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Moving to a city. Safety Tips?
Mim
dead.Registered User regular
dead.Registered User regular
This coming Saturday I am moving to Philadelphia. My dad is moving with me as he got a job there and I got accepted into Temple. I have extended family there, and I am constantly told of the rising crime rates and seeing it on the news does not help.
So I would like tips on how to keep safe in the city, actual tips from people in the Philadelphia area would be of great help, but I realize all cities go through this, so I made it more broad.
I'm 5'9, 124 lbs (i.e. I'm quite skinny) and a girl. Beyond taking self defense classes (which will not stop me from getting a cap popped into my ass) what can I do to maintain my safety? I have classes downtown that end at 9 PM but I'll get getting picked up so thats not a major worry. But I would like to walk around the town and explore.
So any tips would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
So I would like tips on how to keep safe in the city, actual tips from people in the Philadelphia area would be of great help, but I realize all cities go through this, so I made it more broad.
I'm 5'9, 124 lbs (i.e. I'm quite skinny) and a girl. Beyond taking self defense classes (which will not stop me from getting a cap popped into my ass) what can I do to maintain my safety? I have classes downtown that end at 9 PM but I'll get getting picked up so thats not a major worry. But I would like to walk around the town and explore.
So any tips would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
This fear stemmed from my cousins' friend being shot downtown in the subway, granted he was selling drugs at the time. Also the recent news that some guy shot ten people over something someone said during a boxing match. Lets also not forget the news story of the guy who got shot for taking a parking spot. And the supposed 400% increase in crime. 
The horror.
The horror.BlueSky: thequeenofchaos Steam: mimspanks (add me then tell me who you are! Ask for my IG)
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Walk home with a friend if you must walk, take a taxi if you can. Especially if you are drinking, save 20 bucks and budget that into your night.
Don't walk down unlit streets, stay to the lit areas, even if it means a 10 minute detour.
Don't get involved with criminals. If you're going to get involved with that element, like buying drugs, you're going to move in dangerous circles. For the most part, criminals don't have the inclination to shoot you. Just give them the bag/purse/necklace if you're mugged. If I was a criminal, I'd want to save the big shit, like shootings, to people who deserve the risk.
Listen to the police when they give a presentation at Temple. I presume you will get one of these as a Freshman early on. They will know the hot-spots and what to do and don't do. Again, lots of dumb people don't take their advice, particularly when drunk. Don't be one of those people.
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The city is a wonderful, vibrant place. It's not something to be scared of. The examples you give are random events that could just plain happen to anyone. It's sad but true. I am sure you will enjoy your time at college.
See, people keep saying "Don't do stupid shit." and while I realize getting involved in drugs is the stupidest, what other stupid things could someone do?
I'm not exactly certain about the areas, I mean I know there is North, Northeast, South, West, Southeast. I think I'll be living in the Northeast section, but I want tips for them all as I want to experience the entire city, just..you know..I don't want to die trying.
Wow. That's bad, right? That's a murder a day almost!
But...344/1,517,550 (the population) is .000227. That means there's a two percent of a percent or two tenthousandths' chance any given Philadelphian will be murdered in a year. If you lived there for a century, you would have a two percent chance of being murdered.
Now factor in selective behavior - staying out of the drug game, staying in a group late at night or in clubs and bars, jogging, etc. . . and that number goes down.
If you take a self defense class, look for one that focuses on awareness of your surroundings, not martial arts. While fighting is often better then doing nothing, a short martial arts class (ie less then six months or even a year) is not going to teach enough to let you fight off a serious attacker (although it might be of considerably more use against say, a pushy frat boy).
Keep in mind that neighborhoods change after dark - particularly central, commercial areas and entertainment districts - they get drunker, and emptier.
Keep your personal space when you can - if someone asks you for change, or the time, etc, step back casually before you give it to them.
If you really want to scare off the majority of the criminal element, and you like dogs, and can have one, get a big spooky dog. Girls walking or jogging with their rottweilers are a very low percentage victim.
