No area is safe in Philadelphia County (Washington, Avalon: insurance, crime rate)

[danwxman]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

This is probably an exaggeration, but I believe to some extent such incidents do occur. Especially around 14th and Pine at 1:37 am.

Right... it seems an unsavory element likes to hang out in that area at night. 13th between locust and spruce is pretty gross after midnight.

But 16th and Locust? There's an Irish pub and a PATCO stop. I mean maybe the hordes are coming from Jersey? lol

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

just to clarify. Not EVERYWHERE.. Its never happened where we live.... It happened in the cities and and bad areas in general. Most definitely not everywhere ..

We know how much you hate Philly and think everyone is out to get you and your family, but crime happens everywhere.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by JHG722

We know how much you hate Philly and think everyone is out to get you and your family, but crime happens everywhere.

More in some places that others

[KansastoSouthphilly]

I certainly understand your frustration after being mugged and I can't say that I would react differently.

But....

Things like this will happen in ALL large urban areas. When it comes to big cities in the US Philly isn't really that dangerous.

I've lived in Kansas City and St. Louis both of which felt (and statistically were) MUCH more dangerous than Philadelphia. Of the big mid atlantic cities only New York is safer as Newark/Baltimore/DC are much more dangerous than Philly.

I agree that crime is a bad thing and that Philly (and all major urban areas) have too much. I just don't understand the hysteria of some people (not talking about the OP as I think anger is an appropriate reaction to being mugged). Incidents like this do happen and always will happen. That doesn't mean the area is definitively "unsafe" at least by urban standards.

[Avalon08]

Especially around 14th and Pine at 1:37 am.

14th and Pine, huh? How long have you lived here? LOL

OP: I'm truly sorry to hear about your mugging. I'm not sure I'd feel any differently if it happened to me. But...regarding Philly's being on the "most dangerous cities" list, it's not because of random acts of violence in trendy neighborhoods, it's because of the high murder rate in the most notorious crime-ridden police districts in the city. Thugs murdering each other.

[ad08am]

Originally Posted by elflord1973

I'm sorry to hear about this incident, no-one wants to be the victim of violent crime.

However, I think you will be disappointed if your expectation is that people will change their minds about the 6th largest city in the US on account of an anecdote of a strong arm robbery posted on an internet message board. It's analogous to a car accident victim telling everyone to stop driving.

I also find it hard to swallow the notion that a petty crime taking place in center city endangers everyone in Philadelphia County. Center city is like many other cities, easily accessible to the types of people who are likely to try to rob you, harass you, or whatever. Having a city police department that crack down on crime very aggressively (e.g. like Giuliani in NY) can help, but even that doesn't make the risk completely go away. However, I doubt that people who live in Chestnut Hill and Roxborough feel terribly threatened by this (it doesn't help their tax bills, but it doesn't put them at risk of violent crime except when they go into the city)

Generally people who have very low tolerance for criminal activity don't live in the center of large cities. People who live in large cities generally do so because they want to be where the action is -- where history is being created on a daily basis. They are willling to accept the dark side that comes with that, which includes a greater risk of crime victimization.

You're right. I'm not going to persuade many people, but it would make me feel better if I could stop (or make them think twice) at least one person or family from moving here especially people from other parts of the country. If I was not from around here I'm not sure if I would move here but I digress. I always learned that if you are dissatisfied with a business, you tell five other people about the business and they tell five other people and so on and you hope it catches on-same with a city and county. Even if I did say not to move here, people have free will and can move wherever they want. You're are right about urban living, too. People move to suburbs to most crime, which is why I'll probably move near my family in the PA suburbs (although I don't know if I want to move near my family on the Main Line again. The area is full of wanna-be snobs and fake people as most suburbs are sadly but that's irrelevant). Philadelphia has potential but the crime issue is too important for me to ignore.

[Marius Pontmercy]

Originally Posted by ad08am

You're right. I'm not going to persuade many people, but it would make me feel better if I could stop (or make them think twice) at least one person or family from moving here especially people from other parts of the country. If I was not from around here I'm not sure if I would move here but I digress. I always learned that if you are dissatisfied with a business, you tell five other people about the business and they tell five other people and so on and you hope it catches on-same with a city and county. Even if I did say not to move here, people have free will and can move wherever they want. You're are right about urban living, too. People move to suburbs to most crime, which is why I'll probably move near my family in the PA suburbs (although I don't know if I want to move near my family on the Main Line again. The area is full of wanna-be snobs and fake people as most suburbs are sadly but that's irrelevant). Philadelphia has potential but the crime issue is too important for me to ignore.

Exactly, so why try and persuade them with this post?

I'm going to stay here regardless, although I am sympathetic to you and am disappointed the city is losing another good citizen.

[elflord1973]

Originally Posted by ad08am

The area is full of wanna-be snobs and fake people as most suburbs are sadly but that's irrelevant). Philadelphia has potential but the crime issue is too important for me to ignore.

Good luck with your search. I'm sure you'll find some places around the main line that are much safer, and yet reasonably snob-free. The housing in neighborhoods like Narberth, Ardmore and Belmont hills is far too modest for someone who is trying to prove to everyone just how important they are, but the neighborhoods are very pleasant. The only thing you might miss is the night life (not much of it in the burbs) and having good restaurants close by. But if you're really ready for a change, you might find you don't miss it so much.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by ad08am

(although I don't know if I want to move near my family on the Main Line again. The area is full of wanna-be snobs and fake people as most suburbs are sadly but that's irrelevant)

That's such absolute garbage. You're judging over 173,000 people...

[schmapty]

Originally Posted by ad08am

although I don't know if I want to move near my family on the Main Line again.

I think we found the problem right there. An entitled child of the mainline moved to the big bad city and had a bad experience. Now said child is making it his/her mission to tell everyone how awful the big bad city is. I usually wouldn't be so harsh on an a victim like that, but the kid is asking for it. A more balanced and mature response would be to accept that it happens everywhere and stick it out or move back to the mainline and say "the city wasn't for me." Instead you need to spead the word how bad the city in hopes of saving someone from the evils on the other side of route 1.
I am sorry if I'm being a bit blunt here.