“I need the space for when I spread out all of my law books and papers on the floor,” Sheehan says with a laugh.
Sheehan is one of many Rutgers–Camden students making their homes in the city of Camden who say a vibrant and refreshing community spirit exists in the neighborhoods near the campus.
“When I started going to school here, I realized how hard Rutgers has worked to maintain a safe environment around the campus,” says Sheehan, a Wenonah native. “I was nervous to move from a small town to a big city, but you can’t write off Camden.”
In light of ongoing concerns about public safety in Camden, Rutgers–Camden maintains that its top priority will always be to provide a safe environment for its students. Every day, Rutgers–Camden’s University Police patrol a 1.5-square-mile area on foot, on bicycle, and in cars around the clock. In total, the RUPD employs 19 fully commissioned police officers and 40 security guards. A typical shift will have four officers, 14 guards, and one dispatcher on duty. Off-duty officers are designated with on-call status to respond swiftly in the event of an emergency.
“I feel it’s a safe environment,” says Mariah Brown, a freshman from Hamilton who lives in a residence hall on campus. “Walking through this campus, I’ve never felt afraid.”
Connie Simon, a senior from Mullica Hill, says the always-visible officers and guards make her feel safe.
“There’s always a security person in sight and there are emergency booths set up so that you can hit a button to call police,” says Simon, who also
Unarmed security guards are stationed in campus buildings, and three of those guards conduct patrols that augment the visible presence of police officers. Entry to on-campus housing is secured 24/7 by a guard station. The guard allows access to the Rutgers–Camden Tower and Apartments only to those individuals displaying valid Rutgers housing IDs.
Mary Beth Daisey, associate chancellor for student life at Rutgers–Camden, says a significant number of students choose to live in apartment buildings along Cooper Street and in the city’s historic Cooper Grant neighborhood. The Victor Lofts are a popular place for law students like Rachele Van Arsdale, who says living so close to campus has many advantages.
“I really enjoy the waterfront, the aquarium, and all of the different events that take place on campus,” Van Arsdale says. “The greatest advantage is that I am so close to school and I’m able to be more involved in pro bono activities, research activities, and various lectures and seminars.”
Michael Younker, who also studies law at Rutgers–Camden, makes his home on Linden Street in the Cooper Grant neighborhood. He says he most enjoys the area’s strong sense of community.
“People make an effort to meet their neighbors and show an interest in each others’ lives,” he says. “When the weather is nice, it can be pleasant to walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philly.”
Located at the Camden Waterfront district, Rutgers–Camden sits just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia’s historic district and Penn’s Landing; in fact, Rutgers–Camden is the four-year college closest to the Liberty Bell.
Rutgers–Camden is also located within one block of the PATCO High Speed Line, and New Jersey Transit’s River LINE stops right on campus on Cooper Street, while the Benjamin Franklin Bridge walkway for pedestrians and cyclists is accessed from campus.
However, that convenience doesn’t mean students do not have to exercise common sense and everyday caution.
“There are numerous advantages to living so close to the campus because it’s easy to access and to take advantage of all of the resources,” Daisey says. “Just like any other college environment, students should be conscious of the city just as they would if livin
Wali Rushdan, a law student who lives in a two-room apartment on Cooper Street, says students shouldn’t mistake being cautious for living in fear.
“I don’t feel the need to look over my shoulder,” Rushdan says. “I’m cautious in that I make sure I’m walking in well-lit areas at night and keep my door locked, but those are prudent things to do no matter where you live.”
Van Arsdale says the biggest misconception she has is experienced is that some people think most Camden residents are poor, uneducated, and involved in gangs or drugs.
“That is simply not true,” she says. “The majority of people I have met or worked with in this city are good people who are just trying to make a living and raise their families.”
Rushdan sees living in Camden as an opportunity for Rutgers–Camden students.
“We have a lot of strong, powerful minds here who are going to be the next generation of leaders,” he says. “The city is our host for professional development, so part of the challenge is getting students invested in the community. You might think that Camden is unsafe because of its outward appearance, but there’s a lot of opportunity here.”
-30-
Media Contact: Ed Moorhouse
856-225-6759
E-mail: ejmoor@camden.rutgers.edu