Is the area around Clark University safe?

Submitted by Blotofink t3_11lul13 in WorcesterMA

So, I'm starting grad school at Clark University next year, and so I've been looking for places to live (which is not easy considering I have two cats). I may have a potential place that's about a block or two away from campus. This is good in the sense that I can't drive, so it'd be easy for me to get to campus. However, I've gotten conflicting reports on how safe the area is, especially for a female. Like, I know not to do obviously dumb stuff like walk at night. Nevertheless, does anyone have any opinion or observation about the area recently?

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Sbonkers t1_jbeb0v3 wrote

Most of the immediate areas 4-5 blocks is fine because a lot of it is Clark owned or owned my property management companies. Many grad students live in the area.

Also 5 blocks in one direction is not necessarily the same as 5 blocks in the other.

Having said that, if you share a more specific address (cross streets) we can advise better.

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Blotofink OP t1_jbeh62a wrote

Sort of like Clifton/Oberlin - ish if that helps?

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Sbonkers t1_jbf34d8 wrote

You’ll be fine there. There’s a number of Clark owned buildings on those blocks. Be smart at night and you’ll be ok.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbezut6 wrote

you’ll be fine in that area.. there’s def crackheads around that side of town.. but that area is generally safe if you’re not into street activity

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nrrdylady t1_jbfq5et wrote

I lived on Clifton for a little over a year some time ago. You can see the “blue light” Clark has (immediate line to campus police for dangerous situations). As a petite blonde woman, I never felt truly unsafe in my apartment. Leave your doors locked (even when your home, I had a few stragglers walk into my apartment in the summertime that we’re looking for other people in the triple decker). Keep your head low & you’ll be fine.

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Sangy101 t1_jbfpaki wrote

I lived on Clifton for 4 years when the area was way less safe than it is now.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbejnvf wrote

Oof no... Oberlin is shit. One of the worse streets in the immediate area that isn't Main South itself.

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Blotofink OP t1_jbelic9 wrote

oh noooo. That's unfortunate.

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Climboy55 t1_jbepqa9 wrote

I lived on the corner of Oberlin and Clifton for years and never had a single issue or the slightest whiff of an issue. Feel free to DM me a more exact address and I can give you details but I have no idea what these folks are on about. I lived two houses from that corner for years and never once had a problem.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf84wk wrote

Climeboy, all the people saying it’s dangerous don’t even go into that area.. it’s pretty much safe as anywhere else in the city

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gopperman t1_jbetgur wrote

Agree with /u/Climboy, I've had plenty of friends who have lived exactly on that street, it's fine and close to campus!

You'll hear a lot of stuff about Main South not being safe, but it's the same as any city. The neighborhood outside Clark is filled with PoC and immigrants, and there is a normal amount of poverty. Most "crime" is drug-related or won't affect you as a college student. You'll see a homeless person every now and then. Most people over-react to these optics because they've never lived in a city before. Worcester statistically has lower crime rates than other nearby cities. Take the same precautions you would in any city, and you will be fine. There's a lot of great food and activities in the area if you're willing to leave the campus bubble!

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Doom-Hauer451 t1_jbf3hk8 wrote

This has been my experience as well, living mostly in “less than desirable” parts of Worcester since 2009. I think I felt anxious about it the first few months having grown up in the suburbs, then it was fine. If you’re not in a gang and you’re just a normal person who works and/or goes to school, your chances of being involved in a crime or attacked on the street are considerably low.

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Sangy101 t1_jbfpowi wrote

Yeah I lived near Clark around the same time period. Had way more friends get jumped than one would expect — but then you talk to them, and it’s like “are you fucking serious? You provoked the locals.”

Don’t be a jerk. Don’t pick fights. It’s all good.

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ssumana t1_jbf2hl2 wrote

This. Born and raised here and the bad rep that main south has that gets repeated is obnoxious at this point.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbfl797 wrote

Oh yeah... super safe stepping on used needles and being accosted by homeless and/or unmedicated people. Such a fun, safe place. Super safe. Donald Trump would say its the safest spot in Worcester.

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ssumana t1_jbfnfwv wrote

i think you have main south confused with lincoln street which is where the majority of the city's medical resources are. You'll find needles, homeless, and mentally ill anywhere in the city. that's just the reality of life today and if that's scary to you stay home. not sure what trump has anything to do with this discussion. main south is packed with small family run businesses, working class, and students.

