Gangsters at JHU

JHU_michelle
Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:15:23 +0000

I think the general message is - it’s a city: don’t be stupid.

Obviously there are areas of Baltimore that aren’t the nicest: that’s why we’re home to The Wire and whatever other shows (Homicide: Life on the Street?) that are supposedly based on the city. But realistically, Baltimore is truly “a city of neighborhoods.” Once you figure out which ones are good and which aren’t, you’re really pretty okay.

Plus, as has been said, Hopkins security patrols within a 1+ mile radius of campus…that’s pretty much anywhere you’d need to go to see friends who live off campus, or any retail establishments in the area. The beginning of every year spurs the security office to plot the addresses of EVERY undergraduate and graduate student on a big map - and then they plan their patrols to cover everyone.

Honestly, I’ve maybe felt unsafe twice in my 4 years here. Both of them were when I was stupidly walking alone late at night down by 27th Street & Charles (most students live between 30th and 34th Streets). In general, common sense is paramount.

But even when you ARE being stupid or brazen, there’s only a minor chance anything will happen to you. Many a time, I’ve walked near Waverly/Greenmount…which is an area to the east of campus that is notoriously “dangerous.” But honestly, when it’s light out/there are people around - it’s a very vibrant area, and people are really nice. You really don’t have to be afraid of Baltimore.