<p>Most of the homicide is drug/gang related, between people who know each other, drug dealers fighting over turf, etc. and usually does not affect Penn students. Every few years a Penn student gets stabbed/shot in a robbery but statistically your chances of being murdered if you are a Penn student are extremely small - I'd worry more about getting run over by a car. Still use common sense and don't go jogging thru W. Phila. at 3AM.</p>
<p>Penn campus itself is pretty safe. A lot of those murders go on in parts of W. Phila., maybe a mile or two from the campus but it might as well be on the moon because the worlds do not cross. </p>
<p>Transit fares are lower per ride if you buy a pass. Mayor Street was bragging at a convention of his people. Blacks are a very large group of voters in Philadelphia but the power structure is mixed - in the next election there are black candidates and white ones - the mayor before Street was white, if anyone is counting.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to live on or near campus. You'll miss out on the social life if you commute.</p>