To OP probably the only section of the city where you'll find people of all backgrounds actually out of their homes and interacting during the day and I hope you enjoy what it has to offer.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbfnzsc wrote

The Trump comment was just to capture the trolls I feel like arguing with when I'm bored at work.

The majority of the city's medical/psych needs are actually on Queen St/Jacques Ave., as is the biggest homeless shelter in the area. The Lincoln st. medical areas are for the lower socio-economic class of people who can afford to get around by car.

I've definitely stepped on needles around Beacon Pharmacy multiple times. That's definitely not on Lincoln St.

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gopperman t1_jbftxp6 wrote

yeah, as i was saying above, if you are bothered by the existence of and proximity to people struggling through these issues, maybe living in a city isn't for you.

Equating a few unpleasant interactions with less fortunate folks with a serious safety risk above and beyond normal city life is disingenuous, frustrating, and not helpful for OP.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbg1xa3 wrote

I've lived in Boston and NYC and worked in Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford and Lowell. I can handle city life just fine. I've also lived in Tampa and Daytona Beach.

The person how the area around Clark is. Due to the nature of my work I am in those areas on a consistent basis and find it to be the worst part of the city.

Sorry not sorry, I'm entitled to my opinions as well.

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gopperman t1_jbghgr3 wrote

Cool, cool, I was able to pull up violent crime statistics via neighborhood scout. Your chances of being victimized by a violent crime in:

Worcester - 1 in 170

Boston - 1 in 166

Brockton - 1 in 156

Fall river - 1 in 110!

New Bedford - 1 in 164

Lowell - 1 in 303 (good job, lowell)

Tampa, FL - 1 in 178

Daytona Beach - 1 in 98!!

So you can see clearly Worcester is safer than many of the places you've lived and worked.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbjdsly wrote

A difference of 8-15 people would put them all in the same category in most statistics groupings. This is essentially saying that Boston, Worcester, Tampa, New Bedford and Brockton are all roughly the same with, shockingly IMO, Brockton being the safest of the group. Surprised about Lowell as that city sketched me out the most. Daytona doesn't surprise me.

I'm curious about your source and from when these numbers are as well.

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gopperman t1_jbjse7f wrote

I mentioned it up above but https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/

edit: Also, you might be reading the stats backwards, Brockton is the least safe of the median bunch at 1/156, Tampa the safest at 1/178, but I agree they're all pretty similar enough.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbk75d4 wrote

Yeah I did read that wrong. I read it as 186. Fucking old man eyes over here.

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tommyverssetti t1_jbesglt wrote

You’ll be mostly around families and other clark students.. you’ll be fine Op

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MidSizedYeet t1_jbe658g wrote

South Main Street has largely been considered the sketchiest part of Worcester since I've been alive. Maybe ask other Clark students where they live to get a better idea of good spots

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wildthing202 t1_jbehhz2 wrote

I remember going by there at night and seeing hookers hanging out in front the school.

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binocular_gems t1_jbgbd5d wrote

Are you sure these weren't students wandering home from the bar...?

Pretty uncommon for prostitutes to hang out in front of Clark, not a ton of johns, lots of police attention. Perhaps when the Massachusetts Republican Convention was in Worcester, that was a busy weekend for sex workers.

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Sangy101 t1_jbfpu1b wrote

When?? I was there in the late 2000s/early 2010s and never experienced that.

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Burnt_broccolini t1_jbgg0fn wrote

Were you not going out in the late 2000s/ early 2010s? That’s literally when sex work in the neighborhood was at its peak. The Dunkin’ Donuts on main was featured in a documentary about prostitution. During the early days of the recession it picked up a lot and local politicians ran on anti sex work campaigns

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OtterlyFoxy t1_jbhbuyw wrote

Currently a student there

Sometimes there’s weird people coming on campus but it’s usually pretty safe

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Spacemage t1_jbemhz1 wrote

I lived in Worcester for about 12 years, and lived in both a nice secluded area, and a pretty rough area. Neither were at the top of their category, but I spent a lot of time in the areas on foot.

I left about two years ago, and while I was there the areas I went through were quite safe. The city itself was MUCH safer than when I first moved there. As a man, I understand I've got a bit of a different perspective, but I have walked alone, very late at night (2AM), down some rough streets. I only had an issue one time, and it was near the nice place I lived.

