Just because you go to Hopkins doesn't mean you're street smart
We live in a dangerous city. In 2002, Baltimore was ranked the country's second-most-dangerous city in a study using FBI data. Even in Charles Village, a neighborhood populated by students and families, you need to be cautious. College students are easy targets - they have cash and cell phones in their pockets.
Campus Security's website, http://www.jhu.edu/~security, lists crimes in the neighborhood by date. During the week of July 23 to July 30, there were two documented instances of trespassing on campus, one aggravated assault on three people and an armed robbery of an undergraduate. But don't let statistics keep you from going places and getting the most out of the city. When it comes to being careful around here, there are plenty of things you can do protect yourself from harm.
A lot is basic common sense. First of all, it is always safer, day or night, to walk with someone else. Your chances of being assaulted, mugged, murdered, bamboozled or hoodwinked go down when you are with another person. And the more people you walk with, the better. Cross the street if you feel uncomfortable. Avoid strolling around town rocking out with your iPod. You need to be aware of your surroundings; you don't have to look over your shoulder every four seconds, but don't zone out. Don't carry around an ATM's worth of cash at night, or credit cards and the real ID you won't be using. And the same goes for expensive stuff: remember to take your camera or iPod out of your bag if you don't think you'll need it.
Consider using the escort shuttle - it can take a while to pick you up, especially in cold weather or rain, but it's worth the wait, particularly if you're alone at night. By taking the shuttle, you eliminate risk of being harmed. A lot of people program the shuttle phone number into their phones so they always have it. Some people never notice that this number is listed right on their J-Cards! The shuttle runs until 3 a.m., but if you need a ride later than that you can call the same number and try to get campus security to give you a lift. If you have trouble getting security to pick you up, insist that you need the ride. It's better to sound paranoid on the phone than wind up mugged or worse. Telling them that you're risking death if they don't give you a ride usually does the trick.
Campus Security's website, http://www.jhu.edu/~security, lists crimes in the neighborhood by date. During the week of July 23 to July 30, there were two documented instances of trespassing on campus, one aggravated assault on three people and an armed robbery of an undergraduate. But don't let statistics keep you from going places and getting the most out of the city. When it comes to being careful around here, there are plenty of things you can do protect yourself from harm.
A lot is basic common sense. First of all, it is always safer, day or night, to walk with someone else. Your chances of being assaulted, mugged, murdered, bamboozled or hoodwinked go down when you are with another person. And the more people you walk with, the better. Cross the street if you feel uncomfortable. Avoid strolling around town rocking out with your iPod. You need to be aware of your surroundings; you don't have to look over your shoulder every four seconds, but don't zone out. Don't carry around an ATM's worth of cash at night, or credit cards and the real ID you won't be using. And the same goes for expensive stuff: remember to take your camera or iPod out of your bag if you don't think you'll need it.
Consider using the escort shuttle - it can take a while to pick you up, especially in cold weather or rain, but it's worth the wait, particularly if you're alone at night. By taking the shuttle, you eliminate risk of being harmed. A lot of people program the shuttle phone number into their phones so they always have it. Some people never notice that this number is listed right on their J-Cards! The shuttle runs until 3 a.m., but if you need a ride later than that you can call the same number and try to get campus security to give you a lift. If you have trouble getting security to pick you up, insist that you need the ride. It's better to sound paranoid on the phone than wind up mugged or worse. Telling them that you're risking death if they don't give you a ride usually does the trick.
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