Relying on common sense, not fear

I recently decided that if I had to be a superhero, I would be Captain Invincible. First of all, he's the namesake of an awesomely bad musical sci-fi film from 1983. Second, I have the invincible thing down to a science.

My parents, who always tell me that "young people think they're invincible," probably aren't too thrilled about my attitude toward crime.

Sure, I can appreciate their perspective. But it's not my style to worry. I like to think that my mom is concerned enough for the both of us.

The only problem with feeling invincible is that every once in a while I am reminded that I am not, in fact, a superhero. This happened last month when I saw an episode of America's Most Wanted.

What scared me even more than the fact that I was watching a show as lame as America's Most Wanted was that the story featured the "Fairmount Park rapist-murderer," as they dubbed him.

The episode explained that in July 2003, the year before I came to Penn, a woman was raped and killed in Fairmount Park. Three months later, another woman escaped an attack, believed to be by the same man, in the park.

Theft and violence in University City has undeniably seen an uptick. Between Dec. 21 and 26, two armed robberies and a homicide took place in stores on Penn's campus.

And this weekend, three people were shot at 38th and Sansom streets.

So, here I find myself between the rough West Philly streets and a dangerous running path that is part of my daily exercise regime. For a normal person, this would be a giant red flag.

The thing is, even though John Walsh's skillful America's Most Wanted narrative still echoes through my mind, I haven't stopped running. The river path doesn't seem as friendly as I used to think it was, but I just push through the fear. Hey, if Rocky survived his runs through Philadelphia, so can I.

I like to think I can outrun most criminals, especially with all that adrenaline rushing through my veins. Plus, my mile times have gone way down.

I appreciate my parents' wisdom, but I still would rather ignore the truth and hope for the best. I used to think I was one of a multitude of students who choose convenience over safety. Apparently, everyone else got smart.

Statistically, Penn students are responding to the crime. The number of people that used walking-escort services last month increased by 87 percent when compared to the same period in 2004. You don't have to be a statistics major to understand the figure's significance.

This, despite the extreme awkwardness of being escorted by a complete stranger.

On an individual level, though, Captain Invincible has influenced the attitudes other students as well. Christina Schaffer, a Wharton sophomore, says that when she walks home late at night, "I figure I won't get robbed this time. I'll be fine."

Ignoring a problem doesn't make it magically disappear, but it is a common response to crime.

It is irrational to demand that students dramatically change their behavior. Penn shouldn't become a ghost town from a Western movie. The location is all wrong, and the high-rise wind tunnel would destroy any lone tumbleweeds.

But it is easy to make small changes that offer a compromise between the two extremes.

"Penn students are only victims of crime because of their own stupidity," my friend Nicky once told me. I somehow failed to recognize the significance of this statement.

Whipping out my cell phone on the long hike back from the library at 2 a.m. always seems like a good idea. The voice on the other end somehow makes me feel less vulnerable. Really, I might as well be wearing a strobe light that alerts the neighborhood that I am an easy target.

It is time that I admit my own vulnerability, realize I will never be able to wear spandex and a cape without being ridiculed and take some precautions.

The events of Sunday shocked me into action. I need to stop taking my safety for granted. I can't put convenience over safety forever.

Pepper spray is a female runner's best friend. And the next time a bike cop asks if I need an escort, I might not turn him down.Damn, I hate when my parents are right.

Anna Hartley is a sophomore comparative literature and French major from Palo Alto, Calif. Penn's Annatomy appears on Tuesdays.

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