Tulane Safety???

[deacondan16]

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I'm sure you guys have heard about the National Guard down here in New Orleans, 100 today with 60 state troopers with the number to move to 300 in the coming weeks and months. Not to mention the murders that happened Saturday morning. They keep saying it was in central city, but in reality it was just a few blocks off of St. Charles ave, basically the lower garden district. How does everyone feel about coming here? I mean I love to help with the city, but at the stage of the game is it worth the risk? Just looking for some thoughts...

 

[ricketsmd]

frequent reader, first time poster because I feel very strongly about this thread. I have had my acceptance at tulane and have been really looking forward to going there. I got off the waitlist at my second choice late last week and was going to send them a letter turning down the acceptance, but this has made me change my mind. I'm going to go to my state school. Good luck to the rest of you who want to keep going, but like the OP said, its just not worth it at this stage of the game

 

[kcernak]

I live in New Orleans.

A couple things:

As a matter of techicality, although it was only a few blocks off of St. Charles, Daneel and Josephine is still part of Central City. If you asked those residents where they live, they would say Central City. The Ashe Cultural Arts Center, which is only a couple of blocks uptown from there, is one community action council of Central City, for example.

Like I said, technicality.

New Orleans has never been a particularly safe city. Before the hurricane, I heard of a lot more crime, especially to university students. Living uptown near the undergraduate campus, I was scared to walk alone at night because you heard people getting mugged relatively regularly. I stopped being scared after the hurricane because crime went down dramatically, but now it is going back up, of course, so I'm more cautious now. But this brings up the question: why would you have ever chosen New Orleans, given the crime statistics? Why would you choose to live in any other dangerous city for that matter?

With New Orleans, for me, it has always been a question of spirit and of soul. It sounds lame, but they say that New Orleans enters your blood and stays there: and it does. I can understand why someone who does not have a connection to this city, though, would be incredibly hesitant and I respect anyone's decision to come to New Orleans, or, conversely, not come.

As for the National Guard: I suppose we could debate this, but it is my impression that the national guard are here to stop crime, but also stop the negative impression that perhaps the rest of the country would create about New Orleans post-hurricane. Certainly, news stories of shootings, murders, whatever the case is can only hurt a city. ESPECIALLY a city that the very existance of is being debated on a regular basis. I believe that the national guard is, of course, partly to keep crime down (which has gone up, but is around pre-katrina levels) but also partly to keep the image up that New Orleanians are trying to have their city grow into something better than before.

So, we're still here. And I would seriously consider safety as an issue when considering Tulane, but I would also seriously consider what you would gain by coming to New Orleans. Which is to say, a whole, whole lot.

 

[thes_hunter]

You also have to understand the New Orleans is a very economically diverse city. A nice way of saying that the 'bad' neighborhoods are just blocks away from million dollar homes.

Literally, I would drive or walk down Prytannia one street riverside of St. Charles every day and feel safe. However I did not always feel comfortable driving down Baronne 2 streets lakeside of St. Charles. I would never think of walking down Baronne anywhere close to the garden district. So a 3 block difference was all it took for me to feel safe or not safe.


Though I have had to come back up to Michigan for a few weeks while I decide whether I go to Tulane or Cincinnati for fall, these mixed neighborhoods is why I offered to help people look for apartments. Maybe you guys can find someone who is living there now to go and check out neighborhoods for you before you come down and look at places.

 

[southerncomfort]

A link to the local CBS affiliate's website for a story on the State Troopers and National Guard coming in--
http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl062006khnatguard.a4842531.html

Some highlights from the story--these backups were requested weeks/months ago, and are not in response to the shootings over the weekend. They were requested so that the Guard can patrol the more unpopulated areas (neighborhoods that flooded and are still being repaired) of the city where looting is such a problem. State Police will be downtown. This frees up NOPD to concentrate on the more populated areas, step up patrols, and focus on nipping the returning criminal element in the bud.

 

[pokeytu]

After living in New Orleans for 4 years you realize that it is just like any other major city, it has its good parts and it has its bad parts. You learn what areas are safe and which aren't. So maybe you are a little more likely to get drunk and wander into the wrong area, happens quite a lot, but from what I have heard from people still down there is that there is that they don't feel unsafe in the city.

