Gun Shots in Highland Park? (Pittsburgh, Bloomfield: apartment, crime, home)

[SAhmed1022]

I'm fairly new to Pittsburgh (Highland Park area), just moved here less than a month ago. I don't know how common it is, but there have been a couple of nights where I would hear gun shots clearly from my apartment, seeming to be a few blocks away. I live relatively close to the Negley and Wellesley intersection, and they seem to always be coming from the southwestern direction, if my geography is at all accurate.

When I was choosing neighborhoods to live in during my apartment search months back, I had always read that Highland Park is one of the more safer neighborhoods in the city. I feel somewhat safe when walking down the street to the bus stop, but I'm starting to get a bit nervous when leaving my apartment at night after these incidences.

My main concerns are that I don't know anyone well enough yet, and also that there are a couple of nights when I work at my job until midnight. I'm in my early 20's, female, and small statured. And now I'm scared of coming home late, since I have to rely on the bus, which requires me to walk a couple of mins after it drops me off at the stop to reach my apartment.

I just wanted to know if these gunshots (and other crimes) are common in the Highland Park area, and whether any of you would storngly advise me against coming home late alone.

Any comment or suggestion would be greatly appreciated!!

[Pitts64]

1022, You would be better off in Morningside, Bloomfield or Lawrenceville.
Stantion and Negley ave's are one of the worst hot spots in this city. The neighborhoods near there are in transition to the better right now but it's not over yet.

I wouldn't go out after 9 PM if you can help it. It would also be a good idea to buy a gun or mace and always carry a fifty or hundred dollar bill in case you get robbed. If they get drug money they will run to get more crack and leave you alone.

[juliegt]

As a female, I wouldn't walk alone after midnight even in the safest neighborhood - unless it was a commercial area with businesses that were open late and there were lots of people on the streets at that time. Dark, deserted streets that late at night aren't the best choice. Can you afford a cab on the nights you work till midnight? Would your employer pay for it?

[Awesomo.2000]

^Really, even in Squirrel Hill or Shadyside.

YOu can't let paranoia and the threat of thugs scare you off the streets, you you are letting them win.

I felt more dangerous walking around my parent's suburban neighborhood at night as there were no sidewalks, and the suburbinites would fly by you when taking a walk as if you didn't exist.

I bet you have a higher chance being in a car wreck or being hit by a car in the car dominant neighborhoods then being a victim of a crime in the city.

[slamont61]

As beautiful as Highland Park is, I too can recall many nights when Gun Shot rained outside. I lived at the corner of Highland Ave and Bryant street. The largest apartment I ever lived in there in that building. The park is nice and there used to be a farmers market in the zoo's parking lot. The express bus into town was ultra fast. That I missed, but the crime that seems to have moved in, well it's dangerous.

[TexasGirl@Heart]

Don't walk alone at night in that area!

[SAhmed1022]

Wow, reading the majority of these posts makes me think whether or not I chose the right area of the city. During the daytime, my street looks very pleasant, and sometimes I feel the urge to take a walk or go for a jog, but at night, it feels like I'm in a completely different place. The walk from my stop to the front door is only about 2-3 minutes, so I guess I may have to deal with it and use my city smarts after midnight until I get a better job/can afford a car.

Also, I've heard that mace isn't legal in PA, but I might be completely wrong. What is the law regarding mace? And where in Pittsburgh could I go to buy self-defense items like such?

Thanks for the input everyone, I'm very thankful for the honesty!

[johnnytang24]

Mace is illegal everywhere. Pepper spray is legal in PA. You can buy it in any sporting goods store.

[PeterRabbit]

Go to a firearms store for personal security needs or shop online. Pepper spray, stun guns, tasers.

[GStreetShuffle]

Highland Park is fine. Don't let these people scare you away.