ALBANY–Violence and crime in the Albany, NY area is an ever-growing issue, especially in the downtown “student ghetto” where a majority of SUNY Albany students live. Every single day there is some form of violence committed–whether it is a house or car robbery …even an attack or murder.
Surprisingly, students are in many ways not anxious about the threat of this violence. An overwhelming number of students choose to live downtown in the notoriously dangerous area. Even those who have been victims of violence continue living there despite their experiences.
According to “statestats.com” Albany is one of the top ten most dangerous cities in America. And according to “neighborhoodscout.com” Albany’s crime index is only 6% (meaning, it is only safer than 6% of all other cities in the U.S.). In the past few years violence and crime have remained prevalent in the downtown area.
One SUNY Albany senior, Jared Smith, stated, “I don’t think it’s fair that we live in such an unsafe neighborhood. UAlbany should hire more cops to patrol the “big streets” like Hamilton, Hudson, Western, and Ontario.
students on HUDSON STREET last spring
Smith, a UAlbany student who currently resides on Hamilton Street explains his recent incident with violence: “People used a glass cutter to cut out our kitchen window. Once in the house they kicked all four doors in and took whatever they could. No one was harmed. ”
Smith continued, “If someone wants to rob a house they are going to do it no matter what. ”
Due to the crime in the downtown area, the Albany City Police Department, set up the “Operation Safe Corridor Steering Committee”, which according to the them has already made progress in helping the in the “Pine Hills area” become safer.
The University Police Department (UPD) makes sure that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights there are extra uniformed patrols are in the area. Also, video surveillance cameras have been set-up to monitor pedestrian traffic.
The UPD website explains, “Residents are encouraged to walk on the designated Operation Safe Corridor streets rather than side alleys or other less traveled streets. The streets are as follows: Western Avenue – from Main Street to Quail Street; Quail Street – from Western Avenue to Central Avenue; and Ontario Street – from Western Avenue to Yates Street. ”
Basically, it is up to the students themselves to be aware of the risk of violence and to take every saftey percaution possible not to become a victim. UAlbany Senior, Marisa Tartaglia stated, “I honestly don’t feel safe living downtown but there have been several occasions where we left our door unlocked. One time I even left the keys in the door… and nothing happened.”
Some students may not realize how much of a risk they put themselves in by not being as safe as possible at all times, or by drinking and walking around downtown.
Inspector Aaron Mull, of the New York University at Albany Police Department, points out: “One of the most basic ways to stay safe is to be aware of your surroundings. If you are drunk, you can’t be as aware….don’t get drunk!”
Mull continues, “Every student, particularly if they are going to drink, needs to be conscious of their own security. It’s the 70, 20 ,30 rule: 70% of people are assaulted by themselves, 20% are assaulted when with one other person, and groups of three or make up only 30 % of attacks.The majority of offenses are gangs related or sports fans against eacother.”
Another SUNY Albany student, and a victim of violence, Natalie Chicone stated, “I never felt that unsafe but since the attack there have been times when I won’t want to do things unless I am with a bigger group.”
The attack Chicone is referring to occured last spring when she was walking downtown at night from the popular bar “Micheals” with a friend near Madison Avenue. A man ran up behind them and showed them his gun. He stole one of their purses and ran away. Chicone stated, “After it happened I felt like it wasn’t real.”
According to Inspector Mull, “The important point is that when you are involved,[crime] is no longer a statistic… it’s an invidviual experience.”
The University Police Department are making efforts to keep students safe who are living downtown yet, those living on campus are ” Seven times less likely to be a victim of crime,” stated Insepctor Mull. The problem is that living on campus comes with a much high price tag–an apartment on campus in Empire Commons could cost around $800 a month, while downtown rent is around $300.
Living downtown may be a choice students make due to financial reasons, or because they want to live near their friends. Either way, Inspector Mull wants encourages students to remember three main saftey tips:
1. Never walk alone.
2. Always be aware of your surroundings.
3. Drinking and drug use puts you at a much high risk to be a victim.
Staying safe is a personal choice– it is up to the students to make sure they don’t become victims.
UAlbany Experience 