 

[Triggity02]

i'm going to assume that last night, there were murders and/or violent crimes committed in NYC, Boston, DC, Philly, and Detroit.
at your age, you should have some sense as to what parts of town to avoid and at what times. if you fear for your safety, then you have no business going to schools in any urban city. i don't mean to sound harsh, and by no means am i saying that safety shouldn't be a concern, but NOLA is like most other urban cities and that's why the med school can thrive.
if you based your med school decision solely on these events, it's pretty weak and as such, tulane probably would not be the best choice for you.

 

[notdeadyet]

Would you feel safer in DC?

 

[Centinel]

i'm going to assume that last night, there were murders and/or violent crimes committed in NYC, Boston, DC, Philly, and Detroit.

That makes sense, especially in NYC (population 8,140,000 ) and Philly (population 1,517,550 ). The New Orleans population is currently estimated at 200,000 . Thus it is probably true, but trivially so, that there were more crimes committed in the (much larger) cities that you named. There were 17 killings in New Orleans in the first three months of 2006, but 36 since April began . That's two killings every three days.

New York City has a homicide rate of 7.3 per 100,000 persons per year. Thus, about 49 people are killed in New York City each month. Over the last month and a half, about 75 people have been killed in New York City, and 36 in New Orleans. But New Orleans is one forteith the size of New York City.

Thus, as things stand, the homicide rate of New Orleans is about 20 times greater than the homicide rate of New York City.

 

[ColbyGuy]

One other thing to keep in mind- the economic diversity in new orleans that leads to a lot of the crime and saftey issues is also what makes it a special place to learn medicine. The unique patient population, high instance of trauma, and lifestyles of many residents give medical students exposure to sides of medince that some students attending more rural schools may not exp. Nola is def an adventure but for those up the the challenge I think it is well worth it and could pay off come match time.

 

[TypeA]

Would you rather go/feel safer attending VCU/MCV?

 

[TheMightyAngus]

Would you feel safer in DC?

DC, or any other city in the US, isn't asking for help from the national guard.

 

[Vizsla]

Would you feel safer in DC?

Have you visited schools in DC??? other than Howard, both GW and Gtown are in great areas so try not to automatically assume that all of DC = crime hotspot

 

[Triggity02]

i appreciate the murder rate stats re: DC and NYC.
i'd also like to add that NYC and DC are far greater terrorist targets than nola. no one wants to nuke our sh*tty city, that's for damn sure! we've already been levelled once.
if safety is really a concern, home school yourself in a bunker in Wyoming with a couple text books and farmer john's cadaver, and quit whining about the crime in nola.

 

[KAI1927]

I am at Tulane right now doing MPH before school starts. The crime before Katrina was high, it is much better now, but there are alot less people. The people killed were not innocent bystanders eating beignets, the police reports have cited drug/gang activity for the reccent murders. NOLA is like any other city, if you're in a bad part of town, at the middle of the night, doing sketchy things, you might be in trouble. Don't let these events deter you from coming down here, if you have common sense, you'll be as safe as any where else.

 

[ricketsmd]

I'm not whining about the crime. all I'm saying is, like someone else said, sure DC, Phily, Detroit may have crime, but they are certainly not sending hundreds of national guardsmen there to help fix the problem. the police in those cities are able to somewhat control the problem. the fact of the matter is that the crime rate in new orleans since april is higher than its ever been in previous years and the police here are too incompetent to control it.

 

[deacondan16]

Well that generated a lot of response. I pretty much agree with everyone that if you stay in okay areas you'll be fine, but I live at 1205 St. Charles, which is supposed to be a nice/safe builiding and this shooting was only about 8 blocks away. Also I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the daiquiri shop on St. Charles, but that place is dicey too. I was walking back from Voodoo BBQ the other night and six guys were against the wall of the place being arrested by police, surrounded by three cop cars. I mean, I would like to consider St Chas a safe area, but I've had multiple locals tell me that that place is the #1 heroin distribution center in the city. If that doesn't bring on the possibility of crime and murder I don't know what does. The fact of the matter is that yes New Orleans was and still is a dangerous city in certain parts and Hurricane Katrina changed the boundaries of those parts

 

[nellinola]

DC, or any other city in the US, isn't asking for help from the national guard.

If you can't understand why anyone would be drawn to new orleans and why people are willing not to give up on the city now, then you will never appreciate what makes new orleans the most soulful and cherished city in the country, and so simply stay away. Don't come to New Orleans simply to experience what you assume makes up this city - Bourbon st and voodoo. What make the city special goes beyond economy and class issues and stereotypes. I u are unwilling to look past such issues, stay in your starbucks/applebee's ridden, walmart infested suburban sprawl metropolis.