Since you won't have a vehicle, that will help you stay under the radar as far as being a target for theft. The area around Clark is not great, by any means, but its also not the worst. As you said, you're not going out at night alone. Avoid the park if you're by yourself, buy yourself some pepper spray and an alarm, and you'll probably be fine.

Keep to yourself and no one is going to bother you.

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coldrunn t1_jbeggn4 wrote

Immediate adjacent is a bunch of Clark students. After that, it's not the worst part of town, but in the conversation.

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbeelcy wrote

Depending on the time of day. You definitely dont want to find yourself out there after dark. Theres still a lot of gang activity, and a lot of the Kelley Square drug use is being pushed back towards main south, especially after Polar Park and the lights going up in the green street tunnel. But on the flip side, its a beautiful neighborhood with amazing and kind people and delicious restaurants and great family-owned markets. Its also the best dunkins in worcester, imo.

eta- sorry about the walking at night comment. But it is true, as long as you stay smart and alert, which it sounds you like you are, you should be ok. I work at one of the neighborhood schools and i was really intimidated at first, but now i feel like im part of the community. I take the advice of my students and they all say the same thing- they leave the basketball court when it starts to get dark and go straight home.

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Blotofink OP t1_jbehpck wrote

Yeah. Even in safe places I've lived, I don't go out unless I'm in a group in like a downtown area cause of some freaky occurrences. And I'm not known to stay out late anyways (unless like class? but they have a shuttle from what I hear past 4pm).

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Wendon t1_jbfii6k wrote

I think you are probably likely to get many biased answers about this because many people who live in Worcester have not lived in a different city, or moved from a more rural locale to Worcester. There is probably more crime than average in the Main South neighborhood, but if you have been in a different city before I would not say it is uniquely worse than any other slightly downtrodden midtown in a different city. On the upside park ave is rapidly developing and you will basically be in restaurant central where you are. If you already have good instincts for city life you will probably be fine.

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Sangy101 t1_jbfry0x wrote

You’ll be fine. I won’t lie and say NOTHING sketchy happened while I lived there — a few friends got mugged. On one notable occasion, a woman was abducted from the corner of Clifton/Oberlin as part of, IIRC, some gang initiation. A few friends got jumped, but it turned out they were all picking fights. Some friends had their house broken into not long after they moved in cos it used to be a dealers’ house.

That was, btw, ten years ago, and the area has only gotten safer since. I have a deep and abiding love for Main South and Worcester.

I’m telling you that in full the spirit of full transparency, and to say: just use basic precautions. The area is most “dangerous” in summer when there aren’t a lot of students and high school kids aren’t in classes — all the muggings I knew of took place over summer. The folks who got jumped were picking fights, so like, don’t yell shit at locals? The other two instances were scary, but I think, in context, two scary moments over 6+ years is pretty minimal/par for the course in a University area.

Clark is really involved in the local community, and that breeds a lot of good will. They run two of the local schools, and students from the area can qualify for a full ride to Clark.

One summer night I was being kinda stupid and walking home with one friend at 2:30 AM. A group of high school kids on bikes rolled up, started circling, and were generally causing mischief.Petty crime, tagging stuff, that sort of thing. I started to feel pretty nervous, especially when one kid rolled to a stop in front of me.

He pulled down his hoodie and asked how I was doing. I ran his after school program. We had a nice chat and I walked home safe. Great kid — I saw him at my five year reunion: he was a Junior at Clark.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbflj9e wrote

That being the best Dunkin in Worcester is fake news. The Best Dunks in Worcester is in the Yatco (I think it is anyways) on West Boylston across from Bud's Dispensary.

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbfm1lr wrote

Good to know. Like I said IN MY OPINION the one on the corner on main South is the best.

The one across the from Buds is great if you're the only one there but its way too congested.

Ive never heard the term 'fake news' used in response to someones personal opinion...

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbfnjl0 wrote

I was just being a derp for no reason at all. I like to throw random Trump-isms to get my inbox blowing up to harass people.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf02vk wrote

She has no reason to worry if she’s not actively in a gang. They tend to leave the civilians alone.

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf1t89 wrote

Yes, gangs are notorious for being non-violent and non-confrontational to unfamiliar people in their territory. /s

And even so, the chance of being a bystander or just having literally anything else happen to a young girl at night in the worst area of a big new city is enough to show concern.

Thats a very naive piece of advice to give...

