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Hello. I was recently sent out by an employer to go door-to-door, by myself (I am a 22 year old female), in the Fordham Heights & University Heights neighborhoods in the Bronx. I was given the task of canvassing the area and knocking on doors to speak about a specific political cause. I am originally from Chicago and just moved to NYC a week ago, so I'm unfamiliar with the area. I had negative connotations associated with the Bronx, but I was told it was a very nice area where I would be heading.
Upon arriving, it seemed unsavory and I felt more than a little uncomfortable at times walking the streets and entering apartment buildings to knock on random doors. I was wondering what the actual crime rates for the area are and if the area is, in fact, safe or not.
Specifically, I was between Webster Ave to the east, University Avenue to the West, 183rd Street to the South, and 198th Street to the North.
I expressed my concerns to my employer but they fell on deaf ears. There are several other females who are alone canvassing the area, also. Some are as young as 16 and there is even a 14 year old boy in the group who is volunteering.
Is this area actually unsafe or am I imagining things? Are my complaints to my employer as unfounded as my boss makes them seem?
I would really like to know the answer so that I can avoid putting myself in harm's way and avoid something else happening to one of the other workers, too.
That neighborhood does have a high crime rate. Your boss is either lying or doesn't know.
However, at the same time most of that crime is intentional. What I mean is, victimization is intended. Say a beef over drugs, owed money or a woman. Those that are not involved in "the street" are less likely to be victimized. I'll admit there are a lot of armed/strong arm robberies around there but usually at night. Unlikely during the day unless your targeted for a particular reason (flashing money, nice watch ect)
However, I gotta admit. Going up to random apartments in that part of town (alone) is not the safest thing to do. While most people that live there are fine, you'll definitely stumble on some bad seeds knocking on enough doors. Maybe not armed thugs, but wierdos, drug addicts, street kids.
Just be alert and hopefully you can handle yourself. You guys should be grouped together in small groups regardless of the neighborhood. NYC is a great city but there are a lot of "characters". And your talking politics! I don't think what your doing is safe alone.
Hello. I was recently sent out by an employer to go door-to-door, by myself (I am a 22 year old female), in the Fordham Heights & University Heights neighborhoods in the Bronx. I was given the task of canvassing the area and knocking on doors to speak about a specific political cause. I am originally from Chicago and just moved to NYC a week ago, so I'm unfamiliar with the area. I had negative connotations associated with the Bronx, but I was told it was a very nice area where I would be heading.
Upon arriving, it seemed unsavory and I felt more than a little uncomfortable at times walking the streets and entering apartment buildings to knock on random doors. I was wondering what the actual crime rates for the area are and if the area is, in fact, safe or not.
Specifically, I was between Webster Ave to the east, University Avenue to the West, 183rd Street to the South, and 198th Street to the North.
I expressed my concerns to my employer but they fell on deaf ears. There are several other females who are alone canvassing the area, also. Some are as young as 16 and there is even a 14 year old boy in the group who is volunteering.
Is this area actually unsafe or am I imagining things? Are my complaints to my employer as unfounded as my boss makes them seem?
I would really like to know the answer so that I can avoid putting myself in harm's way and avoid something else happening to one of the other workers, too.
Supermario is an expert of this area. I have not been to this part of the Bronx in more than a year so I really can't help you!
Your "employer" hires 14 year olds ? I don't think so,unless it's The Republican National Committee.
If your boss is real and this is a legit thread ,he is a jerk.Going through buildings and banging on doors for a political or religious cause is a very bad idea, regardless of what neighborhood. Sooner or later you are going to come across an unbalanced person on the other side of a door who will either have a weapon or will be big enough to overpower you.
How do you get into buildings? Most NY'ers find it infuriating when strangers with no valid reason to be in a building come knocking.It is perceived as a breach of security.
Every once in a while I get a knock on the door from those awful Jehovah's Witnesses and I escort them out of the building threatening to call the police.
If I were you I'd be more afraid of my "employer" than the neighborhood.
I said the 14 year old was a volunteer...he's not a paid employee. His mom signed him up because she thought it would be a good opportunity for him to get some political and volunteering experience but she doesn't know the nature of the work he's doing. Next time read the post more closely before attacking someone.
Not safe at all. I'm grown and I wouldn't be wandering around that neighborhood knocking on random doors. Also, I'm sure your response rate is very low because people around that area are aware of potential crime and most are not going to open their doors for you.
Go in groups (best bet) or at least pairs if possible. Do not go into buildings with bad lighting, broken doors/mailboxes, or pee-pee smelling hallways/elevators. If you see unsavory people hanging out in the courtyard or lobby think twice about entering. You could be setting yourself up to get trapped...remember they live there and know all the ways to get in and out of the building and you don't.
Thank you for the responses so far. Jasper03, you are right on. Most people don't answer the door. I knocked on ~150 doors the first day but only 15 people answered so the work seems pretty futile.
Your "employer" hires 14 year olds ? I don't think so,unless it's The Republican National Committee.
If your boss is real and this is a legit thread ,he is a jerk.Going through buildings and banging on doors for a political or religious cause is a very bad idea, regardless of what neighborhood. Sooner or later you are going to come across an unbalanced person on the other side of a door who will either have a weapon or will be big enough to overpower you.
How do you get into buildings? Most NY'ers find it infuriating when strangers with no valid reason to be in a building come knocking.It is perceived as a breach of security.
Every once in a while I get a knock on the door from those awful Jehovah's Witnesses and I escort them out of the building threatening to call the police.
If I were you I'd be more afraid of my "employer" than the neighborhood.
Whenever I've had them knock at the front door, I just remain very quiet, turn everything off and pretend as if all of the noises from the TV they were hearing were imaginary. Works like a charm.
Your approach to "escort them out of the building" is hilarious. It almost sounds like you're trying to get rid of some stray animal running around the apartment complex. HAHA!
Not safe at all. I'm grown and I wouldn't be wandering around that neighborhood knocking on random doors. Also, I'm sure your response rate is very low because people around that area are aware of potential crime and most are not going to open their doors for you.
Go in groups (best bet) or at least pairs if possible. Do not go into buildings with bad lighting, broken doors/mailboxes, or pee-pee smelling hallways/elevators. If you see unsavory people hanging out in the courtyard or lobby think twice about entering. You could be setting yourself up to get trapped...remember they live there and know all the ways to get in and out of the building and you don't.
Jasper hit nail on head. All I can add is that you might consider working for NYC Childrens' Services or a non-profit organization (ex. Leake & Watts). Chances are they pay moreand have prudence to pair you up with another worker when doing home visits in unsavory areas throughout the city (ex. Fordham; Brownsville).
youd be walking thru NYPD Operation Impact zones (183rd street and 194th streets), in fact i think that entire area you mention might be an impact zone but maybe not the entire area
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