<p>I am in the process of trying to compile a college list for next year. In my research, I came across the following observation in a college guidebook about Johns Hopkins: the campus is safe as long as you are aware of your surroundings."</p>
<p>Is this a fair and accurate statement? If so, what sensible precautions do students typically take when they walk around the campus or in the area near the campus? I'd really appreciate any candid comments current students might have about this subject. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I thought the campus wasn’t safe at all until I visited. It surpassed my expectations completely. It had these post with buttons and you press the button when you feel like you’re in a dangerous situation and a security guard is there to help in few seconds. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! </p>
<p>It’s good to know that the security posts are there, if needed. My concern is why the security posts are needed. I’m also curious as to how the question of security impacts the daily lives of students on campus. </p>
<p>Any input on these questions would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>They are more of a deterrent than anything else. (Virutally) Every school has the “blue light” system. Hopkins also has security guards stationed around campus day and night and security patrols, along with security cameras and motion sensor equipment. </p>
<p>All (virtually all) of crime happens off campus in the neighborhoods around Hopkins (especially to the East and South of campus). Unfortunately, Hopkins security cannot be everywhere at every moment, and incidents do happen. Theft is a problem, but that is true at every school. As long as you don’t leave items unattended, you will be fine.</p>
<p>There was a problem in the FFC earlier in the semester with an individual(s) stealing backpacks that (usually) contained laptops, but that has been fixed with 3 new cameras and the ability to bring our bags into the cafeteria. </p>
<p>Security really has no impact on your daily life whatsoever. You can go where you want and do what you want. Hopkins has an open campus unlike some other schools in urban environments, which makes security a transparent affair (its there when you need it, but doesn’t really impact your life at all). You also go on a security walk in the beginning of freshman year to acquaint yourself with the neighborhoods around campus. </p>
<p>If you stay on campus and are smart about where you go off campus then you will be fine. I feel perfectly safe here.</p>
<p>Edit- Here’s a crime map: <a href=“http://ucrime.com/md/johns+hopkins+university[/url]”>http://ucrime.com/md/johns+hopkins+university</a></p>
<p>As you can see, all crime on campus is related to theft of things like wallets and laptops that is an issue at every school. Almost all of these thefts were from people leaving their stuff unattended. Of campus there have been a few issues in the past (the biggest problem is burglary from student off-campus housing), but again if you are smart about it then it shouldn’t be an issue.</p>