Stereotypes of UCLA and USC? (Los Angeles, Berkeley: 2011, best school, universities)

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by asielen

The neighborhood around USC is not as bad as people make it out to be. But it really depends on the person. Some people always walk around like tourists even if they have lived in a place their whole lives. If that is you, then you will probably have problems. If you can take care of yourself then you will be fine. However, I wouldn’t live too close to campus unless you are an undergrad. Most of the housing in the area is keyed towards the undergrad experience.

Sorry, but I have to call your bluff. "Some people always walk around like tourists"-- what the flying **** does that mean? Care to explain that in detail? You obviously have no clue about the crime wave that has happened in this neighborhood over the summer. No clue. Would you like me to post the dozen or so crime alerts I've received? Map them out for you? Analyze the suspects? Especially on the west side of the campus, where a lot of grad students live. The USC neighborhood isn't that bad if your idea of life is barricading yourself indoors all night from the moment it gets dark in the evening.

[TheRealAngelion]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Sorry, but I have to call your bluff. "Some people always walk around like tourists"-- what the flying **** does that mean? Care to explain that in detail? You obviously have no clue about the crime wave that has happened in this neighborhood over the summer. No clue. Would you like me to post the dozen or so crime alerts I've received? Map them out for you? Analyze the suspects? Especially on the west side of the campus, where a lot of grad students live. The USC neighborhood isn't that bad if your idea of life is barricading yourself indoors all night from the moment it gets dark in the evening.

Although you were directing your post to someone else, I decided to chide in because I do believe there's a bit of hysteria associated with the neighborhood around USC. Since you are so clued in as a resident of University Park and as a current USC student, please tell us how many USC students were actually robbed, assaulted, and murdered in your neighborhood this summer?

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by TheRealAngelion

Although you were directing your post to someone else, I decided to chide in because I do believe there's a bit of hysteria associated with the neighborhood around USC. Since you are so clued in as a resident of University Park and as a current USC student, please tell us how many USC students were actually robbed, assaulted, and murdered in your neighborhood this summer?

University of Southern California
PUBLIC SAFETY
CRIME ALERT
2008-0027


The University Of Southern California Department Of Public Safety is
providing this notice of a criminal incident that occurred in our
community in order to provide information that may help in avoiding a
similar crime or provide information to solve this crime. This notice
is also intended to meet the requirements of the “Timely Notice”
provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security
Policy and Campus Crime Statistic Act of 1998.

ROBBERY

DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: June 23, 2008, 9:19 PM


LOCATION: Vermont Ave. at 36th Place (Off Campus).


REPORTED OFFENSE: The complainant reported that as he walked south
bound on Vermont Ave., at 36th Place, three suspects approached him from
behind on foot. One suspect stepped in front of him and displayed a
hand gun from his right front pant pocket, while suspect #2 demanded the
complainant’s property. The complainant complied. The suspects then
fled out of sight South bound Vermont Ave.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by complainant):

Suspect # 1: Male, Black, 5 foot 5 inches tall, 160 pounds, 20-25
years old, black hair, Black tee-shirt, and black pants.
Suspect # 2: Male, Black, 5 foot 5 inches tall, 160 pounds, 20-25
years old, black hair, Black tee-shirt, and black pants.
Suspect # 3: Male, Black, 5 foot 5 inches tall, 160 pounds, 20-25
years old, black hair, Black tee-shirt, and black pants.

Vehicle: None seen or heard

ROBBERY

DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: July 4, 2008, 3:15 AM


LOCATION: 1200 block of 30th St. (Off Campus).


REPORTED OFFENSE: The complainant was standing in the 1200 block of
30th street when the suspects approached and passed him on foot. After
passing the complainant, the suspects turned and confronted the
complainant. One of the suspects then displayed a hand gun from his
right front pants pocket. The complainant out of fear for his safety
gave the suspect his property. The suspects then fled out of sight north
bound in an adjacent alley on foot.


SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by complainant):

Suspect # 1: Male, Black, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 150 pounds, 20-25
years old, wearing a red hooded sweater and blue jeans.

Suspect # 2: Male, Black, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 150 pounds, 20-25
years old, white hooded sweater and blue jeans.

Vehicle: None seen.

ROBBERY

DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: July 10th, 2008, 9:50 PM

LOCATION: 37th Place & Catalina Street (Off Campus)

REPORTED OFFENSE: The Complainant reported that he was walking
westbound on 37th Place, when three suspects approached him from behind,
two were on bikes. Suspects confronted complainant, and one suspect
reached inside of victim’s pocket and physically removed
complainant’s property. The complainant complied. The suspects fled
eastbound towards Vermont Avenue, out of sight.


SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by complainant):

Suspect # 1: Male Black, 5 foot 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, 16-18 years
old, was wearing a tee-shirt, dark shorts to his knees.

Suspect #2: Male Black, 5 foot 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, 16-18 years
old, was wearing a tee-shirt, dark shorts to his knees.

Suspect #3 Male Black, 5 foot 6 inches tall, 130 pounds, 16-18 years
old, was wearing a tee-shirt, dark shorts to his knees.

Vehicle: None seen

To: USC University Park Community

Fr: Department of Public Safety

Re: Incident Resolution Notices

In an effort to better communicate with the campus community about
public safety issues, we are pleased to provide the following Incident
Resolution Notice.

Notices of this nature detail instances in which DPS and/or LAPD have
been able to bring a resolution to reported illegal acts affecting our
community members. We look forward to providing you with more updates
of this nature.


Incident: Burglary/Arrest
Date: July 24, 2008
Location: 1211 W. 37 TH Pl.
Description: The Complainant reported that he was inside his
residence when the suspect was seen by DPS officers reaching inside his
apartment window attempting to remove the complainant’s property. An
additional suspect was near the complainant’s residence acting as a
look out. The USCDPS and LAPD officers were working a joint plain
clothes burglary detail in the area at the time.

Disposition: On July 24, 2008 both of the suspects were immediately
apprehended by the officers, and were positively identified by the
victim as the ones who committed the Burglary. The male suspect was also
arrested for two other burglaries (committed against USC students) that
had occurred recently in this area. The second Residential Burglary
occurred on July 23, 2008 and the third Residential Burglary occurred on
July 17, 2008.
LAPD Southwest officers transported the two suspects to Southwest
Division station for booking for 459 P.C./Residential Burglary.

Sincerely,

USC Department of Public Safety

To: USC University Park Community

Fr: Department of Public Safety

Re: Incident Resolution Notices

In an effort to better communicate with the campus community about
public safety issues, we are pleased to provide the following Incident
Resolution Notice.
Notices of this nature detail instances in which DPS and/or LAPD have
been able to bring a resolution to reported illegal acts affecting our
community members. We look forward to providing you with more updates
of this nature.

Incident: Robbery Arrests
Date: August 6, 2008
Location: 3700 Block of South Raymond Ave.

Description: On the evening of August 6, 2008, two suspects approached
and demanded property from a student. The student complied with the
suspects’ demands and the two suspects ran south bound from the
location on Raymond Ave. The student immediately called DPS to report
the crime.

Disposition: DPS officers already on patrol in the area, located and
detained the suspects immediately after the crime. The student was able
to positively identify the two suspects, and they were subsequently
arrested and booked for 211 P.C. / Robbery at LAPD Southwest Division.



Sincerely,

USC Department of Public Safety

ROBBERY

DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: August 11, 2008, 9:30 PM


LOCATION: 3600 block Vermont Ave. (Off Campus).


