<p>As rural midwest folks who have a freshman at USC, this was a big concern for my wife. Everything that is talked about above is consistent with our experience and my wife has become more comfortable as we spent time in the area. We walked back from the Coliseum after a game, have driven through and around the area and I think understand that common sense will keep the risk to that at any other campus. Drunk behavior at a frat party is a more probable risk than walking around campus. Having said that, your parents might worry about many things associated with you going off to college, not just a college in an urban setting and you proactively understanding and addressing the safeety question well will help them get through it if you really are madeforusc :)</p>