 

[nellinola]

Well that generated a lot of response. I pretty much agree with everyone that if you stay in okay areas you'll be fine, but I live at 1205 St. Charles, which is supposed to be a nice/safe builiding and this shooting was only about 8 blocks away. Also I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the daiquiri shop on St. Charles, but that place is dicey too. I was walking back from Voodoo BBQ the other night and six guys were against the wall of the place being arrested by police, surrounded by three cop cars. I mean, I would like to consider St Chas a safe area, but I've had multiple locals tell me that that place is the #1 heroin distribution center in the city. If that doesn't bring on the possibility of crime and murder I don't know what does. The fact of the matter is that yes New Orleans was and still is a dangerous city in certain parts and Hurricane Katrina changed the boundaries of those parts

being that u currently live in nola you should have realized that the city is THE most integrated city in the us. the urban underbelly is and will always be interspersed w/ affluent and middle class areas. get used to seeing such things you might learn from these harsh truths. otherwise protect your eyes by moving to a city that sugar coats these occurences by keeping them safely tucked away from the eyes of unsuspecting white middle upperclass suburban soccer moms!!

 

[browniegirl86]

being that u currently live in nola you should have realized that the city is THE most integrated city in the us. the urban underbelly is and will always be interspersed w/ affluent and middle class areas. get used to seeing such things you might learn from these harsh truths. otherwise protect your eyes by moving to a city that sugar coats these occurences by keeping them safely tucked away from the eyes of unsuspecting white middle upperclass suburban soccer moms!!

I understand that you're defending your city, and what you're saying is definitely true. New Orleans is a special place, with culture and history like nowhere else in the U.S. However, you also have to realize that New Orleans is not for everyone. I personally just didn't fit there and left after a year at Tulane.

The OP's question was purely about safety. I'll back up previous posters who said that crime was bad enough pre-Katrina. New Orleans is not the safest place, but you can protect yourself by being smart, vigilant, and knowledgeable about where you are and what's near you. That said, if you don't want to deal with such concerns, NOLA may not be the place for you. It's all about figuring out what's most important to you in a location, and everybody is different with regards to what they want out of the place they live.

 

[southerncomfort]

Well that generated a lot of response. I pretty much agree with everyone that if you stay in okay areas you'll be fine, but I live at 1205 St. Charles, which is supposed to be a nice/safe builiding and this shooting was only about 8 blocks away. Also I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the daiquiri shop on St. Charles, but that place is dicey too. I was walking back from Voodoo BBQ the other night and six guys were against the wall of the place being arrested by police, surrounded by three cop cars. I mean, I would like to consider St Chas a safe area, but I've had multiple locals tell me that that place is the #1 heroin distribution center in the city. If that doesn't bring on the possibility of crime and murder I don't know what does. The fact of the matter is that yes New Orleans was and still is a dangerous city in certain parts and Hurricane Katrina changed the boundaries of those parts

As people have pointed out, it's a checkerboard city as far as "safe" and "not safe". I wouldn't say that the storm changed those boundaries either. St. Charles meanders through "super-nice" neighborhoods, where one wouldn't be afraid to walk at night, right on through "dicey" into downtown. The section you refer to, I would not feel comfortable walking alone at night (pretty much anything down from Jackson Ave. I wouldn't). Of course, I wouldn't feel safe walking alone at night through many parts of San Francisco, Chicago, or Milwaukee.

I think a lot of people come from out of town and become entranced by this bohemian, artsy sense of the place (think the Marigny, Magazine, etc.). While that's true during daylight hours, it's a different beast at night. Just like most American cities.

As far as murder rate vs. city size, remember, of those 200,000 people who have returned, a very few are of the thug variety and they are trying to re-establish their thug domains. Check out the circumstances of most of these crimes. Common denominators = drugs+thugs. The teenagers murdered over the weekend weren't your All-American kids shooting some hoops in the driveway when gunned down--they were cruising in a SUV at 4 am (did your parents let you cruise at 4 am at 16?), and a few had been implicated as the gunmen in a drive-by shooting in Jefferson Parish the week before. Did they deserve to die? No. But they were dancing with the snake of death and violence, and the snake bit back.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Would you feel safer in DC?

Yes.

