You click on the news and are bombarded by morbid reports of murders and robberies. But how often is Bexley a hot spot for crimes like these?
Senior Jordan Allen said that the omnipresent police force makes Bexley a safe place to live.
“I feel pretty safe because I always see policemen driving around,” Allen said.
Teacher Nancy Mallory agrees.
“I think that the police cars are helpful because there are lots of eyes paying attention to what is going on,” Mallory said.
Montrose teacher Viki Rogers lived in Berwick before moving to Bexley. Rogers said she especially appreciates the Bexley police for their prompt responses.
“I was in shock when my car was stolen [in Berwick],” Rogers said.
Rogers said that she called the Columbus police, and they didn’t come until later that afternoon.
“[In Berwick], you’re put on a priority list,” Rogers said. “In Bexley, you get an immediate response from police and fire.”
In addition to an effective police force, teacher Dave Valentine said that the feel of the neighborhood in Bexley also contributes to a safe environment.
“[Bexley is a] strong neighborhood, where neighbors know and look out for each other, Valentine said.”
Sophomore Madison Bruning agrees.
“I feel pretty safe because the houses are close together, and I know that there is always someplace I can go,” Bruning said.
Science teacher Jim Tatman said that “many Bexley residents are out and about during the course of the day,” which contributes to a feeling of safety in Bexley.
Rogers agrees that seeing neighbors around makes Bexley more comforting.
“I feel safe because there are always people walking their dogs and exercising,” Rogers said. “Bexley is a community that looks out for each other.”
Junior Adam Gray said that even though his bike was stolen from the Bexley Public Library when he was in third grade, he still feels that Bexley is a safe community.
“[Bexley] is a tight-knit community,” Gray said. “For the most part, it is safe.”
Junior Julie Gardner feels the same way.
She said that the closeness of her neighborhood in South Bexley makes it feel safer.
“[Bexley] is such a small community, and I’ve lived here my whole life,” Gardner said. “South Bexley is very homey, and we look out for each other.”
Though she believes Bexley is relatively safe, teacher Lisa Gatterdam was reminded that one can never be too safe.
A former student of Gatterdam’s was kidnapped and taken to the South end of Columbus, where she was almost murdered.
“That is a reason why I just don’t assume I am safe anywhere,” Gatterdam said.
Because of that incident, Gatterdam said that residents should still take precautions.
“I think Bexley is very safe if you are careful, but you need to be careful everywhere,” Gatterdam said. “It’s just common sense.”
Tatman agrees that although Bexley is one of the safer areas in central Ohio, you can still never be too safe.
“A combination of good schools, strong municipal support and conscientious residents make Bexley a special place to live and raise a family,” Tatman said. “This does not mean, however, that awareness of safety issues should be diminished.”
