Christina |
Mar 6th, 2002 07:05 AM |
Generally, it's safe to take the metro anywhere at any time -- in the metro. However, New Carrollton is indeed one of the stations with the highest crime rates and it is not the greatest area (I had friend who lived in a lower-income apt complex there so I've been around there visiting her and when we went out, and it is just not the nicest area and does have higher crime rates than many other parts of the metro region). They had an article recently in the Post on stations and crime rates and it was one of the highest noticeably. Most crime at stations involves car thefts and muggings outside the metro, of course, or walking to your car or on the streets nearby. So, I wouldn't advise you not to take that metro at all if you need to, but I would be alert and not be thrilled about walking alone distances from that station or at night around there. You didn't say the time of day you were doing this, which would affect my comfort level and where your friends are going to meet you, day time is always better, of course. <BR><BR>In any case, here is a link with the Post article on metro crime by station, so decide for yourself<BR>http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=metro/specials/metrorail&contentId=A42743-2002Jan26¬Found=true<BR><BR>You can click on the links by line color and get exact breakdowns by station on crime by type. Here is the chart for the orange line<BR>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/daily/graphics/metrocrime012702.htm<BR><BR>So, New Carrollton is one of the highest overall, but it is reassuring to see most of that is auto theft and destruction of property and larceny, NOT assault which is actually higher at some center city stations such as Metro Center or L'Enfant Plaza (of course, they have much more traffic volume so the incidence may be higher). I think that's reassuring that there are only about 4 assaults a year at that station, but I'd watch my car.
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