West Chester Crime (Philadelphia: low crime, university, places to live)

[mom4]

What makes West Chesters crime so high. I heard it was a nice place to raise a family but if you look at the crime rate on a scale 1-10 it is a 7. Is the area around the University of West Chester unsafe? I have a daughter who is touring the campus soon.
Thanks

[jhone]

I was unaware of any crime problems in West Chester and had to find out for myself. This is fromModerator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

West Chester, PA, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 2. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.

West Chester, PA, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 3. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.

[mom4]

Jhone:

Then "Sperling's Best places to live" (city compare) needs to change their ratings because they give West Chester a 6 for violent crime and a 7 for property crime.

[FindingZen]

I'm no expert on West Chester... but my experience is that it is a generally quiet, safe community with an active downtown that can get a bit rowdy on weekend nights when the nearby college students let off steam.

[mom4]

Thanks for your response. We will have to give it a look.

[jhone]

I think Sperling may be off target. Here's what they say about Philadelphia which is about as bad for crime as anyplace in the US. Sperling's ranking places West Chester slightly below Phila. in crime statistics which is absurd.

Philadelphia, PA, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 8. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.

Philadelphia, PA, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.