Don't worry so much about sterotypes - ie "Oh those guys look like Irish trash, those guys look like gang members I've seen on TV" - worry instead about people under the influence of drugs, who are far sketchier then people with any one 'look'
If you take the subway or mass transit, get a messenger back or backpack so you don't walk around with both hands full.
The fact is, if cities, on the whole, were hugely dangerous...they'd be empty, so don't stress about it too much. Take reasonable precautions, but don't get super paranoid.
I host a podcast about movies.
I host a podcast about movies.
Well, if you will be living in the Northeast, I can reassure you in that you're in (probably) the safest part of the city.
You're on the main campus, I assume, circa Broad and Cecil B. Moore. Temple is in an 'okay' neighborhood. I say this as a 6'2" male, granted, but I have spent a decent amount of time in that area. If you're being picked up at night, you're fine- the area doesn't grow truly shady until after dark. What's your ethnicity? Not to worry you, but there's some palpable racial tension in the surrounding neighborhood at night... but again, you should be fine- it's not exactly 'raging'. Also, there is a subway stop (Orange line) on the edge of the campus, so you're well protected with a nice overlap of security between Temple and SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) guards. About those subways.
There are two major subway lines in Philadelphia. The first is called the Orange line and runs north-south on Broad street from (just about) the Delaware River in the south to North Philly in the north. The second is called the Blue line and runs diagonally southwest from Torresdale in the Northeast to Market, then cuts directly west into the heart of West (and Southwest) Philadelphia. Additionally, there is a Green line (trolley), and this leads to Southwest Philly.
The city is not an oasis- I'm not gonna' lie. It can be rather dangerous. There were over 400 homicides last year. However, it is not a warzone. If you act competently, you're not going to feel as though you're in mortal danger at every turn. Generally, Southwest and North Philly are rotten areas. That boxing shooting to which you make reference actually occurred in South Philly. You should be safe- as with most cities- on major avenues. There are plenty of 'major' areas with allure.
Along Market street you can explore many, many things: the Liberty Bell, the Independence Center, City Hall, the Mint, the Trocadero (concert venue), several theaters, Academy of Music, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia Art Museum- etc. There are numerous things only several blocks from Market street, including the famous 'South' street area(a 10 block section of crazy... almost any type of good you could buy or person you could meet can be found here), a plethora of good bars and restaurants on Chestnut and Walnut street, etc.
All of that only begins to scratch the surface of one area- a 25 block stretch, with a few blocks on either side. I couldn't begin to describe all the city has to offer. If you have specifics in mind, I'd be glad to add to this.
For self defense- there are many places you can go to feel more comfortable about your chances for personal safety. I could recommend several, including my own Krav Maga institute.
Overall: I'm sorry about how disjointed that all is lol... I'm just pouring out tons of things from the top of my head.
Oh yeah- don't sit in the very back car on the subway, cross the street when you come to a 'hangout corner' (because of its tendency to have row houses w/ a small store on the end of the block, Philly corners are typical for people 'camping out'), and... ask for more, I guess.
My mind's mush. :<
I don't live on the main campus, but I do go to school there. I got screwed out of housing. I live near Sydenham street is, which I assumed was in Northeast. Center City and South Street happen to be my favorite areas (there is a comic shop on South Street and I visit every time I come to Philly for a visit.)
Yeah, you said you didn't live on the campus. Sydenham (IIRC correctly, and I may not, since I live in South Philadelphia) begins at Susq. Ave., two blocks north of the main campus, and goes northward for quite a while... so you could be anywhere from a few blocks from the school to miles away.
The comic shop that you're (likely) thinking of is Atomic City Comics at 6th and South. I've been there a few times- I like it, too.
Is there anything else that I can help you with?
Don’t walk around alone after dark. This is the most important rule of safety in any city.
Don’t go into alleys at all after dark. Try avoiding them in the daytime.