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf29ll wrote

so if it’s so dangerous, post the news articles of people being attacked in that area that’s not actively in a gang… Cuz y’all just feeding her bullshit and don’t even go near the area. I’m not telling her to not be smart. I’m telling her it’s not a warzone like some of you weirdos are telling her

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf2syc wrote

ok buddy. you sound very educated about this. again /s

not that it matters, but im literally typing this from the area right now. Did you read all the nice things I said about it?

So as long as its not a war zone then its safe? Go away.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf37rw wrote

Show me where someone has been attacked? Show her? We’ll wait

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf3nd7 wrote

are you... are you serious with this right now? im having a hard time articulating a response to this bc it is so off the wall i almost think you're trolling me.

I guess because i personally dont know anyone or because i cant link the "news story" then an area is totally safe? is this what you're implying? i meannnnn

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf3tfr wrote

you’re telling her it’s not safe, if that’s true you can prove it right?

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf4abp wrote

tell me where i said its not safe. i told her not to go out after dark, as is the same exact advice all me and my neighbors follow. i also told her how nice it is. are you sure youre responding to the right person????

​

also- why do i have to "prove it". you're being insufferable. get off my comment im just trying to help he rout and youre being a dick.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf4j78 wrote

I dunno maybe it wasn’t you, maybe i browsed this thread and just chose yours to respond to because most of these comments are ill informed

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf3dx1 wrote

and yea i’m pretty educated on this. I started one of the largest gangs in the city in my youth.. now i’m old and reformed. but i still keep my ear to the street.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf2pqt wrote

She can listen to y’all who don’t even go near the area and just go off rumor and innuendo, or she can take it from someone who actually goes to the area and knows the gangs in the area. Clark and it’s surrounding areas are safe for people not involved in street/gang activity, and that’s just the facts .

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf33dc wrote

nothing is 100% safe and shes asking for tips on how to keep safe in the area. You arent the only person who lives/works there.

Why are you so triggered?

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf3k1g wrote

when did anyone say anywhere was 100% safe? she should be smart enough to know that. Just play it smart and she’ll be ok. I’m not triggered, y’all just trying to scare this girl with false information.

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Business_Fly_5746 t1_jbf4133 wrote

Clark and it’s surrounding areas are safe for people not involved in
street/gang activity, and that’s just the facts .

by your argument the area os completely safe from gang activity if you arent in a gang. so she must be all set then.

you are literally arguing against me, and then using my exact argument to try to prove your self right? this is bizarre.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf4biy wrote

no i’m saying are there gangs? yes. should she be afraid of gangs messing with her? no. should she still be smart and aware like one should in any city? yes

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riek92 t1_jbek2kn wrote

I use to live in Main South on Stoneland Rd and walk to Clark all the time when I was a teenager, even at midnight. We use to use one of their buildings for dance practices and sometimes collaborate with the dance team they had at Clark. Nothing ever happened to me. I think people tend to overreact about main south. As long as you mind your own business, no one should bother you. That being said, you should still have caution wherever you go whether your in Main South or in the middle of Tokyo.

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towishonpennies t1_jbf4iwd wrote

I lived in a first floor apartment on May St. alone for 5 years (2016-2021) with no issues. Worcester is like any populous city, be alert and take precautions but I wouldn't call it unusually unsafe. I also lived in apartments on Charlotte St. and Main St. during undergrad and my main concern was noise from neighbors. Happy to answer specific questions if you have any!

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BloodAtonement t1_jbeu0ll wrote

Fun fact about main south: directly across Clark, houses Crystal pond which is home to the serial killer named The Woodmans who hasn't been caught yet.

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Doom-Hauer451 t1_jbf4w0w wrote

Ehhh, cold cases where the last victims were found 20 years ago, and they think that guy’s primary interest was prostitutes. I’m sure OP has nothing to worry about.

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gopperman t1_jbgxji9 wrote

oh is that why it's called dead hooker pond? That was way more than 20 years ago, I moved here in 2003 and it was already an urban legend at that point.

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Swimming-Minimum981 t1_jbiiqrc wrote

there was another in 2019, i think! i remember my journalism professor talking about it!

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[deleted] t1_jbg6pjo wrote

[removed]

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WorcesterMA-ModTeam t1_jbg8urv wrote

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Please refresh yourself on our rules before continuing to participate. If you have any questions, please contact the moderators.

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thisday23 t1_jbemktw wrote

I attended Clark as an undergrad about 11 years ago and lived off-campus on Florence, in the direction you’re speaking of. At that time I also worked off campus in the other direction, at a restaurant about a mile away. I didn’t have a car and would walk to and from work, often late at night. Was it the smartest thing I ever did? No. Did anything ever happen to me? No. Honestly, as a female walking late at night, I kept my wits about me and never really had any safety concerns. I didn’t really see people out at that hour (I would usually walk home between 9-11pm), but I’m not sure if things have changed for the worse. I do know people who got mugged near/on campus late at night. With all that being said, Clark used to offer “escorts,” which included either people walking with you at night or a van driving you. I just did a quick Google and it looks like they still offer on-call transportation within a one-mile radius of campus: https://www.clarku.edu/transportation/clarkride/

I think you’ll be fine during the day. If you’re worried about at night, use the car service.

Edit: My apartment also felt safe. I lived in one of the triple deckers on the third floor. The only time our first-floor neighbors had an issue was when they left the door open and went next door to see friends; in that time they got robbed.

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Whole-Wishbone-7539 t1_jbf6gt2 wrote

I would highly recommend you contact Clark's public safety dept for more information on the area and what they can offer you coming or going at night in the area if that is a necessity. The area is kind of a mix. If you have reliable transportation there are several other areas of the city that are nicer.

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justinator5 t1_jbfoz2k wrote

Main south neighborhood. Lived in the area most of my life. All the streets immediately surrounding Clark are fine for the most part. Main Street is the exception. Lotta crackheads and prostitutes lol. Walked it a lot in high school up until a couple years ago and did run into the occasional problem but again it was almost always on Main Street and at mainly at night, and not close to Clark. Avoid crystal park at night and just be vigilant when walking. I don’t think it’s as bad as it was when I walked a lot, but having a car the last few years has definitely kept me off the streets and avoiding problems for the most part.

Ps don’t be dumb and walk out in front of cars. You’re more likely to get hit by a car than be a victim of crime. A lot of people won’t stop for you. Also never leave your house or car doors unlocked.

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4runnr t1_jbe8kxo wrote

Honestly the area around clark is perfectly fine, especially during the day, until you hit hammond/may street. I lived on Fairfield St for 5 years with no issues.

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nitwitsavant t1_jbedbo2 wrote

Worcester has pockets of great and super sketch that touch boundaries. A few blocks in each direction of any of the major colleges touches both types.

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Buckwheatking67 t1_jbepf9z wrote

I have lived on Florence St. for years the Clark police is across the street, The neighborhood is safe, not a good idea to walk by yourself at night.

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tommyverssetti t1_jbesvfk wrote

Meetmainsouth.org neighborhood has incredible diversity, great food and small mom pop retail shops. Some areas (not too close to Clark) are a bit tougher for foot traffic because there’s a lot of dealing still but mind your business and you’ll be fine.

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delvinaT t1_jbfelns wrote

I lived on Florence street for about a year and a half, and my soft top jeep was “unzipped” twice in the middle of the night and stuff was stolen…nothing of value, but still was annoying

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complete_your_task t1_jbfxyh7 wrote

I've never personally lived there, but I had friends who did and I was constantly over there so I spent a lot of time there, day and night. My advice is from 6-7 years ago and the area has been getting nicer recently so do keep that in mind. As long as you keep to yourself, you should be fine. You'll probably experience some sketchy stuff but if you don't get involved it shouldn't be a problem. There are drunks/crackheads in the area that will occasionally cause a scene. I would hear the occasional gunshot, and there were shots fired on the basketball court in the park directly across from Clark in the middle of the day once. I don't think anyone was hit though. But I never personally had any issues. There is some gang activity in the surrounding area but as long as you aren't involved you really shouldn't have any problems. Basically, if you're a normal college student who has common sense and doesn't go looking for trouble you might see some weird shit but you shouldn't personally have any problems.

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New_Serve6270 t1_jbty6bz wrote

Crackheads live in that area, I lived there for 1 year on Hancock. Do not walk at night.

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teasea02 t1_jbeocll wrote

… what Major & cats names please?

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Blotofink OP t1_jbg5nd5 wrote

>teasea02

MFA in Interactive Media & they're names are Smudge and Omen. They're brothers!

