South Philly Safety Map

[jgakats]

First of all, just because the less desirable/more dangerous parts of South Philly have more minorities living in them than do the more desirable/safer parts do, does not make this map racist. It is simply the way it currently is.

Secondly, crime maps are important but they only tell part of the story. First, a crime has to be reported in order to be included in those maps. Many crimes, especially nuisance issues go unreported. This map tries to take into account QOL issues (i.e. – abandoned and run down homes/businesses, vacant lots, etc.) as well as actual crime.

So maybe “safety map” isn’t the best title for this map but you can’t argue that somewhere in the red area is just as safe as somewhere in the blue area. Someone is much more likely to be mugged or witness a severe crime walking around 21st and Tasker than they are at 12th and Tasker.

Yes. Its remarkable how on the north corners of 4th and Christian there is this invisible bullet proof barrier protecting you but how if you cross to one of the corners on the south side its just like civil war in Syria. At least according to this map.

C'mon.

Of course it isn’t some kind of “bulletproof barrier” but most of the crime that occurs around these is contained within the PHA complex. Also, there is a HUGE difference between walking along Queen Street between 3rd and 5th and actually walking through the PHA complex.

Bottom line, this map was made for people who were unfamiliar with South Philly and I think it is pretty accurate in terms of highlighting which areas are more desirable and “safer” than others. For people who are familiar with South Philly, you already know which areas you like and which you don’t so you wouldn’t be using this map as a guide in the first place.

[seand]

Of course it isn’t some kind of “bulletproof barrier” but most of the crime that occurs around these is contained within the PHA complex. Also, there is a HUGE difference between walking along Queen Street between 3rd and 5th and actually walking through the PHA complex.

Umm, no there isn't. Its just not that big a project. FWIW I walk, park though the area very frequently. All day long a steady string of folks living further south walk, bike, drive down 4th without incident. Not to say there aren't some petty property crimes in the general area of the projects, but no there is absolutely no huge gigantic difference in safety at 4th and Christian and 4th and Queen.

Queen does not border the projects at all, BTW, so your geography is already off.

[ndebergerac]

Is there reasoning for due dilligence around the Asian market between 11th and 12th on Washington? (apart from having to dodge moving cars on the sidewalks that is ). Plus I think Alter deserves some blue, not sure of the crime stats on that block, but I'd imagine they are minimal given it's a very quiet dead end with only a handful of homes.

[jgakats]

Is there reasoning for due dilligence around the Asian market between 11th and 12th on Washington? (apart from having to dodge moving cars on the sidewalks that is ). Plus I think Alter deserves some blue, not sure of the crime stats on that block, but I'd imagine they are minimal given it's a very quiet dead end with only a handful of homes.

Those dead end streets off of 12th street are actually quite sketchy compared to the surrounding area, especially Peters Street. Apparently, one family that is involved in the drug trade own like half the houses on that block and there are always deals going down.

[seand]

Is there reasoning for due dilligence around the Asian market between 11th and 12th on Washington? (apart from having to dodge moving cars on the sidewalks that is ). Plus I think Alter deserves some blue, not sure of the crime stats on that block, but I'd imagine they are minimal given it's a very quiet dead end with only a handful of homes.

Its all those dangerous Lebanese people. They are you know, swarthy, and stuff.

[ndebergerac]

Apparently, one family that is involved in the drug trade own like half the houses on that block and there are always deals going down.

This Alter or Peters?

[jgakats]

This Alter or Peters?

Peters. Alter only has a few residences I think.

[OffenseTaken]

Secondly, crime maps are important but they only tell part of the story. First, a crime has to be reported in order to be included in those maps. Many crimes, especially nuisance issues go unreported. This map tries to take into account QOL issues (i.e. – abandoned and run down homes/businesses, vacant lots, etc.) as well as actual crime.

Unless the jgakats crime hotline is getting all these calls that the PPD isn't, I don't see how this makes your map more reliable than theirs.

"This street is supposed to be safe, but it looks run down, so I know there's lots more unreported crime here. I'd better mark it red." Do you really not see why your methodology is utterly crappy?

So maybe “safety map” isn’t the best title for this map but you can’t argue that somewhere in the red area is just as safe as somewhere in the blue area. Someone is much more likely to be mugged or witness a severe crime walking around 21st and Tasker than they are at 12th and Tasker.

Bottom line, this map was made for people who were unfamiliar with South Philly and I think it is pretty accurate in terms of highlighting which areas are more desirable and “safer” than others. For people who are familiar with South Philly, you already know which areas you like and which you don’t so you wouldn’t be using this map as a guide in the first place.

It seems like you wanted to make a map for your own personal use to indicate parts of South Philadelphia that you like and which ones you don't, and then you name it "Safety Map" to give it some kind of veneer of objectivity. You're way out of your depth.

[loveisnoise]

Is there any way that we can report this to google for being a racially motivated hate map?

[Jayfar]

Yes. Its remarkable how on the north corners of 4th and Christian there is this invisible bullet proof barrier protecting you but how if you cross to one of the corners on the south side its just like civil war in Syria. At least according to this map.

C'mon.

You can click on the "ratings," then click on the appropriate ratings star to rate the map. 1 star = "hated it." Currently the overall rating is 2 stars = "didn't like it."

[sharkey]

Growing up, my exposure to South Philadelphia was limited to Washington Ave., the 9th Street market, and the Sports Complex. Since moving to CC about 6 years ago, I’ve obviously had much more exposure. Driving back from Pier 70 or IKEA area toward Broad, the transition of a well kept neighborhood to a rough looking area, back to a well kept neighborhood is striking. I can’t say that I’ve seen anything change back and forth so quickly, a true pocket of decay in an otherwise nice and well kept section of the city. I think this maps shows that pretty well regardless of any other meaning or intent you want to draw from it.

