COLUMN: The real University City

From Alex Gino's, "My Cleverly Titled Column," Fall '98 From Alex Gino's, "My Cleverly Titled Column," Fall '98Don't get shot." , "Good luck getting to class alive." , "Don't forgot to duck when you hear gunfire." Now try to picture the real West Philadelphia: A woman sits on her front stoop, watching people pass by. They smile at her, and she waves back. She opens the apartment door for her neighbor who is carrying groceries. There are only six people in her building, and she knows them all by name. That doesn't happen very often in Center City. Perhaps the most common argument against living in West Philly is the crime rate. Of course there's crime -- we're in a large city. In reality, the crime rate is comparable to that of Center City. Why doesn't it seem that way? In the past, West Philly has had trouble with crime, and it's hard to convince people that anything has improved. Years of Will Smith rapping about how he moved to Bel Air to escape bad influences hasn't helped. Recently, the situation has changed. The University City District provides safety ambassador and public-space cleaning forces to the community. Not only do the UCD's programs strengthen the community, but the initiative has provided jobs to many people formerly on welfare. No, the safety ambassadors aren't armed, but they are visible on the streets. And while they increase safety, they also provide a friendly face. Next time you see someone walking around in one of the UCD's bright yellow jackets, smile and say hello. It doesn't cost you anything, and you'll get a happy smile in return. Just as New York City had a huge campaign to bring riders back onto the subway once crime plummeted, it's time to spread the word that University City isn't what it once was. Some may claim that they know more people who have been robbed in West Philadelphia than in Center City. There are two main reasons for this. First off, Penn students tend to wander late at night and inebriated more in West Philly than they do in Center City. More crimes happen between 11 p.m. and midnight than at any other time. This is just when many college students have staggered out of one party in search of another. Secondly, the name "Penn" means money to all of Philadelphia. If a person is considering where to mug someone, Penn sounds like it would be a target clearer than Visions cookware. Penn students are perceived as rich kids with lots of Mommy and Daddy's money who aren't very responsible with it. This perception is not altogether untrue. Criminals are hesitant to tread on campus turf, where there are large numbers of witnesses. The area just beyond campus, however, is much more hospitable to criminals and yet still swarming with Penn students. Yes, we do need police in West Philly, just as we do in any urban area. However, ceaselessly complaining about West Philly without spending time here isn't fair, and no, Into the Streets doesn't count as enough time. Visit Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore on a Saturday afternoon. Shop at Thriftway on 43rd and Walnut instead of complaining about the lack of variety at expensive convenience stores on campus. Walk around and enjoy the aura of a real neighborhood. The more we interact with West Philly, the more we will break down the barrier between the University and the neighborhood. You can also help by walking in West Philly instead of always taking Penn Transit. The more people there are on the streets, the safer it will be to walk at night. Be smart. Don't put yourself in grave danger. Be careful about where you walk and be aware of your surroundings. But if you're going somewhere with a group of your friends, take the opportunity to walk. You might be surprised at how comfortable you feel. So picture it: West Philadelphia, 1998. , "Welcome to the neighborhood," his boss says. , "Glad to have you," say his professors. "Are you settling in well?" his classmates ask. A grad student has been at Penn for two years. He has decided to move to West Philly and is telling people he knows who have been there for a while. His boss, his professors and his classmates are all West Philly residents. Though the grad student has been at Penn for years, he has just now really become part of the West Philadelphia community. West Philly is a very attractive neighborhood, long known as a "garden community." There are areas which are not kept up very well, but there are also many neighborhoods with beautiful old houses and many trees. West Philly was once suburban, and many of the houses here were built for people who wanted to get away from the cramped feeling of the city. Consequently, much of West Philly is residential, filled with houses and small apartment buildings -- unlike the large, anonymous architecture of Center City. Moving off campus but staying in West Philly also provides a sense of community. Instead of overly-sterile retail and chain restaurants, these neighborhoods offer something more. The corner store that still has a sign proclaiming "Hershey's Ice Cream" has such a homey feel. Sometimes we all need a break from seeing millions of dollars poured into new luxury hotels. Go beyond the backyard and into the community itself.