<p>Hi...I really want to go to UVA, but it seems that crime there is getting a lot worse. A student was shot in the stomach while sitting on his porch one afternoon, there have been muggings in the Corner district, and I've read about racial tensions at the school (I'm white, but I am very anti-racism). I spent some significant time in Charlottesville a few years ago, and it seemed like crime didn't really touch the city, but in checking out the news sites more recently, there's a lot more.</p>
<p>Is there anyone who goes to UVA who can comment? Do you feel safe there?</p>
<p>On my visit it also kind of struck me how there were a lot of rich kids who felt they were better than everyone else. Is there a lot of that? I'm not wealthy but come from an upper middle class family, and really just don't have much tolerance for excluding people for race, income, etc.</p>
<p>I know I sound down on UVA, but until recently, it was one of my top choices. I'm interesting in studying international business and foreign languages.</p>
<p>I come from a middle class family, not upper or lower, but middle. I hate racism and people with their noses in the air. It's not right. I am going to UVa and I hope I don't see that because that turns me off. I'm a quarter Hispanic (so it counts on applications) and my last name is Hispanic. I'm proud of my heritage and hope that no one will look down upon us. I haven't heard of any crime, granted I was not looking for it. I'm sure UVa will be fine and after talking with kids at Days on the Lawn they agreed that security is good and they feel comfortable at UVa. So I wouldn't worry!</p>
<p>The student that was shot last fall lives right across the street from me. It occurred at 4 in the morning -- not in the afternoon. I actually was walking home at the time it occurred, (was within eyesight of my house) and was stopped by police to see if I had heard anything. Now that I look back on it, I don't know what the hell I was thinking walking home that late. I live right on the edge of student housing where it starts to fade into a bad area. I don't always feel incredibly safe walking home late at night because of this area so I just take precautions -- like driving, having someone drop me off, or calling safe ride -- if I'm going to be headed home after 1AM. Safe Ride is a free shuttle that will pick you up within a mile(?) of the university and take you home if you need a ride. I commonly walk around other student housing areas like 17th st, JPA, etc late at night and have never felt in danger. </p>
<p>I've never felt unsafe in any area of Grounds and have been known to go wandering around grounds at 3am just cause we're bored. Crime occurs at any school and I feel that UVa does a lot to deter it from happening. Charlottesville police and UVa police work really hard to prevent any incidents and I think we probably have less crime than an average school our size. Whenever an incident does occur, Pat Lampkin sends out notices to the whole student body alerting them so that everyone can be kept informed. </p>
<p>So, I wouldn't worry about crime being an issue at UVa. Sure, there have been some incidents, but overall the school is incredibly safe.</p>
<p>I agree with k_jo that the grounds and the immediately surrounding areas do feel safe. If you venture off to funkytown and try to mix in with the natives at 4AM, you might find yourself in trouble, but otherwise it's easy to stay safe.</p>