If you go out drinking, leave long before last call so you don’t end up in the mix of violent drunks getting tossed out of bars at 3:00 am. If you’re drunk, take a cab home.
Don’t be afraid to cross the street because you see people who look like they’re up to trouble walking your way.
If someone threatens you and demands your wallet, give it over and run like hell.
Don’t wear those stupid white iPod headphones ANYWHERE in public.
Don’t use an ATM after dark unless it’s inside of a well-lit, open business.
If you scream “HELP!,†people run away. If you scream “FIRE!,†people come and look.
Don’t walk around with your laptop in a really nice bag. In fact, don’t carry any kind of bag that suggests you have much money, or that your bag has anything of value in it.
And of course, the rule nobody likes to think about but everyone talks about in private: It’s better to be a live bigot than handsome young corpse.
On the one hand, don't live in fear. On the other, don't take any stupid risks. Urban violence tends to be concentrated geographically; find out where those areas are and stay away from them. You'll be fine.
whatever your racial inclinations, remember that people usually get attacked by their own race
It's kind of funny, and maybe exaggerated, but I heard in the states in some areas people cross the street when they see black people. Up here in Canada we tend to cross the street toward black people and away from drunk whites and natives.
Not sure why, but most of the black people I know or see around the city are always sober and even their teenagers never seem to form gangs. Probably because most of the poor here are white and native.
I made a TD for iphone and windows phone!
aw hell you know what I mean.
I made a TD for iphone and windows phone!
Yeah, it usually whitey who's intimidating and ready to be a fuck head.
Can you be racist to your own colour? I guess so.
Man, I hate whitey. I'm a self-loathing whitey.
I made a TD for iphone and windows phone!
Don't worry too much. These are horror stories you've heard about, if you heard about every time someone did not get shot or stabbed or raped or carjacked, you would not be terribly worried.
Only because people tend to socialize with and live in areas populated mainly by others of their own race. Most attacks are caused by some sort of dispute or something between people who know each other.
When I was near Wrigley Field (Cubs) in Chicago, I couldn't belive how many girls were out jogging by themselves, usually with headphones on at night. Yes, it sucks that you can't do that, but unfortunatly crime is part of most of our lives, so you need to make sure it's not you.
On busess or trains, same thing; just be alert, don't have to be panicy and spray any guy/girl who looks at you with Mace, but just be aware of what's going on.
As far as bums/pan-handlers go, I don't stop, but I usually will say, "no thanks", or "sorry" or whatever. Not going to engage them, but still a person, so think they deserve a response.
If you take drugs out of the equation, the likelihood of getting into trouble drops dramatically. I'm in Baltimore, and practically all of the crime in the city is drug related. What it means here is that if you're not looking for drugs, or competing for selling drugs, and you're not walking around in a neighborhood where a lot of people are selling drugs, you're probably safe.
Also, if you're a bumpkin, don't stare at people. If you're from an area where you've never seen a black person, don't stare whenever you see somebody who's black. Same if you see a "thugly" -- white guys who try to act like thugs but generally do a poor job. If anyone has a tendency to be a criminal, the tipping point is going to be finding an easy target.
After all, if you're staring, that means you're moderately bewildered and curious, and potentially afraid. And it kind of pisses people off to be stared at. If they have even an inkling to mug someone, they're going to mug the person who looks like they're scared. Hell, I've known people who have been pretend-mugged just because they've stared at people (the "mugger" faked them out or walked by them and turned around asking for money or generally "played the part" without actually doing anything). And also, I would suggest not dressing in short skirts or skimpy tops if you plan to walk around a lot in the after-dinner hours, simply because people might believe you're a prostitute and when you ignore someone being rude, they're more likely to assume that you're rejecting them and act out (badly), rather than simply think you're just another person on the street.
