<p>I’m saying that generalized statistics can paint any picture you want them to. Further, those that rely on bald faced statistics without understanding the factual context and nuances end up very misinformed. I also question the motivation of answering the OP’s inquiry by citing generalized news articles and “statistics” to paint a skewed picture that has no nexus to the reality of student life in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>Does Philadelphia have areas where crime is a real problem, sure - and it’s mostly drug and poverty related in sections of the city (actually county) where students do not frequent but which serves to drive the “statistics” up. Do the statistics reflect the reality of student life in center city Philadelphia, - nope. I’ll repeat what I said before: there are 10’s of thousands of students going to college and living in center city Philadelphia and enjoying the rich cultural and social life the city has to offer. Only a small minority of those students have any encounters with crime and with the exercise of good common sense the risk of a student being the victim of a crime is deminimus. I think the experience that I have as someone whose office has been a block and a half from UArts for 30 years, who knows dozens of friends, acquaintances, and business colleagues with students at Philadelphia colleges, who regularly frequents the restaurants and cultural attractions of center city Philadelphia and who has regular contact with students on a weekly basis can offer a more informed perspective than just the mere citing of “statistics”.</p>