REPORTED OFFENSE: The complainant reported that as he walked
southbound on Vermont Ave. three suspects approached him on bicycles.
One suspect demanded money several times while riding next to the
complainant. The suspects then stopped in front of complainant and
demanded money. The complainant in fear for his safety complied. Two
suspects then fled in an unknown direction while one suspect fled
westbound on 37th St. out of view.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by complainant):

Suspect # 1: Male, black, 5 foot 4 inches tall, 100 pounds, 9-10 years
old, wearing all black clothing, riding a BMX style bicycle.

Suspect # 2: Male, black, 5 foot 8 inches tall, 140 pounds, 14-16
years old, wearing all black clothing, riding a BMX style bicycle.

Suspect# 3: Male, black, 5 foot 8 inches tall, 140 pounds, 14-16 years
old, wearing all black clothing, riding BMX style bicycle.

ROBBERY
LAPD Detectives notified DPS on 8/13/08 about this crime
DATE & TIME OF OCCURRENCE: 8-10-08 / 1:00 AM
LOCATION: 2717 S. Orchard Ave. (Off campus)
REPORTED OFFENSE Armed Robbery & Kidnapping
The complainant reported that he was walking northbound on Orchard Ave.
towards 28th Street when two suspects who had exited a vehicle
approached him. The suspects both brandished blue steel firearms,
demanded money, and then grabbed the complainant and forced him into
their vehicle. The complainant was later dropped off several blocks
south of the university. The suspects fled the scene in their vehicle.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION (provided by complainant)

Suspect #1: Male Black, 6 foot 1 inch tall, 170 lbs. 25 years old,
wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, bandana and dark pants.

Suspect#2: Male Black, 6 foot 1 inch tall, 175 lbs. 25 years old,
wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, bandana and dark pants

SUSPECT VEHICLE:

Unknown year make or model dark green or charcoal grey 2-Door coupe
Possible License of 4MAG028

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CRIMES, CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY AT 740-4321 OR LAPD SOUTHWEST AREA AT (213) 485-6571.
TAKE A STAND AGAINST ROBBERY

[TheRealAngelion]

^ Although these few robberies are scary, they don't constitute a "crime wave" IMO. And most importantly, there's no report of violent crimes (i.e. assault and murder) on the list. For a school of more than 33,000 students, this represents a very small fraction of the student population that has been directly impacted by crime around campus.

[mark85]

I think that a part of the college experience that shouldn't be missed out on is living on campus, at least for freshman year. Living in the UCLA dorms or suites is pretty sweet. You can walk or ride your bike to westwood, around campus or to visit friends living nearby at any hour without having to worry about getting mugged or having to deal with traffic.

To the OP - you definitely should plan on spending a day at each campus to see where you feel at home, before deciding.

[timelesschild]

Originally Posted by mark85

To the OP - you definitely should plan on spending a day at each campus to see where you feel at home, before deciding.

GREAT advice!

[asielen]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Sorry, but I have to call your bluff. "Some people always walk around like tourists"-- what the flying **** does that mean? Care to explain that in detail? You obviously have no clue about the crime wave that has happened in this neighborhood over the summer. No clue. Would you like me to post the dozen or so crime alerts I've received? Map them out for you? Analyze the suspects? Especially on the west side of the campus, where a lot of grad students live. The USC neighborhood isn't that bad if your idea of life is barricading yourself indoors all night from the moment it gets dark in the evening.

You are right I have no clue. I am living in the area, got all the crime reports, and am still alive. I happen to go to USC and I wont deny the crime in the area. But you have to be smart about who you present yourself in public. If you look lost or if you are drunk and stumbling down the street you are an easy target. If you just keep to yourself, look like you know what you are doing then from my experiences and my friends who also live in the area you wont have a problem. Even better if you don't walk alone.

I know people who have had things stolen, but typically its because they did something stupid like leave their laptop or other valuables lying out in the backseat of their car.

