EDITORIAL: Parents just don't understand

Venting their anger at administrators was conduct unbecoming and unproductive of moms and dads. We know, we know. You have every right to be upset at the number and severity of crimes that have besieged the area around campus since the start of school this year. You have every right to fear for your childrens' safety. You have every right to ask the University -- and the City of Philadelphia -- to do more to stop the violence. You do not, however, serve anyone's interest -- not Penn's, not yours and certainly not your childrens' -- by screaming obscenities at city officials or allowing the sway of your emotions to usurp your powers of reason, as you did this weekend. In the wake of the shooting of College senior Patrick Leroy, we pressed for action -- with words on these pages, petitions and marches and protests. And we got it, in the form of increased police patrols and additional blue-light phones. In the wake of researcher Vladimir Sled's murder, the same outraged voices spoke up -- and the University responded with the offer of a $10,000 reward for information about the case. Clearly, there's more to be done in the area of safety. But just putting more police on the streets or pledging to spend more money won't do it. We know. We live in West Philadelphia, remember? You want more safety measures? So do we. But each dollar spent on safety is one less for instruction or residences or recreation -- or one more tacked onto next year's tuition bills. And as for building a wall around campus or doing something equally improbable to keep the criminal element out -- well, this isn't Dartmouth or Swarthmore. Urbanity, imperfect as it is, comes in the University package. Mayor Ed Rendell, a Penn alum, was right when he said Drexel students have more street smarts. Most aren't from sheltered suburban homes, and many are commuters who aren't in this neighborhood after dark. Short of forcing your kids to transfer, you can help them most by channeling your anger and fear productively. Encourage your kids to be aware, to take proper precautions (even if they didn't help Leroy) and to use security systems the University has instituted, like walking and riding Escort. Then, you can take a deep breath and think about what would really help the West Philadelphia community. Let us know when you reach some substantive conclusions.