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teasea02 t1_jbgd7m9 wrote

Is Smudge the Famous meme cat? I wish you the best post grad experience. Worcester is way cool

…. I live 45 minutes West of Worcester. It’s way cooler

I think busses are free. That’s great! Tell Smudge & Omen meow for me. Sincerely, Ted

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Blotofink OP t1_jbn4gn1 wrote

Ah, he is not famous, no. He's technically not even a year old yet. But I would say that he's my own personal meme since his eyes are big and he always look like he's on crack XD Thank you Ted.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbezmzj wrote

Yea you’ll be fine.. there’s def crackheads over there but for the most part you’re good.. Clark police patrol pretty often

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Intelligent-Sugar554 t1_jbgd9j4 wrote

Not a news article, but my sister got attacked just outside of McD's. No, she is not in a gang or has any gang affiliations. She just went there to get something off the $1 menu in the evening. I also have heard similar stories but will not comment on those as I cannot confirm the details. Not saying the area is unsafe, but still would be cautious when venturing off the confines of the campus and travel in groups.

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sepukangri t1_jbhgve5 wrote

Hey! I’m a Clark student that lives off campus near the area where you’re looking, and I live off Main Street. I am also a woman. My best advice is to be aware, smart with locking doors and windows, and to not lose your compassion for your neighbors :) I personally love living in Main South, there’s a great community here. I do not walk on Main Street at night. However, I’ve walked all over campus and the surrounding side streets many times at night and during the day and never felt unsafe. When I’m alone I just mind my business, take my earbuds out, and stay relaxed- basic stuff! Many of my friends have pepper spray/ noise alarms as well. Clifton is well-lit and can be a little chaotic sometimes but nothing bad.

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Zealousideal_Lie_383 t1_jbhqhfa wrote

Sorry to contradict to so many others, but as a resident I wouldn’t consider it close to being decent or safe.

Just read the police blotter. Vehicles are regularly ransacked, addicts and mentally unstable folks constantly wandering through apartment buildings, police often dealing with personal&property crime, obvious street corner drug dealers and their bicycle riding couriers, the periodic gun shot.

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[deleted] t1_jbhu17t wrote

It’s not the safest….

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Wbcn_1 t1_jbeiduw wrote

I found a bullet hole in my car when I lived on Clifton St. This was 20 years ago. I’m pretty sure that area has improved based on how Clark seems to be buying up the surrounding area.

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basilblueberry t1_jbfnop0 wrote

one time my freshman year me and my friend (both women) walked down park ave at midnight and were fine. i lived with little fear back then, but ive never had problems walking. some clark students will complain abt homeless asking for money and shit, but if that’s the worse to happen to them then boohoo. but yeah, just don’t walk alone at night, there’s a clark escort bus thing that can drive you from place to place at night if need be. walking down the streets immediately surrounding clark (charlotte, maywood and florence) even at night always feels safe to me, especially on weekends bc students will be all over. basically, don’t let the area deter you! it will be okay!

also my bf lives down main street a bit more towards dunkin, I don’t like walking that way after dark so he always drives me

also forgot to mention that there’s these lyft pass things where you can call a lyft within a mile radius or something to pick you up as well

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Blotofink OP t1_jbg59m9 wrote

Yeah I've been frequently to cities growing up and I'm from cali, so I am plenty used to homeless people shenanigans. I think I'm just nervous about actually LIVING in a city, but I'm likely just psyching myself out.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbh7qp2 wrote

i promise you you’ll be fine. Worcester is pretty fun these days.. especially in summer and fall

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jesseMc420 t1_jbgc6ir wrote

All of Worcester is very safe as long as you just make common sense decisions. Be careful about going out late at night and just be careful and you will be fine.

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Bwoman_89 t1_jbgky8v wrote

As someone who grew up in that area, I would not recommend it for a young graduate female. I don’t know the exact street you’re interested in but I would recommend looking closer to apartments on June, Chandler and surrounding WPI. Those places are safer and have plenty of restaurants and night life within walking distance.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbh8914 wrote

june and chandler is trash for a college student. she’s gonna meet friends at clark and be fine walking around

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woodbineburner t1_jbhdi5o wrote

Main south definitely has some characters, but they don’t want anything to do with Clark kids. Don’t worry too much, it’s actually an exciting area to live in. - fifth year student

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spodocephala t1_jbhmzsi wrote

Lived there until last year. I could see Clark from my apartment. You’ll be fine if you mind your business anywhere in main south. I’m 24/F if that matters

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Zealousideal_Lie_383 t1_jbhqs8l wrote

“You’ll be fine if you mind your own business” …. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.

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Swimming-Minimum981 t1_jbiio3s wrote

i live in blackstone hall, that area is usually okay. i would avoid walking on park avenue at night alone, both my gf and i have been harassed there. also, maybe avoid university park at night. my sophomore year, they found a murdered sex worker in the lake. apparently that was not the first time. buddy up (preferably with a tall male-presenting friend) and stay aware of your surroundings at night, and you’ll be a-okay!

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binocular_gems t1_jbgaqto wrote

That section of Worcester is not the most desirable section, but the Clark campus is quite safe. If it's late at night, I wouldn't stray far from the campus, at least East or South, but for the most part it's just hard working people and then some substance abuse and petty crime issues.

I've walked home many, many times from the bars in and around Clark, I've walked from bars on the other side of town through the neighborhoods adjacent to Clark, and walked around there before the areas had improved. I'm not hanging around those areas late at night, I'm walking through them and doing it in a determined way, but I've never felt unsafe. ... Just keeping to myself and moving. I think the biggest risk is probably folks struggling with substance abuse.

I suspect biggest risk might be petty crime, lock your car doors, etc.

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OtterlyFoxy t1_jbhbqzf wrote

Been there since 2020 it’s totally safe

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Latter_Quantity1989 t1_jbit41s wrote

Is Its not as dangerous as people make it sound. Main South has had a shit reputation, its mostly just because poor/ low income folks live in this area, it doesn't mean its necessarily dangerous. BUT with that said, you still have to be smart, especially after dark, stay away from random people, there are crazies everywhere in this world. Most of the violence in the city is teenagers attacking other teenagers or people with mental issues going wild. Random violence can happen but it is rare.

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Latter_Quantity1989 t1_jbitcit wrote

I have lived in several different countries, continents, and US states.... Worcester is one of the safest places I have ever lived. People who call Worcester dangerous, have not seen a real dangerous area...

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Prudent-Trip3608 t1_jbggh4r wrote

Not safe, avoid. I work a couple blocks from there and I’ve seen 4 deceased people in my parking lot in the last 5 years. I’ve had my car broken into a couple of times, and have had a guy rip his clothes off hulk hogan style while holding a knife right in front of me. Multiple 911 calls for people ODing in the parking lot. The drug problem is BAD.

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kukito2011 t1_jbgy8s8 wrote

Worst area ever unless you like drugs and hoes

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ManagerPug t1_jbeupyz wrote

I know a girl who went to Clark. She was out running with a friend and they both got robbed. Which sounds about right for what ive been told about the surrounding area of Clark University.

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[deleted] t1_jbf7css wrote

[removed]

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WorcesterMA-ModTeam t1_jbg8ic5 wrote

Your comment is being removed for uncivil behavior. Our community maintains a respect level of civility in discussion regardless of the views being presented, and posts such as yours that engage in this type of discussion are not welcome here.

Please refresh yourself on our rules before continuing to participate, and show other posters the respect that all other people are owed.

If you cannot provide that, you are not welcome here.

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Dick_Hz t1_jbexgv5 wrote

Not safe for the past 50 years.

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Chef_Dani_J71 t1_jbeh6z8 wrote

Clark itself is safe, step out off campus and Main South is a warzone.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf0eey wrote

not true y’all putting extra sauce on it

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Chef_Dani_J71 t1_jbf3wr7 wrote

Not really. Compared to all the other colleges / university's neighbors, Clark's is the one I would have reservations sending my daughter to.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf40uk wrote

and clark is actually one of the better ones out of all of them, so you’d be doing your kid a disservice

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Chef_Dani_J71 t1_jbf4uub wrote

As I stated, Clark is a great school. It is a shame the neighborhood went the way it did. The OP deserves to know the truth.

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BigResponsibility878 t1_jbf54m5 wrote

the neighborhood has actually gotten a lot better.. Gentrification is also headed that way for better or for worse

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KNS508 t1_jbhqkjv wrote

You must not be familiar. The neighborhood is like night and day today compared to when I was a kid - in a positive way.

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FIFAFanboy2023 t1_jbejy2x wrote

Warzone might be a bit of hyperbole, but its definitely an open air drug market and a lot of people who simply don't give a fuck about society.

1