Gonzaga neighborhood concern

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We will find out today if we got in but I have a growing concern about this school with 4 shootings in the last month and 1 this week. I suspect other schools like SJC and DeMatha and Va Catholic schools may get more attendance because of this. Anyone else feel this way?

I'm an attorney who works in law enforcement in the building next door. The area is fine. I've never seen or heard any criminal activity, walk freely to within the block and within several blocks of the school with no issues. There are homeless people in the area but I'd feel perfectly fine sending my son (or even daughter) to any school at that location. The campus is also very secure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

20 years ago is 2004, not 1984. But, more importantly, you are missing the point. The claim was that Gonzaga is currently a less desirable option because of recent events. The rebuttal was that Gonzaga should be just as desirable now as it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Your anecdote has nothing to do with either. But thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

In the 90’s Members of Congress were not carjacked or assaulted in their apartment buildings. The rules have changed, unfortunately, whether folks want to admit it or not.

[Anonymous]

The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

different times indeed

[Anonymous]

Have a freshman who takes the Metro every day. He loves it. Riding the Metro grows independence and comfort getting around any city on public transportation. I have not given crime concerns any thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That area is no more dangerous today than it was 20 years ago. It’s an urban school in a major city. It may not be for everyone. Crime will always be an issue. But, despite the general increase in crime (thank you, Charles Allen), it remains the case that the odds of something happening going to/from Union Station are incredibly low.

This is true but my H got caught in the middle of a gun fight in the 80's so not such a great argument.

20 years ago is 2004, not 1984. But, more importantly, you are missing the point. The claim was that Gonzaga is currently a less desirable option because of recent events. The rebuttal was that Gonzaga should be just as desirable now as it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Your anecdote has nothing to do with either. But thanks for sharing.

Except it’s more like the 80’s now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

different times indeed

Actually during the DC riots in the 60’s it was closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

In the 90’s Members of Congress were not carjacked or assaulted in their apartment buildings. The rules have changed, unfortunately, whether folks want to admit it or not.

I mean, you're just wrong about the bolded and ignorant to think it's true.

1992: Congressman Mugged on Capitol Hill

"The mugging of the representative, an 18-year member who serves on the Appropriations Committee, is one of several recent attacks on Capitol Hill, all of which have garnered attention far beyond the District. One Hill staffer was killed during an apparent robbery attempt earlier this year, and the wife of a senator was mugged outside the door of their home."

Took a simple google to find that.

In 1968, during the riots, the neighborhood around Gonzaga burned to the ground. The school was saved only because of its deep connections to the community. As explained in the school's academic catalogue:

"In the early 1970s, serious thought was given to closing Gonzaga altogether, or at least moving to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs. Neither happened. The Maryland Province of Jesuits declared its total commitment to Gonzaga as a school serving the inner city of Washington. It sent Jesuits there to back up its confidence in the school."

Since at least the 1950s, Gonzaga has been in a neighborhood in which most of the families who attend it would not want to live. Not only has that fact not stopped generations of boys from having a great experience, it has helped enhance their experience. Alums with as diverse views as Ken Cuccinelli and Martin O'Malley cite going into an impoverished part of the city and serving the community there as formative in their lives.

[Anonymous]

My kid is a 10th grader and takes the metro to G every day. Fortunately he has had no issues.
And we never pick him up at the school, not even after dark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only time I've ever heard the school being closed in its 200 year history due to "neighborhood concern" or crime was January 7 & 8, 2021.

different times indeed

Actually during the DC riots in the 60’s it was closed.

Ok. Closed twice. Riots in the 60’s and the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Otherwise, there’s not been overwhelming “neighborhood concern” in its 200 year history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended Gonzaga in the mid 90's and we tutored elementary school kids in the Sursum Corda housing projects behind the school (since redeveloped). We'd just walk there in groups after school.

An older dude from the projects told us that messing with us (Gonzaga students) was just about the dumbest thing anyone from the neighborhood could do as far as having police come down on them.

We had khakis, backpacks, and maybe $10 cash. It was pointless. Not to mention that we were tutoring elementary school kids there.

In the 90’s Members of Congress were not carjacked or assaulted in their apartment buildings. The rules have changed, unfortunately, whether folks want to admit it or not.

I mean, you're just wrong about the bolded and ignorant to think it's true.

1992: Congressman Mugged on Capitol Hill

"The mugging of the representative, an 18-year member who serves on the Appropriations Committee, is one of several recent attacks on Capitol Hill, all of which have garnered attention far beyond the District. One Hill staffer was killed during an apparent robbery attempt earlier this year, and the wife of a senator was mugged outside the door of their home."

Took a simple google to find that.

In 1968, during the riots, the neighborhood around Gonzaga burned to the ground. The school was saved only because of its deep connections to the community. As explained in the school's academic catalogue:

"In the early 1970s, serious thought was given to closing Gonzaga altogether, or at least moving to the Maryland or Virginia suburbs. Neither happened. The Maryland Province of Jesuits declared its total commitment to Gonzaga as a school serving the inner city of Washington. It sent Jesuits there to back up its confidence in the school."

Since at least the 1950s, Gonzaga has been in a neighborhood in which most of the families who attend it would not want to live. Not only has that fact not stopped generations of boys from having a great experience, it has helped enhance their experience. Alums with as diverse views as Ken Cuccinelli and Martin O'Malley cite going into an impoverished part of the city and serving the community there as formative in their lives.

It was definitely bad in the early 90s. But back then there was an incoming tide of investment in DC. But it’s much worse now and it’s not clear we are even approaching the bottom because there is has an outgoing tide of jobs and investment. This week two middle school kids were mugged on Capitol Hill. It’s so bad that the Capitol Hill residents, who have a pretty high tolerance for city living, are trying to recall their local council person. Look, Gonzaga is an amazing school, but it’s in a tough location.

[Anonymous]

I work very close by. White lady. Take metro. Metro has really stepped up security presence in the last year or so and l appreciate the taller fare gates being phased in. The sense of lawlessness that it had for a while during COVID isn’t there any more (l still took it during those days anyways). I wouldn’t bat an eyelid sending my teenaged son or nieces to the neigbhorhood daily, esp to Gonzaga. There are many homeless people around but l don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone. If you’re surprised or worried about it maybe walk through a few times to get used to it. Truly l think it’s nbd and the kids are safe.