<p>actually this will sound kind of ridiculous to some, but I’m from one of California’s most dangerous areas, so the area around 'SC is comparitively quite safe… but that isn’t the point. the point is that living in a neighborhood where there is extreme poverty and destitution reminds me of where i came from, and where i have to keep myself from ending up after college. living right next to Westwood like those ucla kids gives an artificiality sense of only the commercially booming side of los angeles.</p>
<p>frankly, no matter where you are, you should hold on to your purse tightly and keep a wary eye, especially at night. crime happens everywhere in the world. carry pepperspray if it makes you feel better.</p>
<p>gangs are not an issue. if there are crimes, they are random. DPS protects you very well on-campus 24-7, and lots of the time they catch the offenders for reported off-campus crimes too. most robberies are probably performed by a handful of less law-abiding students themselves, although the grand majority of Trojans are proud and friendly and are kind to their own.</p>