The map is dead on accurate. I have read the crime reports in the S. Phila. Review every week for many years.

[2happy4u]

in "general" I also think the map is pretty accurate. If you live in one of the bad areas place a "good" dot where your house would sit, this should make you much safer and feel a bit better.

[OffenseTaken]

Is there any way that we can report this to google for being a racially motivated hate map?

[ndebergerac]

Peters. Alter only has a few residences I think.

One family certainly doesn't own half the houses on Peters. The place has some sketchy characters around and there's definitely some drug running, but very few of them reside there.

[AngelB]

Rather than another uneducated "Safety Map," I would rather see these two things for fun and shame:

1- "Shame Map"
- We start disgracing property owners that allow filth and trash to pile their sidewalks. (Hello 10th St- Snyder to Wolf... I am looking at you!)

2- "Multicultured / U.N. Map"
- We also start applauding all of our awesome blocks that have many countries represented... living in peace, in cleanliness, and in friendship. I think the last count was 10+ countries living on my block and I have a killer cool block south of Snyder. I wouldn't trade it for anything in Philly. (and I lived in OC and Fairmount at their best!)

[EdMundo]

First of all, just because the less desirable/more dangerous parts of South Philly have more minorities living in them than do the more desirable/safer parts do, does not make this map racist. It is simply the way it currently is....

To echo seand, and to be more blunt, you're a complete ass. No city, even Philadelphia, is that black and white (pun intended) I walk through the oh-so-dangerous RCA complex all the time and see tons of lily white kids walking and biking north and south on 3rd, 4th, and 5th all the time.

In fact, most of the "dangerous" areas you marked on your map are truly life-threateningly dangerous only if you're a young, black male who is dealing drugs. If you're a frightened, sensationalistic and idiotic white guy making homemade crime maps, you're probably going to be just fine.

[Baloo]

To echo seand, and to be more blunt, you're a complete ass. No city, even Philadelphia, is that black and white (pun intended) I walk through the oh-so-dangerous RCA complex all the time and see tons of lily white kids walking and biking north and south on 3rd, 4th, and 5th all the time.

In fact, most of the "dangerous" areas you marked on your map are truly life-threateningly dangerous only if you're a young, black male who is dealing drugs. If you're a frightened, sensationalistic and idiotic white guy making homemade crime maps, you're probably going to be just fine.

I challenge you to go walk up 7th street from Oregon into Center City or walk past Broad Street above Snyder and see how far you get.

That is just ignorant of the crime that does exist in these neighborhoods. You can't just walk around South Philly willy-nilly.

[Jeffers]

I challenge you to go walk up 7th street from Oregon into Center City or walk past Broad Street above Snyder and see how far you get.

That is just ignorant of the crime that does exist in these neighborhoods. You can't just walk around South Philly willy-nilly.

I walk along 7th st from Tasker up to cc, and as far south as Jackson st pretty regularly... Never had a problem.

[EdMundo]

I challenge you to go walk up 7th street from Oregon into Center City or walk past Broad Street above Snyder and see how far you get.

That is just ignorant of the crime that does exist in these neighborhoods. You can't just walk around South Philly willy-nilly.

Challenge me? See how far I get? ...Seriously?

I'm not ignorant of crime in these neighborhoods. Quite the opposite. The vast majority of violent crime in those neighborhoods revolves around drugs and gangs and the statistics are black on black. They don't give a sh*t about a white boy walking down the street. Why do you think so many formerly crappy areas of the city are being morphed into hipster hoods? Add to that the fact that non-violent crimes like robberies and burglaries are crimes of opportunity and are far more random than violent crime, and your assertion that "you can't just walk around South Philly willy-nilly" sound like completely paranoid hyperbole. There are probably more holdups in Queen Village than there are at 6th and Mifflin because crackheads generally don't sh*t in their own backyards when they're looking for quick money. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand South Philly or most any other city.

My m-in-l lives down near 5th and Oregon and I've walked all over that area and further west up to QV/BV with no problems. What, am I going to get shot by a bunch of Cambodians barbequing on the sidewalk?

You remind me of someone on this board who was complaining about having to go out of her way to get home in QV because she was afraid of "the projects" and would not turn up 5th street from Washington.

Statistically speaking, you're probably more likely to get hit by lightening or die in a car accident.

[Giavella Water]

Challenge me? See how far I get? ...Seriously?

I'm not ignorant of crime in these neighborhoods. Quite the opposite. The vast majority of violent crime in those neighborhoods revolves around drugs and gangs and the statistics are black on black. They don't give a sh*t about a white boy walking down the street. Why do you think so many formerly crappy areas of the city are being morphed into hipster hoods? Add to that the fact that non-violent crimes like robberies and burglaries are crimes of opportunity and are far more random than violent crime, and your assertion that "you can't just walk around South Philly willy-nilly" sound like completely paranoid hyperbole. There are probably more holdups in Queen Village than there are at 6th and Mifflin because crackheads generally don't sh*t in their own backyards when they're looking for quick money. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand South Philly or most any other city.

My m-in-l lives down near 5th and Oregon and I've walked all over that area and further west up to QV/BV with no problems. What, am I going to get shot by a bunch of Cambodians barbequing on the sidewalk?

You remind me of someone on this board who was complaining about having to go out of her way to get home in QV because she was afraid of "the projects" and would not turn up 5th street from Washington.

Statistically speaking, you're probably more likely to get hit by lightening or die in a car accident.

I had to chuckle as I read your post. You forgot to mention that you were looking to score some drugs in the areas you walked around in so safely in...white boy.