 

[sentry]

Like previous posters said, these kind of things are unfortunately not all that rare in big cities. Also, just because you're going to a smaller town don't assume that these kind of things never happen. If you're going to be afraid in NO, then don't go -- but you shouldn't be

 

[notdeadyet]

I u are unwilling to look past such issues, stay in your starbucks/applebee's ridden, walmart infested suburban sprawl metropolis.

If the city planners are having their way and things are going the direction they're looking to go, sadly NO will have a chain-infested metropolis on their hands in no time.

 

[notdeadyet]

Have you visited schools in DC??? other than Howard, both GW and Gtown are in great areas so try not to automatically assume that all of DC = crime hotspot

I was talking about cities, not neighborhoods. DC has good parts of town. Like all cities. Overall, I just found DC to be an undesirable city to live in.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

If you look at the west side of DC, it's actually a very nice place to live. I lived there for two years and it is one of the few large cities I would consider spending any extended time living in.

 

[thes_hunter]

Well that generated a lot of response. I pretty much agree with everyone that if you stay in okay areas you'll be fine, but I live at 1205 St. Charles, which is supposed to be a nice/safe builiding and this shooting was only about 8 blocks away. Also I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the daiquiri shop on St. Charles, but that place is dicey too. I was walking back from Voodoo BBQ the other night and six guys were against the wall of the place being arrested by police, surrounded by three cop cars. I mean, I would like to consider St Chas a safe area, but I've had multiple locals tell me that that place is the #1 heroin distribution center in the city. If that doesn't bring on the possibility of crime and murder I don't know what does. The fact of the matter is that yes New Orleans was and still is a dangerous city in certain parts and Hurricane Katrina changed the boundaries of those parts

But dude, you have one of the crappist neighborhoods just north of you on MLK. Have you ever gone up MLK to Simon Blivior? This neighborhood gives me the heeby-jeebies.

And yeah.... Though I was not in town before Katrina, I noticed over the last few months more and more creepy looking guys just standing around looking for 'something to do'.

I used to live near the Latter Library by Jefferson and St. Charles. And sometimes I would sit out on the steps late at night 'borrowing' the neighbors wifi. Sometimes creepy people would come through the neighborhood, but because I knew the area was well patroled by NOPP I felt fairly safe.

So I guess my point is, even though Danneel and Josephine (where the shootings occured over the weekend) is just a bit from you, I wouldn't necessarily worry about it on your block of St. Charles. Be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts and you should be fine. But maybe I say that because I'm all jealous you got a place on a parade route.

 

[2tall]

Everyone who's concerned ask yourself these helpful questions...

Am in a gang?
Do I sell drugs?
Do I purchase drugs?
Do I surround myself with gang or drug activity?

If your answers to the above are NO...then the likelihood of you being shot is highly improbable.

God Bless

 

[KAI1927]

Everyone who's concerned ask yourself these helpful questions...

Are am in a gang?
Do I sell drugs?
Do I purchase drugs?
Do I surround myself with gang or drug activity?

If your answers to the above are NO...then the likelihood of you being shot is highly improbable.

God Bless

Amen to that

 

[LaDoctorFutura]

Let me preface this by saying I lived in New Orleans for 4 years for college:

please, people, understand that New Orleans is a generally safe city for people who stay generally safe. If you go to school and carry on a "normal" exitence, you should not be too worried about being targetted. Like said earlier, those killed Saterday and earlier, were not innocent bystanders enjoying the New Orleans culture. They were involved in less-than scholarly activities. Please don't throw in your acceptance in fear. You should not have fear if you are conscious of where you are and who you are with. I'm in Houston right now, and you know crime stats escalated like crazy since New Orleans' residents arrival (even to my cousin: stolen car), but I have yet to feel fear personally. You will never be 100% safe. You can go here or there, and your luck will have its way. Just don't discount New Orleans based on this. The emphasis is only due to the backlash from Katrina. You should be safe.

 

[LaDoctorFutura]

Everyone who's concerned ask yourself these helpful questions...

Am in a gang?
Do I sell drugs?
Do I purchase drugs?
Do I surround myself with gang or drug activity?

If your answers to the above are NO...then the likelihood of you being shot is highly improbable.

