Safety?

PhilCo · 10-18-2009, 01:47 PM

Does anyone know what Columbia does for campus security and stuff? It felt safe while I was there, but I'm just wondering what they do to protect their students. Thanks!

snorlaxative · 10-18-2009, 01:49 PM

I lol'd at this

thebeef · 10-18-2009, 02:53 PM

lots of public safety cars everywhere, cops abundant, dont even worry, its fine. plus morningside really is not a bad neighborhood at al

Columbia2002 · 10-18-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Does anyone know what Columbia does for campus security and stuff? It felt safe while I was there, but I'm just wondering what they do to protect their students

There's only so much not-too-highly paid and unarmed rent-a-cops can do. Many of them are very nice people and are fun to chitchat with, but they're mainly a deterrent and probably wouldn't be able to do much in a serious situation.

hellojan · 10-18-2009, 11:00 PM

I agree with 2002. Campus security is just a presence, a deterrent. In the event of a problem, intervention won't be something you can really expect from them.

That said, just don't set yourself up. I once saw a guy get off the train carrying an open laptop in front of him, watching a movie, and listening along with massive headphones. It was late and he was unaware of his surroundings. Stumbling around, the world his living room, he opened himself up for all kinds of abuse. Heck, I wanted to rob him.

Columbia2002 · 10-18-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

I once saw a guy get off the train carrying an open laptop in front of him, watching a movie, and listening along with massive headphones. It was late and he was unaware of his surroundings. Stumbling around, the world his living room, he opened himself up for all kinds of abuse. Heck, I wanted to rob him.

On the other hand, I've seen big black guys carrying open laptops on the subway playing rap videos and I don't think they're open to much abuse.

hellojan · 10-18-2009, 11:22 PM

Well, there's often an exception. This guy, however, was basically a young Mr. Bean.

CULion10 · 10-19-2009, 05:07 PM

Safety on campus is taken very seriously, and because of this campus is a very safe place. First of all, our neighborhood, Morningside Heights, is one of the safest neighborhoods in all of New York. On top of that, Columbia Public Safety operates 24 hours a day patrolling campus and the surrounding environment to make sure we are safe. I know that I feel completely safe walking across campus or in the surrounding neighborhood at any time day or night.

We also have a number you can call if you're feeling unsafe, and Public Safety will come pick you up and take you in a squad car back to your dorm if you'd like. Not to mention we have the emergency call boxes scattered all over the neighborhood.

jroc92 · 10-19-2009, 06:00 PM

Columbia was voted safest Urban campus in study done by UPenn. Even UPenn didn't rank that fairly in the study.

Columbia2002 · 10-20-2009, 12:46 AM

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First of all, our neighborhood, Morningside Heights, is one of the safest neighborhoods in all of New York.

Let's see... neighborhoods in NYC I'd clearly rather be alone at 3am on a Saturday night than Morningside Heights (I'm talking real Morningside Heights -- like Amsterdam at 120th, not Broadway at 115th-116th):

Upper East Side

Upper West Side

Midtown East

Midtown West

Gramercy

Chelsea

Murray Hill

Union Square

Tribeca

Washington Square / Astor Place / St Marks area

Chinatown

That leaves us, what? Harlem, the neighborhoods full of projects in the Lower East Side / Alphabet City, deserted Financial District, etc.

Quote:

On top of that, Columbia Public Safety operates 24 hours a day patrolling campus and the surrounding environment to make sure we are safe.

And that stopped the murder last year? Nobody can "make sure we are safe." And moreover, CU security isn't making sure you're safe in the way that the SS is making sure the President is safe. A statement like this reflects the maturity of a 4th grader.

Quote:

I know that I feel completely safe walking across campus or in the surrounding neighborhood at any time day or night.

Anyone who feels completely safe walking at late at night alone anywhere has major issues. You're never completely safe anywhere, and you need to recognize that.

Quote:

We also have a number you can call if you're feeling unsafe, and Public Safety will come pick you up and take you in a squad car back to your dorm if you'd like. Not to mention we have the emergency call boxes scattered all over the neighborhood.

This is too funny. How the flying f is someone going to get to a f'ing call box if they're being raped or mugged or stabbed? Victims of crimes don't "feel unsafe." They likely get approached all of the sudden and are defenseless. How many times do you think a silly call box ever prevented someone from being mugged?

Denzera · 10-20-2009, 02:59 AM

Your fearmongering does nothing to change the fact that statistically, Morningside Heights is the 2nd best neighborhood in the city (after the UES) for violent crime per capita, and well below average for property crime rates.

Source

Quote:

I once saw a guy get off the train carrying an open laptop in front of him, watching a movie, and listening along with massive headphones. It was late and he was unaware of his surroundings. Stumbling around, the world his living room, he opened himself up for all kinds of abuse. Heck, I wanted to rob him.

What, you expected me to turn off There's Something About Mary right during the best part? Boo sir, boo.

(I use my laptop on the subway regularly, actually)

xAAAx · 10-20-2009, 03:17 AM

I think they have the 8th safest campus in the country. In the case of an emergency, they can have all campus gates locked in under a minute. Also, there are security guards at all of the buildings 24/7 (students during the daytime) that check ids. If anyone tries to break in, the cops will be there in no time

Columbia2002 · 10-21-2009, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Your fearmongering does nothing to change the fact that statistically, Morningside Heights is the 2nd best neighborhood in the city (after the UES) for violent crime per capita, and well below average for property crime rates.

Source

You'd think a source would contain readable information from which one could easily verify your claim -- rather than a link to 100 pdf files.

Shrinkrap · 10-21-2009, 02:58 AM

"On the other hand, I've seen big black guys carrying open laptops on the subway playing rap videos and I don't think they're open to much abuse."

Are you saying "big black guys" are immune to abuse? I don't have data specific tob"big" black guys, but the numbers suggest they are not immune to violence.

Ok. NVM. I don't really belong here.

Denzera · 10-21-2009, 06:46 PM

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You'd think a source would contain readable information from which one could easily verify your claim -- rather than a link to 100 pdf files.

I've seen summary analyses, but can't locate them.

I think the burden of proof lies with someone proving that a neighborhood which is demonstrably safe - just look at the police blotter in the Spec - is somehow unsafe, and deserves fearmongering like your post.

Want to prove you're not just making idle speculation (which also happens to be scary and, like creationism, not a testable hypothesis)? Crunch the numbers. They're right there.