This letter is in response to the one by Cindy Roach of Dover in Friday's paper.

She made the sweeping declarative statement that, "It is not safe to be in downtown York, even during the day."

Come on, Cindy. Are your life's activities so defined by fear?

Your fear of downtown York is, to use your word, "absurd." You color downtown York with a broad, slanted, emotional response that is not warranted.

Does York have issues of crime and safety? Of course, but so does Dover, Glen Rock, Spring Grove, Hanover and every other town, city and suburb in the United States.

I have lived and worked in center-city, downtown York for more than 30 years. I own a home within four blocks of the square.

For years, I have managed to survive -- pleasantly, I might add. I walked to and from work. I walk to Central Market, Farmer's Market, interesting restaurants, The Historic Society, the library and lots of other places within downtown York.

I meet friends for lunch, dinner, unique shopping. All within the confines of downtown York. And I do so without senseless fear. No one is lurking behind every phone pole.

Am I aware of my surroundings and make sensible choices on my activities? You bet. I make choices that help me to live and maintain a positive quality of life. I hope you do too. Be safe/Be Smart is more than a slogan.

If you base your decisions on incidents in the newspapers, are you able to go anywhere? Bad things happen in Dover -- even in Dover.

If you want to live in fear, please feel free to do so. Never leave your home. Never expand your world. Live in fear if you choose to do so, but don't color downtown York with your negativity.

I'm not sure revamping the square is a great idea. Who knows what impact that may have. Maybe creating a "closed to traffic" shopping district on Beaver Street between King and Philadelphia Streets might be more effective. I don't know. But what I do know is that downtown York has a lot to offer.

Think of this: I'm going to walk this letter to The York Dispatch; have a wonderful lunch at a great restaurant (The Left Bank/so good); enjoy shopping for organic veggies (and probably a delicious, decadent cupcake as well) at Central Market; stroll through Cherry Lane, (catch a little of the live music); go to the drug store; stop at the Junior League Shop (bargains, yes!); rest a bit and enjoy a latte at The New Grounds Coffee Café and finally come home to enjoy an evening on the patio -- all within downtown York. All without spending a dime on gasoline. It will be a lovely day.

Take your head out of the sand, Cindy. Look around. You just might be real surprised.

Marcella Marshall

York