MomofWildChild

Are you sure this wasn't my son?

swatparent

You would then have to be about 80 years old, because these men were in their 50s and 60s and clearly had no connection to the university. If that is the case with you and your son, then it could have been him, especially if he had not shaved or showered in several days, and was about 250 pounds at the time. Those were the men who commented to the tour.

MomofWildChild

^^ Whew. Not him! I support my kid's college choice, but he has been a crime victim (theft from a room in a house just off campus) at Penn. I don't care how careful you are or what streets you stick to, there is still a lot of crime around the Penn campus.

sueinphilly

I agree about walking around Roosevelt mall area at night not being the same as Center City. This is "middle town USA" as far as city life goes and it sucks to be afraid to walk around in your neighborhood at really any time of day or night because of some random act of violence that might occur.

alwaysamom

Michael, you're absolutely right. There are definitely societal and cultural differences between the two countries. Having lived in both, though, I think that Toronto is as close as you can probably get to a U.S. city in many ways. What I see happening here in recent years is disheartening in that the type of violence which many have become inured to in the U.S. is on the increase here. I don't want my city to end up like a U.S. city in that respect. I don't want these kids to feel that they don't have other choices in how they live their lives. I'd enjoy hearing about how the new administration in Philly has at least made a start towards lowering crime . Is it a focus on increased policing or are there grassroot projects being undertaken to get to the root of these issues?

As I said, here, there are many who are involved in attempts to address these problems. One community project we are involved in is a bursary program which was established by the police division in the part of the city which is known for the worst crime. It started out eight years ago and has made a difference in the lives of an increasing number of students each year. The police officers raise awareness and money for the fund, and donations have increased to the extent that at this year's presentation ceremony, 22 graduating high school seniors will receive a bursary to assist them with their college costs. I think the first year I was involved, five bursaries were distributed, so we are thrilled, and so very thankful to the police who are involved, to be able to help 22 very deserving kids this year. These kids have experienced things in their short lives that you wouldn't wish on ANYone and have worked so very hard to overcome their challenges, their living situations, crime, temptations, etc. to be able to graduate high school, and be accepted to a college or university, in the hopes of changing their life's path.

There are certainly other groups and organizations which also address similar needs in the city. Various levels of government fund projects every summer to provide summer jobs to underprivileged youth. The schools in certain areas of the city are kept open throughout the summer months to provide free community use and summer programs. The United Way usually donates approximately $1million for these programs. There are skills, mentoring, and tutoring programs in the high-risk communities. My H is a cabinet member of the city's United Way board and each year over $100 million dollars is raised, some of which is directed to agencies which serve these communities in an attempt to prevent kids from heading down the wrong path.

It's true that Canada probably has better social programs in place, obviously at an increased cost to its residents, and this is naturally going to be an issue when discussions like this come up in comparing the two countries. As when universal healthcare is discussed, the issue of Americans being willing to pay increased taxes in order to provide adequate social programs has to be explored. I think that there is definitely a societal, and perhaps cultural, difference there. As with the healthcare issue, there is no easy solution. I guess the thing that pains me, though, is that it appears that little is even being attempted, and that is very sad.

swatparent

"As when universal healthcare is discussed, the issue of Americans being willing to pay increased taxes in order to provide adequate social programs has to be explored. I think that there is definitely a societal, and perhaps cultural, difference there. As with the healthcare issue, there is no easy solution. I guess the thing that pains me, though, is that it appears that little is even being attempted, and that is very sad."

We are already paying outrageous amounts of tax to support social programs. We can't do anything more in the middle class.

alwaysamom

That may be so. Your comment kind of proves my point.

swatparent

If the private sector wants to take over, such as United Way, then that is a good idea. But until people in these areas want to change, then it won't happen. And the drug trade has to be controlled.This also has to come from within. Or else people will just have to be accept that there is a permanent underclass that wants to perpetuate itself for generations, give these people our money and look the other way.

ClassicRockerDad

Wow, Sueinphilly. When we lived in Philadelphia, we lived a few blocks north of the Roosevelt Mall in Rhawnhurst. I thought it was a great neighborhood then (1990-1994). Many of my neighbors were well armed cops and people would have been foolish to pull that kind of stuff in that neighborhood. I'm sorry, it's gone downhill, I really liked living around there.