God Bless

👍

 

[AngryBaby]

i'm going to assume that last night, there were murders and/or violent crimes committed in NYC, Boston, DC, Philly, and Detroit.
at your age, you should have some sense as to what parts of town to avoid and at what times. if you fear for your safety, then you have no business going to schools in any urban city. i don't mean to sound harsh, and by no means am i saying that safety shouldn't be a concern, but NOLA is like most other urban cities and that's why the med school can thrive.
if you based your med school decision solely on these events, it's pretty weak and as such, tulane probably would not be the best choice for you.

I disagree pretty strongly with this post. I do agree that all urban cities have some problems, however New Orleans was/is excessive (look up the crime statistics). They had the highest crime and violent crime (rapes, murders, etc) per capita of any major US city. I went to college in Northeast Philly at La Salle University. Northeast Philly is a fairly rough area but if you're smart about where/when/how you go you're OK. New Orleans is a whole other cup of tea. I was going to the SMP Pharmacology pgm in August until Katrina hit and was uncomfortable. That city was/is pretty bad. However there are good areas and it's not all bad, just, like a prev. poster said, the really bad areas are 2 blocks away from the really good ones.

All that being said, I would have gone back after the hurricane if I were single but as a husband and father of a 2 yr. old I got out of the program and never looked back. Not a place for the family (public schools ranked last in the nation as well).

 

[AngryBaby]

Everyone who's concerned ask yourself these helpful questions...

Am in a gang?
Do I sell drugs?
Do I purchase drugs?
Do I surround myself with gang or drug activity?

If your answers to the above are NO...then the likelihood of you being shot is highly improbable.

God Bless

I think simply living in New Orleans pretty much covers that one (did I mention I heard a drug deal going down while driving on Canal, in broad daylight, from half a block away ! Seriously. Obviously not too concerned about cops or anyone hearing them, and Canal's a good part)

 

[contulusa]

I am a native New Orleanian and let me just say what happened over the weekend is not a random crime that many of you on these boards assume. First of all the crime occured at 4 A.M. Secondly, it occured in Central City...any person who lived in New Orleans knows that you don't travel through Central City at 4 in the morning.

Thirdly, Yes I want National Guard troops in New Orleans. For God's Sake New Orleans was hit by the worst National Disaster in this country's history. Over 80% of the Police Officers in New Orleans lost their homes. The police force is down 300 men and women compared to before the storm. There is no possible way that NOPD can stop looters in the East and stop crime all over the city. In addition to the National Guard 60 State Troopers are going to be here. I am sure with that show of force it will lead to reductions in crime.

As for no other city not having National Guard...post 9/11 almost every large city in America had National Guard in Airports. In D.C. you had every federal agency patrolling and still have a slew of Federal agents protecting subways and landmarks. You have to. That is the nature of the beast. It would be stupid not to bring in extra police in a time like this. Much of New Orleans is still rebuilding and those individuals need extra security so Chief Reilly asked for more officers. That is no big deal. During the Super Bowl Secret Service is called in. Does that mean that a city is unsafe? No all that means is that increase protection is warranted that local officers are not equipped to handle. In the same breath, NOPD is not equipped to handle a natural disaster...no city in America is.

With all that being said, I majored in Criminal Justice in Undergrad. Before ppl start making wild conjectures about crime and the chances that it will happen to you...you need to understand that the vast majority (close to 90% is committed against individuals that murders know). Secondly, crime is not like the plague which just moves through the city. Specific criminals target specific individuals on a preconceived framework. For example, a criminal who lives in a housing project will not travel to the suburbs and rob a Million dollar home. It doesn't work that way. Criminals have framework they work in. They don't feel comfortable in that environment. Their rational calculus tells them that they "have a greater chance of being caught."

As for the criminals that killed the 5 teenagers in New Orleans...I guarantee you that was not a random murder. Multiple murders almost always exclusively happen between parents committing a murder suicide.

As for students not wanting to matriculate at Tulane "for safety" reasons I feel sorry for them. They are going to miss out on the greatest medical experience in our lifetimes. Especially saying that Tulane Hospital is seeing the majority of patients Downtown. You could have that experience but you won't because you probably majored in some science major and never learned that the chances of you being murdered in New Orleans is the same chance that you would be murdered at any other school located in an urban area. Throw statistics out the window. The crime rate does not matter if it does not happen to you. Where the vast majority of murders occur in New Orleans does not apply to you. (When is the last time you heard of a murder in the French Quarter??) Go somewhere that you believe will make you the best doctor.

