to a home or neighborhood at different times of day and different days of the week. So a Monday morning activity would be different than 10 p.m. on a Friday night.

Good luck!

Erica
http://www.EricaNelsonEstates.com
408-416-7090
EricaNelsonEstates@gmail.com

That question really can't be answered by a realtor. Your best bet is to contact the local police department for stats. and answers.