New York City has some of the most elevated crime rates in the US. You would probably assume then that Brooklyn College’s urban campus is a breeding ground for burglary, sexual assault and other offenses. But what were you taught as a child? Never judge a book by its cover, right? The institution, which was established in 1930 as the Big Apple’s first public coeducation liberal arts college, is actually more secure than some of the rural-based schools we’ve looked into—total shocker! So not only are the grounds at the poor man’s Harvard some of the most scenic according to the Princeton Review, but they’re also able to be strolled free of worry. Brooklyn College has produced many noteworthy figures over the years, with their fields ranging from business to politics (Bernie Sanders attended in 1959-60) and physics to musical composition. If you’re considering becoming a Bulldog, then read on to find out why you—and your parents—can breathe a sigh of relief. Spoiler: you’re in good hands at this college.
Student ID cards aren’t a new concept at universities. In fact, there employed almost everywhere. It’s how often they’re checked that seems to differ. One of the reasons students say Brooklyn College is so safe is because the general public can’t actually access the campus. Patrol officers are stationed at every entrance, and they do check IDs. In fact, it’s said that you can’t walk anywhere without seeing an officer; they’re an incredibly visible and effective faction on campus. They also monitor something that’s near and dear to students: the bicycle rack. Given Brooklyn College’s urban setting, bicycle theft is high in general. The rack is located inside the gate at Campus Road, and what’s the cost to use it? You guessed it: a student ID.
Night classes can be convenient for students with busy schedules, but there can be some worries about safety once the sun goes down. An escort service can be summoned to help you reach parking lots and nearby public transportation. Using a free service like this might be a no-brainer, yet some Bulldogs (and undergraduates at large) simply don’t for fear of it not being “cool”. The first safety tip that any college will give you is to never walk alone after-hours. Here’s your solution!
The “See Something… Say Something” campaign was instituted on campus in response to recent tragedies on college campuses that were the result of gun violence, terrorism, etc. It might seem like a simple task to report suspicious activity or a situation that just doesn’t seem right, but not everyone does. Brooklyn College reminds students that the student body as a whole contributes to safety. Looking out for one another preventing crimes in the first place is a key focus.
We were simply stunned to see how low the crime rates actually are at Brooklyn College when displayed on paper. Many offenses had a count of zero—even in the problem areas for many schools, like sexual assault. Instances of aggravated assault are frequently connected with instances of underage drinking. If students feel they need help with their use of alcohol or other illegal substances, they can seek free and confidential counseling services in James Hall. And if you don’t feel comfortable seeing someone on campus, they’ll be happy to refer you to an unaffiliated service.
Brooklyn College’s commendable level of safety is largely contributed to how tight security is kept on campus. You’ll find guards around every corner here, and get ready to flash that student ID whenever you’re on the grounds. Even with approximately 16,000 undergraduates, the annual safety reports are astoundingly positive. Now that you know how safe you are at Brooklyn College, why not check out the best and worst professors? There’s also some sage advice from a former student.
Ryan James is a ’13 alumnus of Ohio University’s College of Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in writing and media. He currently works as a copywriter for a Fortune 500 e-commerce corporation based in Columbus, OH.