 

[2tall]

I think simply living in New Orleans pretty much covers that one (did I mention I heard a drug deal going down while driving on Canal, in broad daylight, from half a block away ! Seriously. Obviously not too concerned about cops or anyone hearing them, and Canal's a good part)

Canal's a good part?

When you witnessed this criminal activity I'm sure you used your common sense. Did get out of your car to perform a citizens arrest? Unlikely. Did you drive away and report this event to a 911 operator? Did you think to yourself now I know where to go the next time I need my fix?

Since you seem up on New Orleans crime statistics...who comprised those murdered over the past five years?

Gang members
Druggies (haha...I sound like my grandmother)
Medical students
Tourists
??????

If I were a gang member under the age of 20, I'd feel rather uneasy.

New Orleans medical schools, hospitals, etc. are not in the "safe" of areas. It's the "inner" city. What does inner city mean? Who coined that term? Anyway...as with any major city, there are certain precautions you want to take.

I don't watch the news. I'm not led by fear. Maybe you prosper wherever you choose to go.

Peace

 

[AngryBaby]

Canal's a good part?

When you witnessed this criminal activity I'm sure you used your common sense. Did get out of your car to perform a citizens arrest? Unlikely. Did you drive away and report this event to a 911 operator? Did you think to yourself now I know where to go the next time I need my fix?

Since you seem up on New Orleans crime statistics...who comprised those murdered over the past five years?

Gang members
Druggies (haha...I sound like my grandmother)
Medical students
Tourists
??????

If I were a gang member under the age of 20, I'd feel rather uneasy.

New Orleans medical schools, hospitals, etc. are not in the "safe" of areas. It's the "inner" city. What does inner city mean? Who coined that term? Anyway...as with any major city, there are certain precautions you want to take.

I don't watch the news. I'm not led by fear. Maybe you prosper wherever you choose to go.

Peace

I don't quite understand that first part of your post...I'm not in the habit of taking down drug dealers single-handed if that's what you mean. Not that I couldn't have, I'm extremely masculine as my wife would tell you. Anyway...

Secondly, yeah I would call Canal a good part. It was in the CBD so we're not talking New Orleans East or anything. Also a bit lost with the "I don't watch the news. I'm not led by fear," thing. I'm just saying what I saw and experienced when I was down there. Wouldn't have been fun for me if I was single and no chance I was moving my family down there once I had an out. Again, not trying to bash New Orleans for the sake of bashing it, just what I saw and heard. People down there were pretty rude, too. Tulane's got a heckuva reputation though, excellent school, and the clinical rotations may be very interesting now (if there's anyone there, maybe more of a public health interest).

 

[rcwhite007]

I have lived in NO for all my life. It is not like any city I have ever visited. Yes, it is the dirty' south and things can get a little hectic. You don't have to look over your shoulder where ever you go. It has its bad areas, like any other city and most of the murders and homicides are drug on drug related. This should not stop you from attending. Just my thoughts.

 

[pokeytu]

Notice the only people who talk about new orleans not being safe are the people who have never lived in nola.

 

[BOBODR]

Never been to New Orleans, but TIME magazine from a couple of weeks ago had a large article about NO and its problems. What just happened is nothing new. The town has been crime ridden for a long time. Please don't tell me NO is a place of diversity and culture (I am sure it is) because its also a place with more drug, gang violence, murders, etc than other comparable cities. Every city has diversity and culture, and every has its problems. BUT NO has a much larger crime problem than those comparable cities. The problem isn't new, its just now the general Americal public is hearing about it so its perceived as a new problem. NO just has this corrupt aura steaming from it. Read TIME, 93 % of arrests don't lead to jail time. People arrested for semi automatics, pounds of heroin, etc go free by judges all the time. Its sad but unless TIME, government stats, and newspapers are all liars, well then its true. NYC was like that 15 years ago but then they started arresting everybody even those who were homeless for loitering, zoning the city, and economic development. Now Manahattan is a great place to visit, walk around with your family. Yes there is still crime but alot less comparatively then a place like NO.

Still the experience you will get in NO with community service, clinical experience etc will make it an amazing educational opportunity. I chose Cinci over NYMC in valhalla which is def not a step up in terms of safety.

Some stats though to show contrary to what is being said NO is def dangerous.

http://www.morganquitno.com/met04r.pdf

 

[pokeytu]

So if you want to go by the list then you also shouldn't consider going to med school at the university of mississippi cause jacksonville is 3rd on the list and columbus, GA is also in the top 10.

