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Crime Prevention

Being safe is a partnership between students, faculty and staff, and Public Safety. NYU provides information on best practices on how to be secure in and around the campus.

NYU Protects Them

  • With uniformed security officers who are on duty 24x7x365
  • Our emergency number (212) 998-2222
  • Emergency Call boxes are located throughout the main campus
  • Green light buildings are staffed 24 hours a day by Public Safety Officers
  • Safe Havens — approximately 75 in number serve as places to go for an NYU community member in distress
  • Transportation Services — provides free transportation from residence halls to the main campus. Safe Ride Program exists from 12 midnight to 7:00am. Call (212) 992-VANS for more information.

Safety in the City

  • NYU students are statistically safer than the average city residents, who are safer than most other large city residents. However, this is a major city and is not without criminal activity.
  • Students need to be aware of their surroundings, walk with a positive bearing. If you use an electonic device to listen to music, keep the volume to a reasonable level.
  • Trust your instincts; if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable, get away as quickly as possible. Make casual eye contact with the person making you feel uncomfortable just to let them know you are aware of their presence.
  • Travel in groups of two or more (the buddy system)
  • Let a roommate or friend know where you are going and when you plan on returning.
  • Be aware of pickpocket situations — crowded areas e.g. subways, concerts, etc.
  • Use Gear Guards (available through Public Safety) to protect back packs, etc.
  • Men - carry wallets in front pants pocket.
  • Women - use bags, pocketbooks etc. that zipper well; keep pocketbooks on your lap when in restaurants etc. Avoid the backs of chairs or under the table, carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow. Avoid bags that clasp or snap shut.
  • Beware of scam artists offering big returns for little or no money (often referred to as good faith money). If it seems too good to be true - IT IS.
  • The best time to use ATMs is during the daylight hours. Use bank affiliated ATMs whenever possible.
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; avoid counting or displaying money on the street.
  • Minimize the number of credit cards carried.
  • Carry money for emergencies e.g. cab fare, quarters for phone calls
  • When traveling, plan your route ahead of time, know how to get to where you are going.
  • Subway stops with lit green globes are open 24 hours a day, red globes means entry is closed, red over white coloring is a metro-card only entrance. It is always a good idea to have a metro-card with a sufficient balance.
  • On subways — where possible stay in the token booth area until your train arrives
  • On the platform — look for a black and white striped board. That is where the car with the conductor will stop. You can also ride in the first car where the train operator is located.
  • When entering a subway car look around. Does anyone make you feel uneasy, if so, move.
  • Try sitting in the middle of the subway car away from the doorway.
  • Keep chains and jewelry hidden. Turn gemstones in toward your palms.
  • On the street — Travel well-lit and populated areas. Avoid "short cuts." If you must travel alone late at night, call someone at your destination to let them know you are coming and how long it will take you to arrive.
  • If a car approaches you and asks for directions, speak with the occupants at a safe distance no matter what.
  • If you feel you are being followed cross the street, if that person follows you again, recross the street. Still being followed look for a open store etc. begin to run call out "FIRE!!", or call out to someone on the street as if you know them.
NYU Protects

 

Safety if You're Going Out to a Bar or Club

  • Do not go out alone. Always go out in groups of 2 or more and travel on well-lit and populated streets.
  • Tell your friends/roommates if you’re leaving, with whom, where you’re planning to go and when you’ll see them back at home.
  • Do not accept open drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) from others who you do not know or do not trust; this includes drinks that come in a glass.
  • Never leave your drink unattended or turn your back on your table.
  • Do not drink from open beverage sources like punch bowls, pitchers or tubs.
  • Keep your eyes and ears open; if friends appear to be "too intoxicated" for what they have consumed, leave the party or club immediately, and return home or seek medical attention. Do not return to the club or party!
  • Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • Know where you need to go and the safest way to get there.
  • Trust your instincts: If you sense something is wrong, get away from the situation.

Safety on Campus

  • When in the library and study hall, dining facilities, etc. keep wallets, cell phones and laptops with you. These are the type of property that are commonly reported stolen. Crimes of Opportunity can be minimized by safeguarding your property. Buy a laptop security cable and use it.
  • In your residence, always close and lock your door even if leave for just a minute. Insist your roommate(s) do the same.
  • Establish rules with your roommate(s) regarding visitors (above and beyond NYU Housing rules).
  • Be wary of people striking up a conversation with you in Washington Square Park or on the street. Be especially aware of people looking for a place to stay even if they seem very nice and harmless.

 

NYU Protects

Facts for Parents

Button: display or hide How safe is the campus?

