Safety and Housing

There have been many issues surrounding safety in the UWM area. I live about four blocks from campus and I have always felt safe. However, lately, its been questionable. Two weeks ago I was getting ready to leave my apartment before class around 12 (Noon) and a woman was robbed in broad daylight right outside my apartment. There have even been countless incidents on campus as well. I even heard that the UWM police is hiring a police officer just to look for suspicious people around the campus area. Other safety concerns that have come to my attention in the last couple weeks have involved the safety of pedestrians crossing the street, people on bikes and mopeds, etc. One of my good friends from high school, Jake, was hit by a car on April 4th over by MSOE while he was driving his moped. The driver of the car ran a red light and hit Jake. Jake was not wearing a helmet. He remains in the ICU at Froedtert hospital with head trauma. He still hasn't woke up. I remember hearing of a couple other accidents recently involving pedestrians in Milwaukee.
So my question this week is what do you think of safety around campus and even in Milwaukee? Do you feel safe? Are there precautions that you take to insure your safety? Do you walk alone or with someone? What do you think this means for the future of UWM and the campus area? If you were coming here as a freshman, would you live in the new freshmen residence hall on the outskirts of the Riverwest area?

Another topic that many are faced with this time of year is housing. I know I have been in the search process for a couple of weeks now. Any success stories out there? Good landlords or companies? Advice for price?