MichaelNKat

Alwaysamom: Even though it's been only a few short months, there are noticeable changes already. A lot of it involves redeployment of police resources both in terms of the structure of units and targeting identified areas. Special units are being trained to address policing issues involving particular identified groups that have a history of being disenfranchised and ti make sure that community policing is really tailored to the community in which it is occurring. In addition, funds that have been cut from social support organizations are being returned and new department heads are being appointed. It will be interesting to see where this all goes after a year but even as of now there has been a 20% drop in the murder rate as compared to last year.

As to universal health care, it can and will happen when our government decides that it is a priority whose time has come. We have the resources to do it if our government has the will to end or limit our involvement in Iraq and to clamp down on the rampant corruption that exists in areas of private industry's involvement in our war machine. The cost of the war in Iraq could fund universal health care, address the costs of college education and pay for a myriad of other social issues.

Jolynne Smyth

Threekids--that's a good idea --- having your child's college security number available. Although, with a son, it seems likely a guy would call home if he felt 'nervous' walking at night. Good thought for girls, though!

Has anyone thought of encouraging their son/daughter to take a self-defense course? My son used to take tang soo do, in which they taught some self-defense, but it's been years and I think a strong, street-fighting + awareness course would be helpful before college. I'm going to check into that in the area (we're near Philly, too).

MichaelNKat

Having spent many years involved in martial arts, including full contact fighting, I would be very cautious about seeking a class to teach "street fighting". The reality is that most students don't have the mindset, strength and technique to deal with an attacker on his on terms, especially when weapons are involved, and a short self defense class is not going to suddenly turn a student into a "street fighter". (Kind of reminds me of an incident several years ago when a bunch of big, tough Harvard football players went into what was then Boston's adult entertainment district, called the "Combat Zone". One of them got into an argument with a pimp, and despite the student's size and strength he ended up stabbed to death.)

A good self defense course will focus on awareness and common sense rules so as to avoid a situation, how to recognize a situation is developing and take evasive action and, as a last resort, when and how to create an opportunity to escape and run if all else fails (which must be practiced over and over under conditions that simulate the emotional turmoil and physicality of the real thing).

I have stressed with my daughter rules of awareness and common sense avoidance. I have also stressed the importance when walking at night of defining a zone of space around her into which strangers are not permitted to intrude and what actions she can and should take to maintain that space.

In this regard, you can get at marine supply houses miniature air horns that boaters use as a back up which conveniently can fit into a coat pocket or handbag. They emit multiple earsplitting blasts which at close range will greatly startle a person who persists in crossing the boundary of "personal space" and will certainly attract the attention of others nearby. Can be used to create an opportunity for evasive action and to dissuade would be muggers who usually don't want attention brought to themselves. Mace can also be a tool of last resort if it becomes clear that physical intervention is necessary to create an opportunity to escape. Both of these items are good because they can be deployed before a situation has evolved to the point that "personal space" has been compromised and a student finds him or her self in a very unequal close contact situation.

Jolynne Smyth

Interesting point, MichaelNKat. I guess I was thinking of something along the lines of more defensive martial arts (vs. the complicated 'forms' that are sometimes taught in karate class). For e.g., how to get out of a choke hold, etc.

Great tip about the horn. I think I'll get one for myself. Somehow, though, can't see son at age 19 taking that around when he goes out socializing. Would be great to get reinforcement of evasive actions, awareness of environment, etc.

Actually, when I pointed out to son some threads on CC about college students who have died accidently or when drunk or (possibly) via mal intent--he was interested (& hopefully it upped his receptivity to a safety course).

Thanks for the info.

MichaelNKat

Jolynne, even "defensive martial arts" - like how to get out of a choke hold - need to be approached with a recognition that it takes a substantial commitment of time and practice to master techniques so that you can apply them in a real life situation. These are things that must be practiced regularly even after a class is over. Remember, you are seeking not only to learn technique but to also re-pattern reactions to sudden and intense physical and emotional stress at levels which are incapacitating. And it is important that a class not simply simulate a situation but that it actually put the students in a situation where they experience what it is like to be attacked. Few students are going to have the time and inclination to commit themselves to that. That's why what I think should be focused on is avoidance, evasion and escape, in that order. The last thing that I would want is for my daughter to have a false sense of her physical prowess, thereby creating a false sense of security that causes her to de-emphasize the primacy that should attach to avoidance and evasion.

Jolynne Smyth

Interesting, MichaelNKat; especially re: the not getting a 'false sense of physical prowess.' While I can see emphasizing "avoidance, evasion and escape," absolutely, I still think it couldn't hurt to have a few physical tricks up your sleeve (even, as a guy, when horsing around w/other guys to feel like you are not at a disadvantage, esp. when other guys are bigger).

Useful points to keep in mind!