Public Safety at Rutgers

August 14, 2003

Members of the Rutgers Community:

Many of you know that I was the victim of a crime near the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus a few days ago. Contrary to early media reports I was neither assaulted, nor sustained any physical injuries in the robbery. This experience has reminded me that the Rutgers community is an extremely caring one. I am very grateful for the concern many of you have expressed in calls and emails to my office.

While I regard this as an unfortunate incident and regret the level of attention it has attracted, I realize it has raised concerns about the safety of our New Brunswick campus and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as questions about what the university is doing to inform and protect you.

First, I want to emphasize that the safety of our students, faculty and staff is a priority in which we invest significant time and resources on our three campuses in New Brunswick/Piscataway, Newark and Camden. We are unequivocally committed to keeping our community informed of public safety issues and emergency procedures as situations warrant, and providing protection, education and other services that enhance your safety and well-being. More than 180 trained police and security officers provide around-the-clock protection for our three main campuses. Their services are supplemented by student safety and community service officers.

To keep you informed of issues affecting public safety, the Rutgers University Police Department publishes Safety Matters, a comprehensive guide to police programs and resources. Every fall, our colleges reach out to all new students during orientation to make them aware of these services, which include a security shuttle bus serving off-campus areas; personal safety tips; crime prevention and self-defense training classes; and sexual assault and crime victim services, to name just a few. Safety Matters and other information about public safety at Rutgers can be found online for all three campuses at http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu. In addition, safety tips for off-campus residents are provided by the Rutgers Off-Campus Housing Service at http://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/ochs/guide/safety.asp.

New Brunswick is a vibrant city that has been transformed in the past two decades into a center for the arts, culture, fine dining and recreation. The city offers many advantages to those who live and work here. But we also must acknowledge the occasional challenges presented by our environment and remain alert and cognizant of our surroundings for our personal safety. Those who would commit crimes need only a window of opportunity and the element of surprise to succeed, and this can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Fortunately, many thousands of Rutgers students, as well as faculty and staff, spend happy, safe and productive years living, studying and socializing in New Brunswick. They keep its streets safer with their presence, and in turn reap the benefits of a lively college town.

I urge you to stay informed of the services and information available from the RUPD on your campus and to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times so that we can work together to prevent crime. Again, thank you for your concern and have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Sincerely,

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey