job in NoMa area- is it safe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of the PPs above that works in the area. When I left the office last evening I noticed two police cars on First st which is a main drag through noma. Notwithstanding the police presence I read on reddit that there was a stabbing at approximately 7:30 pm - still daylight - around the corner at 300 florida avenue. Beautiful.

https://mobile.twitter.com/DCPoliceDept/status/620742862326644736

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a negative opinion of employers who relocate to these cheaper, sketchier areas to save money.

Actually, rental space in that area is really pricey. It has increased substantially since the ATF headquarters relocated.

[Anonymous]

And there was just a robbery on the Met. Branch Trail.

I can't say I'm surprised at the seeming increase in crime - if you want to rob someone, you go where the money is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a negative opinion of employers who relocate to these cheaper, sketchier areas to save money.

I agree: Looking at you NPR.

NPR had two employees, that I know of, robbed and beat up last year.

The three crimes OP referenced (1 murder, 1 robery shooting, one biker robed) all happened within view of NPR.

[Anonymous]

I work in NoMa on 1st St in the block between K St and Union Station. I drive but would never walk to the metro after dark. There are a lot of pan handlers and homeless people that sleep along the train station wall on 1st St. That said, I've never had an issue walking up to Union Station at lunch time, although I do pay attention that my purse is secure, etc. I haven't really wandered much in the other direction, mostly because I don't have any friends who work down that way so I have no reason to go. I liked working downtown a lot better, but moved for a better job so it was worth the tradeoff.

[Anonymous]

I live nearby and would not consider safety an issue during work hours. But if you haven't already, check it out: take your normal commuter route (probably Metro to Noma stop) in the morning, evening, or lunchtime and walk to and from the potential office. And ask the potential employer what services they might offer if you will be working unusual hours. For example, will they pay for a cab to Union Station if you're there until 10 pm?

[Anonymous]

The area is fairly decent and in 2 years will be more than fine. There is about $500M of investment coming in the next 18 months, which will bring more housing, commercial and retail.

[Anonymous]

People think that because they put in nice buildings the area is magically safe. It's not. 10 years ago "NoMa" didn't have a fancy name and looked like what it is. Now people wander around like it's some transformed urban paradise. However, I have gone down there for work and it's fine during the day and has a lot of good lunch options. Just adjust your work hours and stay aware. Carry pepper spray or something. I don't think it's ideal, but I don't think you should pass up a career opportunity due to the unlikely chance something really bad would happen to you. I work on Rockville Pike and there are panhandlers all the time. Panhandlers are not usually the problem.

[Anonymous]

NoMa area is bougie as all hell, nothing but gentrification and condos these days. Which is a shame, it's gotten fairly boring.

[Anonymous]

I have worked there for the past 5 years and have never felt unsafe even arriving in the dark in the am. 1 St is very well trafficked all day.

[Anonymous]

10 minute walk from the metro in which direction? That could take you a lot of places.

I have lived in NoMa for 3 years, and have never felt as unsafe as I do right now. It's not as much that I feel unsafe moment to moment, but hearing about all of the incidents makes me aware that I could just be in the wrong place at the wrong time and could get hurt or killed.

There has been a huge spike in midday robberies, including the fatal stabbing on the train, a fatal assault near North Capitol and New York Ave, and lots of other robberies with guns and knives... all happening to strangers walking by. I've heard it's due to an increase in the use of a synthetic drug. It's scary because it makes it seem like people are just out of their minds and aren't aware of what they're doing. I have started only taking cabs if I come home after dark, but I'm still taking the metro during daylight hours. I make sure to be aware of my surroundings and don't listen to music or talk on the phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The area is fairly decent and in 2 years will be more than fine. There is about $500M of investment coming in the next 18 months, which will bring more housing, commercial and retail.

MORE commercial? There's a huge empty office building adjacent to the tracks, and one half-filled building visible on your right-hand side as you approach Union Station. And the Elevation apartment building looks half-full. Overall, I am not impressed with NoMa. It lacks some flavor--sure you can put up shiny (empty) buildings, but where are the tenants that command this new office space? NoMa still seems half-there to me. And all of the papers continue to hype it up, unfortunately. NoMa is not happening ,whatever people try to make it into.

[Anonymous]

It's a bit sketchy and as a pp mentioned, building new buildings does not stray criminals away.

It's more so of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Anonymous]

I had a scary incident yesterday with a young scraggly looking white guy. I noticed him start to cross NY ave near the McDonalds and just stop in the middle of the street. As I passed and looked him he lunged, yelled "Fuck off!" and ran away. I've seen this guy before and he doesn't seem violent or aggressive, but with everything else going on in the area I was very freaked out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a negative opinion of employers who relocate to these cheaper, sketchier areas to save money.

But when home owners do it, it's ok?