<p>There is absolutely something wrong with Oakland when the city has one of the highest violent crime per 10000 persons. When people riot for the hell of it, i.e. Oscar Grant shooting, Raiders’ Superbowl loss. When the former City Administrator tried to tip-off her nephew on an impending police raid on a notorious gang. When the city have an inept city council and mayor that does nothing significant to combat crime. When the city is often ranked in the top 10 for the most dangerous cities in the nation; latest I think they were ranked was fourth in 2008.</p>
<p>Oakland has some pretty high crime statistics. That is just a fact. Oakland also has some very high end areas that are safe and beautiful. The OP hopefully feels better about his/her BART trip to Berkeley and will visit the school safely. If the visitor feels extremely uncomfortable instead of invigorated after the visit, then perhaps another more suburban college would be a better fit. Berkeley (and Oakland) is not a good fit for everyone. My kids both like(d) it, but there are a few of their friends who would never consider living in an urban area like Berkeley. Good for them. There is no shortage of people clamoring to live in Berkeley, travel through Oakland on BART, and attend the top public university IN THE WORLD. Personally, I make it a point to eat at a Mexican restaurant in one of the worst parts of Oakland as frequently as possible. No problems with my personal safety or with my personal belongings. To each his own. Hope the OP posts an update re: the BART ride and impressions of Cal.</p>
<p>yeah i know, i’m sorry
i kno bad stuff has happened there, but bad stuff happens everywhere
i just feel that people need to be more open minded about it, we are going into berkeley after all</p>
<p>Let’s go back to the real question: The OP is talking about taking the bart in oakland, which I’m guessing is gonna be from airbart to bart. You barely step foot in what one would really call oakland. It’s just two transitional points. Another thing: you’ll probably arrive in the daytime and more than likely, there will be like 3-10 other berkeley students on the same train. do you have train-phobia? if you do, then take the bus. if not, sit in the train, wait till you get to berk. that’s it and that’s all. what is exactly there to be scared of? and you can’t even be scared of oakland. it’s the name of a damn city.</p>
<p>You guys are harsh. Oakland has a horrible rep, and while it’s not as bad it is portrayed, you can easily find yourself in trouble if you’re not careful. All of you “wow”-ing at this thread and telling people to get over it really need to stop tooting your own horns. I’ve seen pretty shady business occur in BART cars, I’ve seen homeless people puke over themselves and pass out on the seats, and I’ve seen businessmen with bikes fishing for 3G inside tunnels. None of this, however, put me in danger. BART is awesome. Fact is, the OP has decent reason to be concerned, especially if s/he is not used to being “street-smart.” </p>
<p>With that being said, the ride from Oakland Airport to Berkeley is a pretty closed and safe ride. You’re never out on the streets, so you’re generally safe. Do take the opportunity to look around since this is your first time (I’m assuming) in the Oakland/Berkeley area. Generally, be aware of your surroundings and your neighbors. Just be alert enough to know what’s going on, and be mindful of how you’re portraying yourself.</p>
<p>BTW, getting an entourage = best advice ever.</p>
<p>I said there’s nothing wrong with Oakland except its PR about the crime statistics because it is known to be a very dangerous city for good reason, but it’s also a little exaggerated. You are not going to be raped and/or murdered and/or assaulted or whatever just because you happen to be in Oakland. Those things happen, and with a greater per capita frequency than many other places, as pos says, but random acts of violence do not make up the bulk of those numbers. And it isn’t all of Oakland that has so many of these things going on. </p>
<p>Again, though, the BART is pretty safe. Street-smart, as I’ve said before, is mostly just being aware of your surroundings.</p>
<p>You get random thugs asking you for money in a fairly menacing way, going as far as to sit next to you before the proposition.</p>
<p>Oh, no one mentioned if you BART through oakland, you can get SHOT IN THE HEAD? Clearly the bart station cameras didn’t help that dude.</p>
<p>Seriously…the bart is as safe as you make it, especially at night. telling someone to grow balls is one of the best ways to show how friendly berkeley is, so thanks and nice job campus rep</p>
<p>I live in Oakland near the Lake. It’s a nice area and its adjacent to Emeryville and Temescal/North Oakland/South Berkeley. In my two years living here since I graduated, the worst thing that has happened to me is that my car was broken into. The tales of Oakland being a lawless city of murders is pretty overblown. Yea, we have a bad murder rate some years – but that is mostly restricted to the DEEP EAST (AKA, no-go unless you have business there and then you leave). I am a white guy who has lived in Oakland for two years and I have never felt unsafe. Oakland actually has a culturally and socially rich and diverse population and hosts a good many events and there are some damn fine restaurants and places to have fun on Piedmont Ave/Grand Ave and Lakeshore. Also, if you are into that culture, we also have Oaksterdam which is on the far side of the lake from me near Broadway. (I think) In otherwords, Oakland is great. The airport situation is a non-issue as you get off BART and onto a shuttle almost immediately and Oakland Airport recently went through some renovations that make it a pretty pleasant place to hang out while you are waiting for your flight.</p>
<p>As far as going into Oakland – it’s like any other urban center. Pay attention to your surroundings and exude confidence and be alert. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I cling to my wallet every time I walk through Rockridge. Jesus.</p>
<p>Undecided is right. “Street Smart.” </p>
<p>Don’t look like a target and you won’t be one.</p>
<p>I heard there was a case of cannibals roaming the West Oakland BART a couple years back. Beware.</p>
<p>Taking BART in oakland is not that bad… i’ve done it by myself a few times, my friends have done it, and i happen to a 5’4" asian girl. do you feel better now? lol</p>
<p>Original poster-I appreciate your post, and your question. Coming from outside the area into a more urban environ can be daunting. I believe the earlier posters gave you the right advise as to how to handle logistics from the Oakland airport to Cal, and urban life heads up actions.
For those readers not familiar with Oakland-except for statistics/news reports-there is so much more to Oakland than those snippets. For example:
Weather-average 72 degrees. Diverse population-over 30+(?) different languages spoken by our students in the public schools. Wonderful ethnic neighborhoods, music, food/restaurants. Houses built in the turn of the 1800’s as well as modern architecture. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and groves of Redwoods. The beautiful fog in the early morning. Lots to enjoy and appreciate! My two cents-APOL-a mom</p>
<p>mind your own business and try to travel in a group if your worried</p>
<p>the last major incident was the shooting back on new years… (there was something goin on and a cop shot this guy for no reason…pretty sad) there was alot of coverage about it</p>
<p>be scared of the BART police XD</p>
<p>Um, I think you’re forgetting the murder of the 3 police officers in March. That was pretty major.</p>
<p>^^It was actually 4 officers. The 4th officer died a few days later in the hospital.(<a href=“http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/22/local/me-oakland-police22[/url]”>http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/22/local/me-oakland-police22</a>)</p>
<p>3 kids were just shot in broad daylight a few days ago. One of them was a 14-yo boy and the other two were 1 and 4-yo girls. Unfortunately they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.</p>
<p>Violent crimes in Oakland have been the norm for as long as I can remember. Some relatives that live in Oakland say that if the homicide rate is less than 100 by December it’s considered a ‘good’ year.</p>