so a friend of mine is moving for NP school up North California. Thought I should help her out with a combination of list in the below
Here's some helpful websites when you look security/crimes in a place:

• crime reports: local police website, http://www.familywatchdog.us/
• registered sex offenders: http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
• US neighborhood forum: http://www.city-data.com/forum/
• bed bugs: http://bedbugregistry.com/
• your car insurance: may have an idea
• CA law: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/catenant.pdf