Fearing AC Crime, Stockton Carnegie Students Want Classes Moved to Galloway

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Crime in some parts of Atlantic City is so bad, a group of Stockton Carnegie Center students want their classes moved to the Galloway main campus. Alexa Callens is leading the charge. She’s had enough. Alexa is a masters student, taking Stockton classes at the Carnegie Center building in downtown Atlantic City.

This Stockton campus is located within CRDA controlled Tourism District on Pacific Ave, right across from an X-Rated shop.

Story originally posted on Cat Country 107.3

Stockton Carnegie is just a short walk to needle exchanges, rehabs, ex-offender housing, Tennessee Ave, and well-known drug corners.

Some of the most crime ridden parts of Atlantic City. The Schultz-Hill Foundation is also located on this block. Fearing for her well being and the safety of other students, Alexa created an online petition for these MSW (Masters of Social Work) students who attend classes at Carnegie Atlantic City. Sign the Petition website

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Stockton Carnegie students want classes moved to safer Galloway campus.

Alexa Callens: Safety surrounding the Carnegie Center in Atlantic City is virtually non-existent.

  • Multiple cars broken into and/or stolen
  • Students need security officers to walk them to/from class
  • Parking attendant (usually not present) supposed to be watching lot
  • Drug use in the parking lot
  • Multiple crimes occurred around Carnegie. Many don’t want to leave building

Alexa Callens: We still are at an unfair advantage compared to other students located on main campus. We worry about our safety and our belongings! As masters students, we contribute the same fees and tuition dollars as other students who attend classes at the main campus in Galloway, feeling safe.

We understand that theft and safety issues may be anywhere, however; the crime rate in Atlantic City exceeds that of the Galloway Township campus. At no point should students have to feel unsafe while trying to continue their education.

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Alexa Callens created an online petition for MSW (Masters of Social Work) students who attend school in AC. Please sign. All signatures will be presented to the Dean of Students. Sign the Petition website

Stephen A. I was a member of the Stockton board of directors during the development of Carnegie. I often expressed my concern for overall safety for everyone at Carnegie. Unfortunately certain individuals on the board and other members of the Stockton community who have no idea of the real world prevailed and this is the predicted outcome. These are the same individuals who managed to discredit a good number of us who do live in reality as unpleasant that may be at times.

Former Student. Stockton has never cared from day 1. Students began bringing up safety issues. We were required to complete evaluations at the end of every single semester regarding attending school in this location. Regardless of the countless complaints and feelings we shared about safety concerns – nothing has ever been done about it. Being in AC doesn’t make us more culturally competent (the “reason” behind having programs there) its been making everyone have even more negative feelings towards the city and our school. When new students apply for the MSW program at Stockton – it is not shared on any online information that the program is in AC. Many of us who didn’t attend Stockton for undergrad didn’t find this out until we attended orientation only a few weeks before the start of the year. I would have never applied if I knew what the school subjects their students to.

Former Student. I did my MBA at Stockton in 2013. I work in the city now. I see the blight everyday. It’s not a Stockton problem, but a city problem. Stockton should use its leverage to force the city to actually take the blight and crime infested Pacific avenues more seriously and clean it up. It’s been this way for years with no sign of changing.

Melissa M. I remember leaving late nights and men standing around the parking lot, calling on female students and trying to lure them. Stockton is aware of human trafficking and should know how predominant it is in that area. It’s a matter of time before a student is assaulted or harmed.

I put two daughters through Stockton. If they were forced to take classes in AC, I would have sent them to Rowan. I worked as a law enforcement officer in AC for many years, It’s just not safe.

Susan D. When our daughter decided to go after her Masters Degree we were thrilled. However, we assumed that her safety would NOT be in jeopardy. We expected that her classes would be held on the Main Campus, not in the middle of Atlantic City with little, to no, security for a class that lets out late at night and is mostly women. As I understand it, there is supposed to be security taking her to her car – there isn’t!

There’s supposed to be security watching the lots – again, there isn’t! I see absolutely NO reason why these students should be at risk of muggings, rape, their car being stolen or broken into, or being crashed into walls (which has happened most recently) I have lost count of the cars that have been broken into from last year to this year. This is absolutely absurd.

I attended Stockton for Bachelors of Social Work and was planning to attend for Masters; however, when I found out classes were not on main campus, I chose another school.

Stephanie S. I attend the MSW (Masters of Social Work) classes at Carnegie Center and it’s truly dangerous. Drugs distribution, prostitution, sex stores, strip clubs, etc.

John O. The location of these classes is a dark and dangerous for young women to be alone. Move these students to a safe environment before there’s a tragedy.

Christina O. Our children should be focused on education, not stressing about being mugged, raped, car window being smashed out etc.

Melissa T. I wouldn’t even apply to the MSW (Masters of Social Work) program knowing I would have to travel in and out of AC. Especially the area in which it’s in! Drugs, theft, violence. Why would Stockton pick an area they have no control in protecting their students?

Danielle M. As an alumni, I never understood why the MSW program was based in AC. With all the tuition students pay, they should never be subjected to unsafe environments or circumstances.

Anonymous. I’m a Stockton student, and I attend main campus. Looking forward to the opening of the Atlantic City campus, however I do not want to be in fear whilst there. I hope this is not a glimpse of the way security will be handled at the new campus. I also do not want these negative events to deter from the positives surrounding the opening of the new campus. Stockton needs to fix this existing problem AND be proactive so as to avoid negative implications of poor safety. A student’s safety is enough to make them decide to attend a different school, and I am sure the university does not want that.

Ruth G. I’m sick and tired of having to worry about my car while in class. Last year a student’s car was stolen, another student’s car was broken into and last night on our first day back another student’s car was also broken into.

Sign the petition. Keep students safe.

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