It seems to be a secret that much of UC is safer than
"On Campus"
Rittenhouse / Fitler Square or
Society Hill.
Maybe it feels counterintuitive.
"West" might evoke "Wild"
Tree shaded streets might feel eerie after dark
But, the last time I checked FBI statistics
Muggings were more common in Society Hill
Car Break ins more common in Rittenhouse Square
and Rape more common in both SH & RS than in UC.
I also remember noting that the City as a whole was at about the
statistical mean for crime for the entire region.
(This means that 50% of the Suburbs were less safe than the city.)
And, as to the breakdown in UC, I seem to remember that the worst streets
for crime were the "on-campus" street of Sansom from 34th to 36th and
40th Street from the El at market to the Portal at Baltimore.
The 40th Street corridor has always been one of mixed blessings. I enjoy
use of the Bridge, the supermarket, pet store, Lounge and restaurants,
street venders and Post Office. But, the movie theaters are a public and
attractive nuisance and convenient Septa can also be transportation for a
quick "get away". (Although with fast action and good identification,
SEPTA can also be a closed system for easy capture.) The current story
seems to act as a reminder to be more cautious near 40th Street
(attractive nuisances) and near collections of people that might be "just
friends" but could be "wolf packs".
We live in an urban world. We have many greater connections and
intersections.
In UC, our chances of being mugged are not statistically higher, but our
chances of hearing the echo of the mugging are. We shouldn't forego the
pleasures of our great homes, convenient events and services and easy
access to work and travel because of the exaggerated perception of crime.
We should act in a forthright manner to avoid it and we should work to
protect our weaker members.
I am sorry that the female victim in the story got a chipped tooth, but I
am happy that her courage and tenacity resulted in pulling three
miscreants off the street. If she reads this and can document her
actions with a police report, I'll donate $30 bucks toward her dental
fund. She just made my kids, who love independent viewing of movies at
the Bridge, a little safer. I have had surprisingly little personal
experience with crime. Surprising because I am an insomniac, night
walker; a property owner with too many possessions and am part of a
multi- car family. I have dropped wallets and had them returned intact.
My experience confirms that most people are "good", and that a "crime
wave" is often just one unchecked person or group. In my minimal
experience with crime, the police responded quickly and well and a
"mugger" suffered my wrath and a major thrashing before being hauled off
to "justice".
One thing I learned at PENN in the 70's when rape on and near Campus was
a serious problem was that decent folks must stand up and "Take back the
Night".
Once again, I find myself agreeing with Al Krigman.
He states "many factors contribute to this <safety>, not the least of
which is every one of us."
This is so true and so accessible. It can be as simply as turning on a
porch light, trimming the hedges, or calling out a window and dialing 911
to prevent or stop a crime from climax. It can be as generous as
participating in a Volunteer Town Watch. It can be as civil as voting.
it can start with the proper education of the youngest children and be
understood in the abstract from the stories and traditions of our past.
Best!
Liz Campion
On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 08:21:26 EDT [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Below is an article from today's DP. But first, a comment about the
> last
> Police-Community meeting at the 18th Precinct (held every third
> Tuesday at 7:30
> pm, 55th & Pine, if you're interested in attending).
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