Safety in New York City: A Student’s Guide

One of the things I really appreciate about living in a residential hall is that they’re open 24/7, with a campus safety officer stationed at the entrance at all times. This means that if I ever need assistance while I’m in my dorm, help is always available. Safety officers are also stationed at the Kimmel Center and Bobst Library.

I highly recommend getting to know the security guards who work in your building. By this, I mean always say “hello,” “thank you,” and “have a good day.” These guards work long hours to ensure our safety, and the least we can do is show kindness. Plus, if you ever need help, they’re more likely to recognize you if you’ve built that rapport.

Another valuable resource is the emergency call box system. These emergency stations are scattered around campus. Each one has a blue light on top and a button you can press to summon help. The average response time is 30 to 60 seconds, but if they can reach you faster, they will.

However, sometimes the situation making you uncomfortable might be in the direction of the blue light box, which is why NYU also offers a safety app. Safe NYU has a digital blue light feature that works similarly, allowing you to get help wherever you are on campus. This way, you can always feel confident that assistance is just a button away.

One of my favorite NYU safety services is the Safe Ride program, which offers free rides between NYU buildings from 11 p.m.–7 a.m.(a time I definitely don’t recommend walking alone) during the fall and spring semesters. I’ve used this service for a variety of reasons: when it’s freezing or snowing outside, if I’m studying late at the library, or after a night out with friends. It’s a great way to get home comfortably and safely.

While rides are sometimes shared, don’t worry—it’s only with fellow NYU students. This might make the trip a bit longer compared to a rideshare service, but it’s free. What’s more, all the drivers are approved and hired by NYU, so you can trust them.

Another option I use is the NYU shuttle system. These buses park outside 715 Broadway, which is centrally located on campus. There are seven lines that go to different residence halls and even to our Downtown Brooklyn campus. When I lived in Gramercy Hall (one of the farthest dorms from campus), I always took the shuttle, especially after night classes. It made me feel much safer than walking alone. Plus, since the shuttle is only for NYU students, you know everyone on board is part of the community.

Now, let’s talk about safety when going out. As an international student from Costa Rica, I was used to always going out with friends and coming home with them. However, I quickly learned that’s not always the case here in the United States. Sometimes, people will go their own way or have different plans for getting home. Knowing this, I’ve learned it’s important to communicate with your friends that you want to leave together.

It’s not that I can’t get to my dorm by myself, but there’s safety in numbers, especially at night. If something happens, your friends are there to help. Even if your friends don’t live in the same dorm as you, you can all leave the venue together and take a Safe Ride or another type of transport home. That way, you know everyone’s safe.

Also, share your location with the people you’re going out with, as well as your roommates or family. That way, someone always knows where you are and can step in if something happens.

I’m a huge fan of public transportation, especially the subway, which can take you from uptown to downtown in 20 minutes. However, I avoid the subway late at night. Unfortunately, the subway isn’t always the safest space for women at night because it tends to be less crowded.

When I need to get home quickly and don’t want to wait for a Safe Ride, I bike. Biking in New York City can be intimidating, but at night, it’s actually not too bad—fewer cars are on the street and lots of people are biking. I don’t recommend using your own bike, though, because you never know if there will be space to park it. Instead, I use Citi Bikes, which are located all over the city. Most residence halls have a station nearby.

While I avoid the subway at night, I understand that sometimes it’s the only option. If you do need to take it late, never get on an empty subway car. I can’t stress this enough. Sometimes an empty car means someone’s just sleeping, but more often, there’s someone unstable who could pose a risk. I’m not saying this to scare you but to raise awareness about something I wish I’d known sooner.

Always board the car with the most people. As I said before, there’s safety in numbers, and if you need help, others will be there.

Whether you’re walking, on the subway, in a shuttle, or biking, if something feels off, trust your gut. If something doesn’t seem right, leave. Even if it’s a false alarm, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. As a woman, especially at night, trust your instincts—whether that means walking faster, getting a ride, or talking on the phone while walking. Do what makes you feel safest in the moment.