Great Moments in WFMU History #27

Broken Windows and Bullet Holes - by Ken Freedman and Liz Berg

WFMU’s old house on Springdale Ave. was located in a crime-ridden sector of East Orange, NJ, adjacent to the Upsala College campus. WFMU was not immune to the area’s problems, which became evident after a visiting band’s van was stolen directly from the front driveway within a week of the station’s move from a basement dormitory on the Upsala campus.

This initial van theft foreshadowed countless staff muggings, a beating or two, and many vandalized vehicles. One time a police chase ended on WFMU’s front lawn, where a car thief bailed out of the stolen vehicle and the East Orange cops opened fire. Another time, gunshots rang out during an outdoor staff meeting. Staffers discovered that the East Orange police were engaged in some leisurely post-BBQ target practice on the abandoned Upsala soccer field just across the backyard fence.

Illustration by Edward Lasala

 

Comments

[em2]

That's some scary stuff. I've wondered for a while now, though, if FMU's new location is much nicer. How well do the DJs (late night in particular) fare coming out of the station building in Jersey City?

[Woody]

I held down a number of late night time slots not too long ago. The area around WFMU is totally dead that late (rather nice actually) and I don't really remember ever seeing other people at all, although the number of rats outside the Path station can be particularly frightening.