Don't tell me its so??!! A recent poster said that crime in Philly is "soaring." I realize that crime is increasing everywhere but I need an objective viewpoint on this question. DS is waiting to hear from Drexel, his number one choice. I wasn't worried about his safety because I lived at 41st and Baltimore for a few years in the early 80's and never felt unsafe. Sure things can happen on any campus but I would like him to weigh everything when decision time comes.
I am a little concerned that Drexel does not have a true police force, only security. Even W&M here in little Williamsburg has a true police force.

Birdie,
One needs to be cautious in a large city....I graduated from Drexel in the mid-80s. Many of my classes were at night, ending at 10 PM. I walked 4-5 blocks but was careful to use streets with lots of lights and traffic. Not only is the Drexel security present but also the Univ. of Penn has a protection service. There are generally lots of people out and about with the two universities close together, the train station nearby,etc. I hope his acceptance is in the mail!

This map (requires Flash{R}) may alleviate fear about crime within and near Drexel.

Murders in Philly have going up the last two years after ten years of going down -- they are still lower than fifteen years ago. I don't know if that means crime is "souring." Murder within Center City and the University Region are almost non-existent; simply because the city regularly patrols that area.

If you are worried about murder while in Philly, ask yourself if you plan to do either of these two activities:
1) sell crack cocaine on the streets.
2) live with someone who has anger issues and a gun.
If you don't intend to do either of these two things, then your risk from Philly drivers is greater than your risk from Philly killers.

This map (requires Flash{R}) may alleviate fear about crime within and near Drexel.

http://inquirer.philly.com/graphics/murders_map/

Murders in Philly have going up the last two years after ten years of going down -- they are still lower than fifteen years ago. I don't know if that means crime is "souring." Murder within Center City and the University Region are almost non-existent; simply because the city regularly patrols that area.

If you are worried about murder while in Philly, ask yourself if you plan to do either of these two activities:
1) sell crack cocaine on the streets.
2) live with someone who has anger issues and a gun.
If you don't intend to do either of these two things, then your risk from Philly drivers is greater than your risk from Philly killers.

Area of Drexel is pretty safe. Important thing is to make sure your DS knows about safety in cities. Having gone to school in Philly when the crime rate was higher, I did a few stupid things like take the subway alone at night (2 am) etc.

The Philly police are available to support the schools in the area, in addition to campus security.

41st and Baltimore is less safe than the area around Drexel and Penn, IMHO. Drexel is a great school, good luck!

Drexel and the adjacent U of Penn. is in a very safe area of the city.

Are you sure the recent poster wasn't talking about the Temple University area (which IS surrounded by iffy neighborhoodds)??

Anyway, there are safe and unsafe areas in all large cities including London, Paris, Rome, New York and DC and Baltimore.

University City a very safe area (and getting even nicer by the year).

Thanks everyone. If he ends up at Drexel, I will definitely give him the city survival tips. I have already taught my 16 yo DD the "don't f**k with me walk". I guess I should also teach it to my 6'1" son.

I live a few blocks west of 41st and Baltimore, and I can assure you that crime is not "soaring" here.

Our 19 year old daughter is a student at Temple, and she has had no problems... just travel in groups at night, use common sense... public transp has been great for her...
we love Philly!

luugis - I've heard that Temple is a lot nicer than it was 20 years ago. I think it's a good school, but wasn't sure if I wanted my son there. (I graduated from Temple, LOVED living in the city; thought I got a very good education, but am totally aware of the dangers).

stevefrat - would you agree with the statement that 41st and Baltimore is "never unsafe" and that Penn and Drexel are "totally safe"? I spent time over on the Drexel and Penn campuses and never felt totally safe - was always aware. (I'm not a wimp, either - I took the subway, and at night (or at 2am) in a group, but you couldn't pay me to do that now! With age has come some awareness of the stupid things we did...)

P.S. I still remember telling friends from home (Lehigh Valley) all the neat things I was able to do living in a city like Philadelphia, and no matter how cool the experience or event, they would always ask me, "But aren't you afraid of being shot?"

karens,

No, I can't think of any part of the city that is completely safe. Anyone thinking of living, working, or going to school in the city should take the standard precautions (always be aware of your surroundings, etc).

I don't know when you attended school in the area, but University City has improved significantly over the past 10 years mostly due to Penn's "re-involvement" with the community. They offer mortgage/home improvement programs to faculty and staff, and partnered with the City of Philadelphia to create the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander school (K-8) at 42nd and Spruce.

The Drexel acceptance letter came. Hooray!! He still has to make his decision but he really is leaning towards Drexel. I'm already planning road trips.
Thank you to everyone for easing this mother's mind.

CONGRATULATIONS! For me, it was like the stress of 13 years of education went away when I got my first acceptance letter. Time to celebrate before he decides where he'll go...

I am confident Mayor Street will solve the problem very soon.

Congratulations to your son, Birdie. He will be attending my alma mater if he chooses Drexel. I hope he enjoys it.

Suki - I am very excited for him. I think some of his other schools may be better choices because his major is new at Drexel but I can't deny the excitement of living in Philly. I admire him for wanting to try something so new. He lived in a small town all his life and attended a small private school since kindergarten. As I said before, I'm planning a lot of trips whether he wants to see me or not.
By the way, your Daisy is a real cutiepatootie.

That area is fine. Philly got some bad publicity because the murder rate went up quite a bit in the last year, but most of that was drug-related and not in the University City area.

And I'd be surprised if Mayor Street could solve a game of Clue.