Safety After Hours

[aephi alum]

Wherever I am, I make sure that I give off the appearance that I belong where I am, I'm fully aware of my surroundings, and I know where I'm going. For example, I never use my iPod while on the NYC subway.

Back in college, we had the option of calling the campus police if we wanted a late-night escort to the dorms. Despite many late nights at lab, I never availed myself of the option. The biggest "threat" I ever met was a river rat.

These days, there are a few places that I won't enter alone at night. Aside from that, I find that the "I know where I am, I know where I'm going, I can kick your @$$, so don't f$&% with me" attitude keeps the bad guys away.

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by AGDee

There are areas of Detroit that I avoid at night. I figure if the police won't even go there, then I shouldn't either. And yes, there are a couple areas in Detroit where police and EMS won't go. I live in pretty safe suburbia, but have almost always worked in the city. I took some chances in some scary areas when I was younger, but it left an impression on me and I wouldn't do it again.

While I agree somewhat that when it's your time, it's your time, we don't take certain risks like jumping off of a sky scraper, jumping out of a plane without a parachute, playing Russian Roulette, etc. There's a balance there somewhere. We do tend to get a false sense of security in our own immediate environment, when it's what we're used to, because we HAVE to feel secure in our immediate environment or we wouldn't be able to function.

I give this post 5 stars.

I totally understand where you're coming from, though.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by AGDee

There are areas of Detroit that I avoid at night. I figure if the police won't even go there, then I shouldn't either. And yes, there are a couple areas in Detroit where police and EMS won't go. I live in pretty safe suburbia, but have almost always worked in the city. I took some chances in some scary areas when I was younger, but it left an impression on me and I wouldn't do it again.

While I agree somewhat that when it's your time, it's your time, we don't take certain risks like jumping off of a sky scraper, jumping out of a plane without a parachute, playing Russian Roulette, etc. There's a balance there somewhere. We do tend to get a false sense of security in our own immediate environment, when it's what we're used to, because we HAVE to feel secure in our immediate environment or we wouldn't be able to function.

Some parts of 6 mile and some parts of Cass are bad. A frat brother of mine who's a Detroit cop said some cross street (I forgot the name of it) and Gratiot are the worst. The only time I go to Detroit is for a haircut, and that's always during the day. Other than that I stay clear from that city.

ETA: I forgot with the exception of the NAIAS and to teach (CCS) too and that's only because it's related to my job.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Back in college, we had the option of calling the campus police if we wanted a late-night escort to the dorms. Despite many late nights at lab, I never availed myself of the option. The biggest "threat" I ever met was a river rat.

My college had the same thing - the oddly-named "Escort Service." Maybe it's something about the Charles River?

[Elephant Walk]

Concealed Carry.

[AOII_LB93]

I try not to hang out in sketchy areas after dark, but I think living in Europe for a while gave me a false sense of security, and I lived in Paris, but it's like people have already said, look like you have your shit together and people don't really mess with you. I came back home and went out with my friends to celebrate my 21st birthday a few months late and was getting ready to leave and said "See ya" and one of my friends said, "You're not walking to your car by yourself." I had forgotten that I shouldn't really do that.

On the other hand, I got mugged in broad daylight while in Paris, in front of my apartment by a group of 10-12 kids (12-13 year olds) and was yelling for help with people walking by, and no one did shit. So I called the cops, who were super nice, and they caught a couple of the kids and scared the crap out of them. Whenever they (the kids) saw me after that, they would cross the street or walk the other way....that's right, don't screw with me...I speak French fluently you little bastards.