What's the area around the 95th/Dan Ryan El station in Chicago like?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have a friend - a petite, why, white female - who has to be at a nighttime function near the 95th/Dan Ryan El stop, and she’s planning on just riding/walking it. Based on rep, I told her that she’s smoking crack - that area’s notorious for being a dangerous ghetto.

Of course, I’ve never been there.

What’s the deal? Is it that bad? It’s waaaaay south on Chicago’s south side - is it south enough to be out of the poop and in a more decent and safe area, or is she taking her safety into her own hands?

2

If you know the address of the El Station, http://12.17.79.6/ctznicam/ctznicam.asp?cmd=intr will show you all the crime committed there in the last 14 days.

3

Heh heh. I’m a petite black female who rides the Red Line to the south side at night regularly. My main beef now is how the 79th street station has totally become a hangout for Gangsta Disciples, and how I’m pissed that I managed to notice this, but no police action has been taken (they’ve been there since at least the beginning of September).

But to answer the question, the area around 95th isn’t exactly safe, but I wouldn’t be scared to walk there. But that’s me. I would advise our friend to either go with someone else, or to carry some mace or a switchblade or something. Honestly, it’s not such a good idea to walk that area alone at night, presumably all dressed up. It’s actually a really BAD idea, now that I think of it. The chances are high that she could get hassled, and while I know I could (and have) handled situations like that, I don’t know what her comfort level is, or if she feels like dealing with that sort of shit.

Aside from that, they’re doing major construction on the Red Line on the South Side, especially during off-hours, so the train ride could take awhile. It’s annoying as hell.

Basically, she should just drive or take a cab. It’s better than dealing with construction, gangs, and assholes. Can you tell how upset I am over the Red Line situation?

4

Take a taxi, think of it as an insurance policy.

5

I wouldn’t go there at night, and I’m not so petite (but I am a white woman). The general rule of thumb - until you’ve learned the area - is to avoid all streets in Chicago without names after dark. The numbered streets can be bad news.

6

She’s NUTS. Don’t let her do it.

7

** Ichini Sanshigo** pretty much nailed it. I used to manage a bus company terminal at 91st, right off the Ryan, so I know the area fairly well. During the day she could reasonably not be hassled, but at night, she either needs to have someone with her, or find alternate transportation door-to-door.