Sexual assault sparks fears of walking beyond 40th St.

In light of the recent sexual assault at 40th and Pine streets, many students have voiced their concerns about venturing past traditional campus boundaries.

"Since I've heard about that incident, I wouldn't walk home alone. I have to walk with at least one other person," said College sophomore Molly Larkin, who lives at 40th and Spruce streets.

Many students feel comfortable walking within the clear confines of campus. However, other students felt apprehensive about walking farther than 40th Street even before the assault occurred.

"The farthest I will go is Freshgrocer, and even then I'm sort of worried," College freshman Lucy Maddox said.

Students also said that they were hesitant to walk further off-campus than Market Street or Baltimore Avenue.

"I am fine going up the numbers, but I wouldn't go past Market [Street] alone," College freshman J.W. Smith said.

However, as many upperclassmen grow accustomed to walking off-campus -- or move there themselves -- they become less apprehensive about traveling deeper into West Philadelphia.

"I don't really mind walking past 40th Street," Engineering and Wharton junior Nishita Pawar said, adding that this was not true when she first arrived at Penn.

"I definitely think that being older has changed my perspective on walking past 40th Street because many upperclassmen live off campus," she said.

Some freshmen are more adventurous and enjoy exploring the community past the 40th Street corridor.

"I walk regularly to 45th and Baltimore [Avenue] to eat at the Vientiane Cafe. I usually go with other people, although I have done it alone as well," College freshman Mike Poll said, adding than walking alone is a rare occurrence for him.

Others said that initially they were not afraid of walking alone, though they later wished they had gone with a friend.

"I thought I would be fine walking by myself, but halfway through my walk I realized it probably wasn't the best idea," College freshman Ali Kwiatkowski said of a recent walk past 40th Street.

While female students usually voiced the most concern about walking alone, several male students also said they would feel more comfortable walking in a group.

"I've never actually felt threatened past 40th Street, but it's always nice to have a walking companion," College freshman Andrew Glantz said.

Most students believed that they could be the target of crime in a city environment even if they have never before been affected by crime.

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