<p>Right...forgot about the flex cars.</p>
<p>I've been thinking for a while how I wanted to respond to this thread ... and then I realized that any response from me will matter very little. Why?</p>
<p>Well, first questions about safety and security are better answered by current students who live on-campus or in the area. I live about 15 minutes away from campus and have never lived in the specific campus area. I have found the campus area very safe and actually have never felt unsafe throughout Baltimore. However, I am a big guy with a lot of common sense. When I do walk at night either I am with a group of friends or with my dog. In the end it is the students who should be sharing their opinions ... and they have been doing such on this thread and also on this thread from the JHU Forums: <a href="http://z14.invisionfree.com/Hopkins_Forums/index.php?showtopic=208%5B/url%5D">http://z14.invisionfree.com/Hopkins_Forums/index.php?showtopic=208</a>. </p>
<p>Second, you can hear from others so much ... in the end each individual needs to make up their own mind. That is why you need to VISIT. Visit Hopkins, walk around the campus, walk around the neighborhood ... make your own conclusions. And don't just do this about Hopkins and Baltimore ... you need to do this about every school you consider. I actually visited a number of schools not in cities that I didn't feel safe at ... it is very much an individual decision.</p>
<p>OK just three other comments...</p>
<p>As far as heightened crime in Charles Village ... I have not noticed it or heard of it. The crime rate is less than when I first arrived at Hopkins nearly five years ago and I think that has a lot to do with the increase security measures from the JHU Safety Office. Safety and security has been the past few years one of the most important issues at Homewood, and I personally feel that the Director of Security is doing a stand-up job -- he is a former head of the Maryland Secret Service. That is not to say that things are perfect or will ever be ... I still know a few students who have had their cars broken into, been mugged, and one who was assaulted a while back. Simply put, it is better than it was, it is improving, but there is still improvement needed.</p>
<p>As far as what tour guides and other students who volunteer for admissions say about safety and security ... there is no script. They can say whatever they want. Many, many, many students feel safe at Hopkins and they express that attitude. When they do express a negative impression of the security in Baltimore they do so honestly and by presenting all sides. No one can say that Hopkins is not doing enough for the security of its students -- they can not control that the campus is in a city and things happen. </p>
<p>Finally, littlemage897 ... sorry to hear about your personal incident and I hope you are on the road to recovery. Glad to hear that you still love JHU.</p>
<p>You are so right about the wonderful security at Hopkins,Admissions Daniel. From a parent's point of view, it is very impressive. Of course, a big city is a big city, and as such, the kids must always try to remember to take care. Today, here in New York, NYU is in the news. A lovely young girl was apparently murdered in NYU housing. So sad. And so scary for all families who send their children off to college with a hug and a prayer, and constant admonissions to watch their surroundings. For most parents, not a day goes by without concern for our kids safety and well-being.
That being said, I do appreciate the respect that Hopkins has shown the students and their parents, by doing its utmost to secure the campus and its surroundings. Over the past 2 years, it has become abundantly clear to me that Hopkins cares about its students and families to a degree that is not commonly seen at other top universities/colleges. Any and all input regarding any topic, is taken seriously, and this is evidenced by the effort Hopkins puts into its security, as well as across the board. Believe me, if I thought otherwise, my voice would be the loudest amongst the crowd of complainers. My hope is that JHU will keep up the excellent work in its many impressive arenas, and continue to keep the kids safety an uppermost priority. I would personally urge any parent or potential student to call Hopkins with any question, concern, or worry. They will be responded to thoroughly, and with the utmost of respect. A call is always returned, a question always answered. So far, kudos to Hopkins and its wonderful staff, faculty, and administration.</p>
<p>Popping in to note that the NYU case really had little to do with NYU at all, except for being near campus. The daughter of two NYU professors was living with roommates in her mother's condo apartment while the mother was out of the country, and she was apparently murdered by her boyfriend. It is the kind of thing that, unfortunately, could happen anywhere -- big city, one-horse town, rural arcadia. No amount of security or watchfulness can protect a young woman from a psycho boyfriend if she's not willing to break up with him.</p>
<p>JHS: Unfortunately, according to NY1 News, the tragedy did take place in NYU housing. Regardless, I agree with what you say about the potential for these horrible events to happen anywhere. But all schools need to be held accountable for the best security possible for their students. Too many of them are lax in this area. Hopkins, however, does make a major effort. JHU takes its students' security very seriously.</p>
<p>I just thought I would add something ... When I heard about this NYU case it reminded me back to three years ago when a Hopkins student was murdered in an off-campus apartment building by someone she knew. It was a horrific and tragic incident that shocked the school and many of our students mourned the loss of such an amazing student. </p>
<p>Why does that relate to this thread? Well, in a 3 or 4 week period around the death of this JHU student, I read local/national news stories about deaths of undergraduate students at seven other schools. Of the schools:</p>
<ul>
<li>1 was an accidental death at a private school in a city larger than Baltimore</li>
<li>1 was a suicide at a very prestigious private school in a small town</li>
<li>1 was a murder by another student a small liberal arts school in a rural area</li>
<li>1 was a murder of a student at a frat party by a stray bullet - large public university in a large town
.....I could go on.</li>
</ul>
<p>The point is horrible incidents happen. It does not mean the college is to blame, the city is to blame, etc. Don't make a broad generalization of safety and security of any college or city based on individual stories.</p>