Unprecedented Measure Highlights Growing Safety Concerns in New York City’s Universities
In a striking testament to the growing concerns over urban campus safety, a Maryland father has taken the extraordinary step of hiring a personal security consultant for his 19-year-old daughter, a freshman at New York University (NYU). This decision comes in the wake of a significant surge in criminal incidents on and around NYU’s various campuses over the past three years.
A father’s precautionary measure
The 52-year-old real estate investor, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed his apprehensions about New York City’s safety. “I was very apprehensive of New York, and I am worried about her,” he confided. His daughter, studying business and the arts, had chosen NYU as her “first and only” college option.
The father elaborated on his decision: “I believe information is the best disinfectant, and knowing what areas to go to, what areas to avoid” is “absolutely critical, particularly for a young person navigating a city or even a situation on their own for the first time away from home.”
The role of the security consultant
After an extensive search, the father hired an experienced female private investigator for a 25-hour per-week position. While the exact salary was not disclosed, industry standards suggest a rate exceeding $50 per hour for such services in New York City.
The security consultant’s responsibilities include:
- Educating the student on safe areas and those to avoid
- Accompanying her on outings, such as trips to the Bronx Zoo
- Regular check-ins to monitor her whereabouts
- Building a relationship through shared interests like yoga or Pilates
Rising crime statistics at NYU
The father’s concerns appear to be well-founded, given the recent crime statistics:
- 771 criminal incidents were recorded across NYU’s campuses in 2024 (up to September), a 27% increase from 2022
- 9 robberies, 10 felony assaults, and 5 rapes were reported from January to September 2024
- 807 criminal incidents reported in the same period in 2023, including 11 robberies, 8 felony assaults, and 8 rapes
Student perspectives
NYU students interviewed by The Post offered mixed but generally supportive reactions to the father’s decision:
- Lou Germain, 26, a French grad student, stated, “It is excessive, but I can’t blame them. If you’ve got the money for it and you want your kid to be safe, why not?”
- An 18-year-old freshman from Virginia opined, “I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
- Ashley Won, 21, from Queens, noted feeling safe during the day but admitted, “it can get scary” at night due to the presence of addicts and homeless individuals near campus.
Broader implications
This unprecedented measure by a concerned parent highlights the growing unease about urban campus safety. It raises questions about the adequacy of current security measures at universities and the lengths to which parents are willing to go to ensure their children’s safety in an increasingly unpredictable urban environment.
As universities grapple with these security challenges, the case of this NYU freshman and her personal bodyguard may prompt a broader discussion about campus safety protocols and the balance between personal freedom and security in higher education settings.