Freshman government and politics major
When I tell people where I attend college, I frequently receive a similar initial reaction — their eyes widen, mouths drop and they wonder aloud, “Oh my gawd, but College Park is like, really dangerous or something, right?” I have grown accustomed to defending my belief with the same answer each time: Life in College Park can be safe if you choose to make it so. In light of the reported robberies on Jan. 27, I find it necessary to address the issue once again.
Sure, College Park is not Candy Land. Our proximity to the nation’s capital brings vibrant culture and rich opportunities as well as the gritty underbelly of urban living right to our door. As in any city or urban suburb, you must take common-sense precautions before venturing out after dark. This is not a revolutionary concept. Safeguards such as traveling in groups, leaving parties together and remaining aware of your surroundings are all practices I exercise regularly to feel safe, particularly on the weekends.
If we expect to be treated like adults in college, we must act like adults by planning for a safe night out in the city. This life skill is just as important for college students to master as any test material.
As a 5-foot-3 female, I probably don’t scare off potential attackers with my ferocious looks or bulging muscles. I don’t carry around pepper spray, crossbows or samurai swords in my backpack for protection, nor will I start anytime soon. Yet I have never felt unsafe walking around the campus or during a late night out, likely because of decisions made before, during and after leaving a party.
The solution for increased student safety is not building more blue-light phones, or, as I like to call them, “those impractical things for tour guides to point out to reassure anxious helicopter parents.” I don’t believe there is a single, end-all solution to fully eradicate crime from this area. Unfortunate incidents still do happen. On Sunday, Jan. 27, three men were reportedly able to approach and assault a student outside of a popular Route 1 restaurant, despite him standing in a usually well-lit and populated area of town.
Nonetheless, I like to remind prospective students and parents concerned with local safety that not all crime in College Park is completely unavoidable or random. I have read too many crime reports about a victim who was found alone, in an especially dangerous part of town, and absolutely hammered. I am not even remotely suggesting anyone ever asks to be the victim of senseless violence. Nor am I suggesting we should hole ourselves up in our bedrooms during the weekend. But we cannot forget students do have some power over decisions that can lead to more dangerous situations.
This university is an amazing place, and I am proud to attend school in College Park. I do not seek to bash victims found in tragic situations beyond their control. I also believe losing all sense of fear would be just as dangerous as the behaviors mentioned above. I simply hope to remove some irrational anxiety among a throng of police reports and remind people College Park can be, and is, a great place to live.
Lauren Nurse is a freshman government and politics major. She can be reached at laurennurse93@hotmail.com.
