Date: 10/5/2022
To: The NYU Community
From: Fountain Walker, Vice President for Global Campus Safety
Re: This Week’s Incidents in Brooklyn
I want to address several aspects of the incidents we have had in Brooklyn this week and the sense of unease they may be causing for members of our community, coming, as they do, against the backdrop of a post-pandemic upswing in crime in New York.
This Week’s Incidents
We had three criminal incidents near our facilities in Downtown Brooklyn about which we issued alerts: an attempted robbery that involved an NYU student, an aggravated assault involving a knife (in which we believe no NYU community members were involved), and a round of gunshots in MetroTech (in which no one was hurt).
All three incidents are under investigation by law enforcement, with the gunfire incident under particular scrutiny; reducing gun violence is a particular focus for city officials and the police.
Steps the University Is Taking
We are communicating with police leadership and City Hall about our concerns for the safety of our people and our neighbors in Downtown Brooklyn and the need for a sustainable, long-term approach to enhancing safety in the area. We know from past experience that when city agencies, not-for-profits, and local institutions and neighbors are focused on safety and collaborate with one another, quality of life can be enhanced, as recent improvements in Washington Square Park demonstrate.
Campus Safety will also be stepping up its presence and be on a heightened footing in and around our Brooklyn facilities.
Alert Notifications
Some questions have come up around the notifications we send out.
Our alert notifications are meant to give you information to enhance your safety, though some are more urgent than others. The easiest way to understand the types of alerts and their urgency is to watch
the video posted on this page. Any text message or email with the words “NYU Alert” is conveying urgent, important information; pay close attention to those messages. We issued an “NYU Alert” in response to the gunshots, for example.
That NYU Alert included the phrase “Run, Hide, Fight,” which confused some recipients. “Run, Hide, Fight” is a simple, memorable phrase widely recommended by law enforcement authorities — the
FBI,
state emergency agencies, and
others — to provide guidance for people who may find themselves in an active shooter situation.
Resources
We understand that the very alerts we use to convey safety information can, paradoxically, sometimes make a person feel less safe. I’ve spent most of my career in campus safety departments, and I’ve heard that a lot. So, for many, I know this has been a challenging week.
Campus Safety regularly offers sessions and training on enhancing your personal safety. Upcoming events can be found on our
main landing page, or specially scheduled for groups upon request. Campus Safety has also made its own “
Run. Hide. Fight” video for NYU students and employees, which we encourage you to watch. This video does cover topics that you may find uncomfortable or upsetting.
We have resources to help if you are feeling the need for additional support, or if you feel scared or traumatized, or if our training materials cause additional distress. I want to remind everyone of the 24/7 availability of help and support for students through NYU’s Wellness Exchange and for employees through NYU’s Employee Assistance Program. If you are a student needing additional support but you’re unsure where to begin, email the Office of the Dean of Students or call (212) 998-4410.
Conclusion
The safety and well-being of NYU community members is among the University’s foremost goals. I know that personal safety is very much on everyone’s mind. The Campus Safety Dept. is determined to help foster an environment where NYU’s academic mission can carry on free from fear, and to respond promptly and connect people to emergency services when needed.
And let’s remember to support those in our community who are feeling anxious or vulnerable; their feelings are understandable and valid. When we help one another, when we support and steady one another, we help foster resilience for everyone.