<p>To everyone who is worried about specific areas north of USC being worse than another specific area:
There are no better or worse blocks, since much of the property is rental and a lot depends on the tenants! If folks renting a house have a relative/aquaintance who has a relation to a gang (or druggie) then the liklihood of criminal activity will be higher on THAT block. If the renters on a given block happen to be only low-income/hard-working families and students, the likelihood of criminal activity will be lower.
My daughter lives in a multi-unit apt house on Menlo and the police take-down last night took place next door. This is the FIRST serious incident we have had there in 2 years. But the student stabbing last year took place across the street from campus. There is NO safe area outside the campus. And I would make the case that the armed robberies on campus over one of the last breaks means that campus itself is not entirely safe.
Developing street smarts and fine-tuning common-sense skills is the best defense. Also taking off the ding-dang iPod once they leave campus is REALLY important!!!
-Stay aware of your surroundings!
-Don’t get involved in long phone calls as you ride a bike to/from campus.
-Use the Tram and the Escort service
Do we worry about our two-kids safety? Yes, of course!
But this is part of the decision to attend an urban college/university! Our local university in a fairly big city also has a violent crime problem. THEY ALL DO.
Having said that, USC’s DPS needs to improve their alert process: ONE HOUR IS TOO LONG FOLKS!!! I would rather you NOT have all the facts and send it out within 10-15 minutes than not have my student until so late!</p>