The University is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff, and we strive to ensure the safety of the campus community by employing a large, well-trained, 24/7 corps of public safety officers; by making sure the grounds are well lit, well patrolled, and well traveled; by offering education and guidance so that members of the community can effectively contribute to their own safety; and by cultivating and maintaining a close, excellent relationship with the New York City Police department and New York City governmental authorities. New York University is located in one of the safest areas of the New York City, the safest large city in the U.S., and our campus has a reputation for attentiveness to security and – particularly given its geographical size, location, and population size – for a relatively low amount of crime, particularly serious crime . Still, crime does occur on and around our campus, as it does on all college campuses, and we are constantly striving to improve campus security and emphasizing the importance of incorporating safety into one’s daily routine. Campus crime statistics are updated daily and are available 24 hours a day on the Public Safety web page (http://www.nyu.edu/public.safety/policies/crimestatistics.html) and at Public Safety’s Central Command Center, which is located in the center of campus at 14 Washington Place.

Our annual campus security and fire safety report are published every fall and, are available online and at
various locations around campus.

Parent Fact Sheet

How safe is the campus?
The University is committed to the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff, and we strive to ensure the safety of the campus community by employing a large, well-trained, 24/7 corps of public safety officers; by making sure the grounds are well lit, well patrolled, and well traveled; by offering education and guidance so that members of the community can effectively contribute to their own safety; and by cultivating and maintaining a close, excellent relationship with the New York City Police department and New York City governmental authorities. New York University is located in one of the safest areas of the New York City, the safest large city in the U.S., and our campus has a reputation for attentiveness to security and – particularly given its geographical size, location, and population size – for a relatively low amount of crime, particularly serious crime . Still, crime does occur on and around our campus, as it does on all college campuses, and we are constantly striving to improve campus security and emphasizing the importance of incorporating safety into one’s daily routine. Campus crime statistics are updated daily and are available 24 hours a day on the Public Safety web page (http://www.nyu.edu/public.safety/policies/crimestatistics.html) and at Public Safety’s Central Command Center, which is located in the center of campus at 14 Washington Place. Our annual campus security and fire safety report are published every fall and, are available online and at
various locations around campus.

Who provides campus security?
The University Public Safety Department is the principal provider of security. The force, which is led by a former three star chief of the New York City Police Department, includes 330 uniformed NYS state certified Public Safety officers
and 20 mid- and senior level supervisors who serve the campus community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The University Public Safety Department, often working in conjunction with other campus offices, offer crime prevention
and security programs, including training in theft prevention, alcohol/drug awareness, sexual assault prevention, and personal defense. Transportation services, emergency phones, a safe haven program, green light buildings and an
escort service are also part of campus safety programming.

What about the safety of students living in the residence halls?
At least one uniformed Public Safety Officer is assigned to the entrance of every residence hall on a 24/7 basis to check every person entering the building and maintain a safe environment. The Department works closely with the Residential Education Department, its staff, and NYU’s 300+ resident assistants (RA’s) and 50 Peer Educators to offer special programs on safety as well as on assault, theft, and rape prevention; those programs begin as students arrive for Welcome Week. The residence halls are equipped with fire and life-safety systems , and fire evacuation drills are conducted five times per year. Students are issued keys at check-in, and every hall has established procedures and guidelines to help ensure the safety of its residents. All secondary hall entrances are locked 24 hours a day. Visitor and guest policies vary from hall to hall, but all hall guests must register.

Does Public Safety collaborate with other NYU offices?
Public Safety works closely with all the members of the Wellness Exchange, particularly the student health center and residential education, to ensure the health and well being of all NYU students. Through the 24/7 Wellness Exchange hotline, students can speak to a counselor regarding a health/mental health matter and the Wellness Exchange frequently involves Public Safety where it is appropriate to handle situations.

What about getting around campus after dark?
The University’s transportation system runs 3 different bus routes from 7am to 12 midnight that covers the main campus and off campus facilities. From 12 midnight to 7am, a free, on call “safe ride program” is available for those students needing transportation from one University facility to another. To use the service students simply call 212-992-VANS and give their pickup and drop-off locations.

What can new students do to enhance their safety at NYU?
NYU is a major international university, with students coming from throughout the U.S. and all over the world. Many students come from locations where the custom involves taking few precautions. It is a good idea for all students to make crime prevention a habit by taking responsibility for locking doors when away from their rooms, not leaving valuables unattended, using common sense, and being aware of their surroundings. Public Safety is available to answer any questions about campus crime prevention. The 24 hour command center telephone number is (212)998-2222. There's also more information on the Public Safety website www.nyu.edu/public.safety.

By authority of: Jules A. Martin, Vice President, NYU, Department of Public Safety
Prepared By: Jay Zwicker, CPP Assistant Director, NYU, Department of Public Safety

2012-2013 NYU Campus Security Report (pdf)

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