For the first month or so, just get a general feel of the neighborhoods around you. Are there people walking around who look like they're just going somewhere? Are there a lot of young males sitting on doorsteps not doing anything? Is traffic pretty regular on your streets, or does it quiet down and it seems like everyone's asleep around 10ish? After you've lived somewhere a while, you can get a much better vibe from how things are, and whether you'll be comfortable walking by yourself or if you'd rather ride your bike. You'll also find out from other students or coworkers where any bad parts are, but also where good parts are with good restaurants and an active nightlife.
Finally, don't date a guy who seems to be sketchy. Most rapes are from friends and family, and most abuse/murder targeting women is from domestic disputes and again, friends/family.
Random crime is a very small portion of crime in general.
But in general, I would suggest that you dont walk around town after dark, alone. Besides that? Its not such a different place than any other. We just have a lot of shootings on the news.
SEPTA trains are usually pretty safe, as there are always attendants there or other passangers.
If you ever go to market-east station, you will be accosted by beggars. They are mostly harmless, and I would ignore them as most of them are "professionals" that make 40k a year ( I remember being surprised seeing a beggar buying an x-box, first week I moved there).
If you hear gunfire, duck
But as it was mentioned before, its a big city with a wide variety of neighborhoods. Im sure you will be fine.
Personal anecdote: while I was going to school I was living in a pretty sketchy part of Toronto (Rexdale) and in my area the following things happened:
-3 home invasions
-2 drive by shootings
-body found in a dumpster 3 mins from my place
-regular robberies
Aside from being asked for money by the random crackhead, I didn't come into trouble once.
It turns out all the home invasions happened to "party houses" that frequently had huge amounts of essentially random people over. The body in a dumpster was from a domestic dispute between some sketchy people. The robberies almost always happened from people wandering around alone late at night.
Moral of the story: a little common sense goes a long way.
If someone on the street asks you for money, if you have to open your purse or take out your wallet to give it to them, just don't do it. Just tell them you don't have anything for them or lie. Most of them will just take what you give, but others are just waiting for you to make it easier to grab what they want.
Also, there's a certain body language that you can use that can help keep you safe and unnoticed. Always walk briskly and as though you know exactly where you're going when you're alone. As others have said, don't stare. There are other elements to it too that I can't describe very well, but you get the idea - you want to blend in to your surroundings and also look determined.
I also recommend if you do have to walk alone at night, that you keep pepper spray or mace with you and at the very least have a police whistle on your key chain. When I have to walk in an area that I feel somewhat unsafe in, I try to have my cell phone ready to call for help and my keys in my hands. I can either blow the whistle if I think it will help or use the keys to seriously hurt any attacker. Just make sure to trust your instincts. If a place feels unsafe and you don't have to be there, leave.
Except that IS racist and it's terrible advice. Skin colour is by far the least accurate way you could possibly gauge the threat level of a stranger on the street. Demeanor and circumstances are infinitely more valuable and relevant to any situation. Crossing the street to avoid a black guy carrying a grocery bag and winding up with a white guy carrying a knife in your face sure is good math isn't it.
Any posts encouraging racism will be met with very direct consequences. It's bullshit, and it's not good advice.
Avoid confrontations on the street when you're alone period. When people ask you for change, acknowledge them by saying no and shaking your head. When people ask you for the time, lie and keep walking. When you're out at night, be with a group of people.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
I'm talking about stranger assaults as well
Keeping distance is a great deal more important than looking tough, especially when the other party knows it doesn't matter how tough you are because no one puts up much of a fight after they have three inches of steel rammed into their belly. Being on the other side of the street also gives you a headstart if they do give chase, and a significantly improved set of odds to get away safely than being three feet away when you have to start running.
Trying to out tough-guy someone who's already mentally committed to perpetrating a violent crime such as a mugging, a random assault or a rape is probably the worst advice you could ever give.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
To answer someone's question above, I'm Black/Puerto Rican/ Native American.
I'll be living with my grandparents for awhile, and then my dad and I will get our own place. Where, I'm not sure.
But thanks for the tips so far