[vegaspilgrim]

Originally Posted by asielen

You are right I have no clue. I am living in the area, got all the crime reports, and am still alive. I happen to go to USC and I wont deny the crime in the area. But you have to be smart about who you present yourself in public. If you look lost or if you are drunk and stumbling down the street you are an easy target. If you just keep to yourself, look like you know what you are doing then from my experiences and my friends who also live in the area you wont have a problem. Even better if you don't walk alone.

I know people who have had things stolen, but typically its because they did something stupid like leave their laptop or other valuables lying out in the backseat of their car.

Thanks for your restrained reply to my aggressive response. I was in kind of a p---'d off mood earlier. Maybe I'm just overreacting here? I don't think I walk around "looking lost"-- I usually walk fast and look around my shoulder all the time. Maybe even a little too paranoid. It's just that this is the first time I've ever lived in a neighborhood where I just don't feel "safe." Well, one exception-- when there were two serial killers running around Phoenix two summers ago, that was pretty scary. One thing is crime statistics, another thing is feelings. I'm used to taking walks at night, not at 2 in the morning, but at 8, 9, even 10 o'clock, sure. I still do that about once a week or so, but not here-- now I have to get in my car, drive at least 25 minutes to some nice, happening spot in West LA just to take a leisurely walk, by myself, without worrying about running into gangs. I've heard stories from some of my neighbors and TA's I know who have lived here for a while about people getting shot in front of the west gate of campus, Bloods and Crips going after each other at Burger King, etc. A lot of that violence probably has nothing to do with USC students, but it just doesn't make me feel good. I think I made a mistake choosing to live right by campus, but I'm here until next May so I cope by hitting the 10 or 110 and getting out of dodge as often as I can. West LA, Pasadena, Studio City, Redondo Beach-- those four areas are where I try to hang out as much as possible when I have a few hours to kill.

[asielen]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Thanks for your restrained reply to my aggressive response. I was in kind of a p---'d off mood earlier. Maybe I'm just overreacting here? I don't think I walk around "looking lost"-- I usually walk fast and look around my shoulder all the time. Maybe even a little too paranoid. It's just that this is the first time I've ever lived in a neighborhood where I just don't feel "safe." Well, one exception-- when there were two serial killers running around Phoenix two summers ago, that was pretty scary. One thing is crime statistics, another thing is feelings. I'm used to taking walks at night, not at 2 in the morning, but at 8, 9, even 10 o'clock, sure. I still do that about once a week or so, but not here-- now I have to get in my car, drive at least 25 minutes to some nice, happening spot in West LA just to take a leisurely walk, by myself, without worrying about running into gangs. I've heard stories from some of my neighbors and TA's I know who have lived here for a while about people getting shot in front of the west gate of campus, Bloods and Crips going after each other at Burger King, etc. A lot of that violence probably has nothing to do with USC students, but it just doesn't make me feel good. I think I made a mistake choosing to live right by campus, but I'm here until next May so I cope by hitting the 10 or 110 and getting out of dodge as often as I can. West LA, Pasadena, Studio City, Redondo Beach-- those four areas are where I try to hang out as much as possible when I have a few hours to kill.

I didn't mean to imply that you were like that. I just know some people who are and they are the people that tend to get hassled. And, I don't deny there is crime; I wouldn't live in the area if I wasn't going to school there. However, I don't think living in fear helps anything. I see more cops and Security around USC than anywhere else in LA. Part of that is the crime, but also part of that is the continued effort to clean up the area. The plan is working a bit, crime has decreased overall in the last decade and USC has done quite a bit to continue the progress.


But just like you, when I am done with school I will be finding somewhere else to live.

[the one]

why not, instead of driving, jump on the nearest bus and get off and go for a walk. the buses are pretty safe. being on the bus helps me unwind. to clear my head i would sit and wait and then ride for a while.
now a tip if you are waiting for the bus in the hood: stand next to old people. and kids. it helps. these are just lil tips to surviving urban DODGE.

dont fret. crime can be bad, but the fear of it is worse.