<p>I accidentally first posted this as a reply to another post, so I'm trying again as a new post. Thanks to the two parents who already replied. </p>
<p>"I was truly sitting down to write this post when I read about the murder/suicide off campus, so please don't think I'm asking this just because of that incident. My husband's family is expressing concern that we will be sending our daughter to UMCP because "College Park is not a very safe area." One of his sisters lives in suburban VA. We are OOS, and visited the campus twice. We didn't feel unsafe or notice anything to be particularly concerned about, but we were not there at night. It seemed like the campus had quite a few safety measures. I don't know that much about the surrounding area. I would love to hear some feedback."</p>
<p>Hi
Both my sons are at UMD college park as Freshman. I am afraid of my own shadow and feel that the campus and area is safe. You can find areas anywhere that are unsafe. It will be your daughter’s responsibility to discriminate. My boys LOVE it there!!!</p>
<p>I suggest you try calling and talking to someone at the school - maybe they can help alleviate your concerns. I will be very happy if m son gets accepted to and attends Maryland. Of course you need to take basic safety precautions.</p>
<p>My twins are freshmen at Maryland and I have lived in the area my entire life. I also graduated from Maryland. The campus is quite safe, and Route 1 is mostly safe (but be smart as you would in any urban area). The Maryland campus is a place where my kids and their friends are able to learn and socialize without fear. My daughter often parks late at night and walks alone on campus; she is aware of the blue light system and, for added safety, she carries pepper spray. I personally love the environment.</p>
<p>Just Fear the Turtle!
really. No fear. We walk in groups, never alone after dark. If you dare to look for trouble, things happen, regardless of the location. Just be cautions whatever school you choose. Just never walk alone when dark. Can’t stress that enough. I fell otherwise extremely safe, we have plenty security officers we can trust as well as plenty blue lights.</p>
<p>I live fairly close by, but don’t know College Park well enough to speak with authority. But I can give you my impressions. I have never felt uncomfortable in College Park or at UM during the day. I think a young woman alone would be uncomfortable at night in College Park – not sure about walking on campus. The poster above, colormaker, notes they never walk alone at night. I think that is common on urban campuses, although UM is more suburban. Maybe it’s an individual decision, but I would not exclude UM because of safety issues.</p>
<p>It’s always safe during day on campus, and also long as you’re smart at night you should be fine. Most of the crimes that tend to happen are pretty minor and incidents that involve a fatality are extremely rare as far as I know.</p>
<p>I lived in or near College Park for many years. My sons went/go to school down the street from the university. I never feared for my safety. The Route 1 corridor used to have a seedier feel to it than it does today, but even there, it was always safe. I’ve let my kids attend events at Maryland unattended, even at night. My wife took night classes there when it was perhaps not quite as nice as it is today.</p>
<p>As college campuses go, I think Maryland is as safe as most. As small towns go, College Park is actually pretty nice, pretty family-friendly. It wasn’t as nice years ago, but with the Route 1 corridor renewal, they’ve swept away some of the iffier establishments and forced others to clean up their act. Even so, before the renewal, College Park used to be more of a good ol’ redneck kind of place, not an urban jungle kind of place.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the input. I felt much the same when we visited, but it is always nice to have your instinct confirmed. My husband will be visiting for the first time with D for the open house, and hopefully he will get the same impression.</p>