Chicago and Safety

My mother was very concerned about me moving to Chicago because of its reputation as a rather violent place. This reputation is not entirely unfounded, but I'd like to share a few thoughts.

1) If you want real violence, go to someplace with the most violent crime per capita. Chicago is actually not in the top 10 worst cities for this in the USA, although shortly after I sent in my MAPSS acceptance last year I listened to a piece on NPR about how there had been more violent deaths in Chicago than in Afghanistan in 2012. Remember, Chicago is a really freakin' big city. And I think I've been much more secure in Chicago than I would have been in, say, Memphis or New Orleans. Again, I live pretty darn close to President Obama's house. Campus police are a notable presence in Hyde Park. I've never felt as unsafe here as I did on campus as an undergraduate at my alma mater, in a much smaller city. In fact, emails reporting crimes in the area also go out a lot less frequently here than at my alma mater. Go figure.

2) This doesn't mean Chicago is all fun and daisies. There's a lot of crime. A few weeks ago, a friend was walking - on campus, in broad daylight - and had her cell phone out. Someone ran by, grabbed it, and was able to jump into a waiting car at the end of the block before she could react. Slick. She was out an expensive phone. Another friend was mugged here over the summer - when I asked what happened, she shrugged and said "Some idiot kid held a gun on me and my friends." She did the right thing, the smart thing, and no one was hurt. But that happened. The area is more dangerous during the summer, and not just if you're walking alone at night.

3) I could tell you to use your common sense here, and I think there's a lot to be said for the common sense argument. For not doing stupid things. There are neighborhoods where I have never gone, and never plan to go. I am not usually playing with my phone while out and about - and incidentally, being distracted makes you a better target for more than just a snatch 'n grab. But I also think there's a WHOLE lot to be said for not victim blaming. I would rather live in a world where I didn't have to worry about that kind of crap. And I don't think it's productive to live your life in fear.

4) Tonight I walked to buy ice cream after dark. I was wearing a sheer, sleeveless dress, flats, and not much else. And absolutely nothing happened to me. I bought some popsicles, and I carried them home, with my little purse and my skimpy dress, and had no incidents. Was it the smartest thing to do? No. But if any of you are familiar with the Series of Unfortunate Events, you know that living your life in fear is not a good idea, especially if you live on Lake Lachrymose Michigan. Of all the people I've met in Chicago, I know two who have dealt with crimes, only one of them a potentially dangerous crime. And if I'm being honest, I walk by myself after dark a lot. And either people take one look at me and mistake me for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or it's really not as dangerous as your mom and NPR want you to think it is, especially in Hyde Park.

So I've done my blogging duty for the night, I think. I'd still like to make posts on Perspectives as a course, the futures of MAPSS kids (including yours truly) and "whether MAPSS is right for you," but those can doubtless come as I finish up papers in the next couple of weeks.