To repeat what has been said before, the majority of the crime occurs in specific areas that any Tulane student would have no business being in unless they are looking for trouble. If you have concerns try spending any amount of time with someone in the city and judge it for yourself, but when everyone who lives there says they feel safe it doesn't make too much sense for people who haven't even been to the city to continue telling everyone how unsafe it is.

 

[BOBODR]

So if you want to go by the list then you also shouldn't consider going to med school at the university of mississippi cause jacksonville is 3rd on the list and columbus, GA is also in the top 10.

To repeat what has been said before, the majority of the crime occurs in specific areas that any Tulane student would have no business being in unless they are looking for trouble. If you have concerns try spending any amount of time with someone in the city and judge it for yourself, but when everyone who lives there says they feel safe it doesn't make too much sense for people who haven't even been to the city to continue telling everyone how unsafe it is.

First off - I never said someone shouldnt go there for med school, I even said there are great opportunities there. Please read my post before saying I said someone shouldnt consider it for med school.

Second off - I dont need to go there to see that thee crime rate in NO is astronomical. There is no "invisible barrier" that prevents bad things from happening to good people like you seem to pretend. Yes, this could happen in any city, but a city such as NO with a much more prevalent rate means it is more likely to happen to good people. If not, then there would be no reason to look at crime rates as people in every city could just avoid "the bad areas" and be perfectly fine. Unfortunately its not the case. Also according to the list there is a huge drop off after NO, and then the next couple. Its not exactly close to most other cities according to the stats.

Third off - This is my last post on this matter. I dont want to seem like I am slamming NO as I am not. But to say its not dangerous just doesnt jive with the statistics. Bad areas in cities are always going to have most of the crime. Good luck to everyone considering tulane and there. 👍

 

[kcernak]

But dude, you have one of the crappist neighborhoods just north of you on MLK. Have you ever gone up MLK to Simon Blivior? This neighborhood gives me the heeby-jeebies.

And yeah.... Though I was not in town before Katrina, I noticed over the last few months more and more creepy looking guys just standing around looking for 'something to do'.

I used to live near the Latter Library by Jefferson and St. Charles. And sometimes I would sit out on the steps late at night 'borrowing' the neighbors wifi. Sometimes creepy people would come through the neighborhood, but because I knew the area was well patroled by NOPP I felt fairly safe.

So I guess my point is, even though Danneel and Josephine (where the shootings occured over the weekend) is just a bit from you, I wouldn't necessarily worry about it on your block of St. Charles. Be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts and you should be fine. But maybe I say that because I'm all jealous you got a place on a parade route.

Call me crazy, but I've never felt too sketched out by that area. I guess i AM crazy, since Central City is where the majority of shootings have occurred, but I frequent Cafe Rec and I always ride my bike from uptown to the School of Public Health down Simon Bolivar. I wonder how many squatters are in the CJ Pete projects? Now those things sketch me out, since they are abandoned but you can see lights on at night sometimes. Same with Calliope Projects. Thats some freaky stuff.

 

[kcernak]

Secondly, yeah I would call Canal a good part. It was in the CBD so we're not talking New Orleans East or anything. .

I am not sure you've ever been to NO East

 

[jetproppilot]

I'm sure you guys have heard about the National Guard down here in New Orleans, 100 today with 60 state troopers with the number to move to 300 in the coming weeks and months. Not to mention the murders that happened Saturday morning. They keep saying it was in central city, but in reality it was just a few blocks off of St. Charles ave, basically the lower garden district. How does everyone feel about coming here? I mean I love to help with the city, but at the stage of the game is it worth the risk? Just looking for some thoughts...

I live and practice in New Orleans. I practice in a competitive specialty in that I could close my eyes, let my index finger drop randomly on a US city, and find a great job.

My wife is from here.

Thats the ONLY reason I live in this backward, politically crooked, crimeridden, dirty, hurricane damaged, dangerous, racist-problem-ridden, long-lines-at-restaurants, inflated-prices-of-subs-rebuilding-homes

"city".

 

[jetproppilot]

(When is the last time you heard of a murder in the French Quarter??)

1)The dude bludgeoned by bouncers at a French Quarter bar

2)Elderly radiologist bludgeoned by a young dude at a popular French Quarter restaurant

Should I continue?

I empathize with your sentimental attraction to your home city.

I hear it from my wife every day.

I live here.

In the city you so affectionately describe.

And I long for the day my wife sees the light so we can raise our children in a cleaner, safer place.

 

[morganlefay]

This thread is really strange... just because there was a major disaster doesn't mean NOLA is no longer safe. Certain parts of Chicago, NY, Philly, and DC, even Atlanta are equally as unsafe as certain parts of N.O. Tulane's in a gorgeous area and unless you are dumb and hang out on Bourbon St. at 2am then you should be fine. I'm moving to NOLA this Aug. to start a Masters in Cell Bio and definitely look forward to living in 'my' adopted city! Believe me, if it were that bad people wouldn't come back and I most certainly wouldn't be going!

 

[2tall]

New Orleans
Houston
Miami
Atlanta
St. Louis
Birmingham
Memphis

The only reason I'm still responding to this thread is because I could've sworn I had more than 2,000 posts. 🙄

Please observe the Violent Crime Rate Per Capita. In New Orleans, the only statistic that is very disturbing is the murder rate which is attributable to gang wars.

SAY NO TO DRUGS 👎

As you can see for yourself, in New Orleans All Violent Crime is higher than the national average (you'll notice the same for the other cities).

Please note that All Violent Crime per capita is lower than the other cities listed above. 😱

 

[Samoa]

About New Orleans being dangerous:

1. If you go looking for trouble here, you'll definitely find it.
2. If you're not paying attention to your own safety, it may find you.
3. If you go places with a group of people, and none of you are gang members or drug users, you are very unlikely to be the victim of a violent crime.
4. If you go alone at night only to well-lit places that you know are safe, you are also very unlikely to be the victim of a violent crime.
5. If you check the crime statistics for a neighborhood before you sign a lease, and avoid places with lots of non-violent crime, you are very unlikely to be a victim of non-violent crime either.

Having said that, I have to say also that I did #5, and still my apartment has been burglarized twice. Once before the storm on one of my call nights, and once afterward while the neighborhood was relatively unpopulated. I'm pretty certain I was targeted for the first one, because they broke in and only ransacked the place, and the second one was probably an inside job by someone who had a key. (yes, I was dumb enough not to change the locks at any point while I've lived here, a mistake I've since remedied.)

Aside from these two episodes, crime of any sort is virtually unheard of in my neighborhood, and for at least 10 blocks in any direction. And of course, now I have a NOPD officer living in the other half of my duplex, so it would be pretty foolish to target me again.

 

[notdeadyet]

This thread has turned in to a real kick.

If you are worried about going to college in a place where there is crime and violence and racial tensions, avoid New Orleans. In fact, we could start a long list of schools to avoid. Many med schools in many cities are located conveniently close to public hospitals, which tend to be in or near nasty parts of town.

If you are overly worried about crime (and this isn't me passing judgement, you're certainly entitled), there are lots of good med schools located in rural or suburuban areas. If you do not live in an urban environment, and the idea of doing so bothers you, it'll bother you a lot more once you start. True for New Orleans, true for USC, true for many med schools.

 

[MossPoh]

That makes sense, especially in NYC (population 8,140,000 ) and Philly (population 1,517,550 ). The New Orleans population is currently estimated at 200,000 . Thus it is probably true, but trivially so, that there were more crimes committed in the (much larger) cities that you named. There were 17 killings in New Orleans in the first three months of 2006, but 36 since April began . That's two killings every three days.

New York City has a homicide rate of 7.3 per 100,000 persons per year. Thus, about 49 people are killed in New York City each month. Over the last month and a half, about 75 people have been killed in New York City, and 36 in New Orleans. But New Orleans is one forteith the size of New York City.

Thus, as things stand, the homicide rate of New Orleans is about 20 times greater than the homicide rate of New York City.

I am surprised NYC is only 8 million..I guess i still baffles me how my friend's town (Sao Paulo in brazil) is over 16 million. Anyway...doesn't really deter me. New Orleans has had particulary bad crime for quite some time...but only bad if you are stupid. I've had the moments where because I was at the time a 6'5" 255 lbs powerlifter I felt invinceable and would walk anywhere even when drunk...I have fortuently gotten a little wiser. Don't get so intoxicated that you struggle to get home, don't flash money all the time, just don't hangout in areas where bad things happen.... I plan on still applying to Tulane. It was my dad's undergrad institution, but mainly I loved the city before and I don't see a reason why I wouldn't want to help make it what it was again....Bad stuff happens everywhere...