Personal safety is a partnership
between those whose responsibility it is to develop
and enforce policies and procedures and the community whom we serve.

The Students-Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now entitled the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act) was enacted in response to several high profile crimes which took place on several college campuses during the 1980's. The cornerstone of the law was the requirement that colleges and universities make public all reported criminal acts. The primary goal of this legislation was to educate and inform the campus community about personal safety and security issues. Noticing the large number of sexual assaults, the subsequent amendments to this law were expanded to include specific policy and programs related to these types of crimes.

Personal safety is a partnership between those whose responsibility it is to develop and enforce policies and procedures and the community whom we serve. We need your continuing cooperation to help keep you and our community crime free. To achieve this objective we must face some very important facts.

For every theft reported to the Office of Security & Safety, there are many more items that are returned to the Lost and Found. Examples of items returned over the years include case books, laptop computers, cell phones, portable technology devices, wallets (many containing large quantities of cash and debit, charge, and credit cards), and the always misplaced umbrella and glove(s). It is reassuring to know there are many honest persons within our community. However, you can help us maintain a safe community by protecting your personal and valuable property. It is easier to protect your property than to take the chance of depending on the honesty of others. 
 
Personal property crimes can be prevented by eliminating the opportunity.

You would not consciously leave your home entrance door ajar, your car door unlocked and the keys in the ignition, or your luggage unguarded at an airport, but why would you consider leaving your case books, briefcase, hand bag, or laptop computer unattended? Leaving personal property unattended is an open opportunity for others to tamper with or steal it. A thief does not need a lot of time to commit a crime- less than half a minute is sufficient- all they require is an opportunity. Contrast this with the amount of time you would spend following a theft of personal property. You would need time to report the theft to the New York City Police Department and other reporting agencies. Then there is the time it would take to replace the stolen items, forms of identification, and/or reassemble documents, class notes, outlines, or reports. And finally, there is the concern that lost personal confidential information could now make you a potential victim of identity theft. Keep your personal property secure at all times. Crimes of opportunity can be prevented. Protecting personal property is your responsibility.

Protecting personal property is your responsibility.

Personal safety has always been a priority at the law school. I am proud to report that there has been a continuing decline in the number of reported personal property thefts over the past decade. However, the fact that we have such a positive record should NOT cause you to be careless, to let down your guard.

By leaving your property unattended, you invite the possibility of a theft that will affect you personally as well as undermine our community’s sense of trust in each other. By keeping your personal property secure you help reduce the opportunity for others to steal from you, and you help to make the community safer. The bottom line is simple: You cannot leave personal property unattended and expect that it will be there when you return. You must take responsibility for your property and keep it secure at all times.

You should review all security, health, and safety information periodicallyYou should always seek out new crime prevention information.

During First Week, incoming students were provided selections from the current Annual Report which describes personal safety and emergency response guidelines. Brochures which describe sexual assault prevention (from the New York City Police Department Special Victims Liaison Unit) and general safety (developed by the National Crime Prevention Council) as well as copies of the previous annual report were also made available. Personal safety, health, and emergency response information is also included in The New York Law School Student Handbook.

Throughout the year you will be notified of personal safety programs and services which the Office of Security & Safety, Office of Student Life, various student organizations, and the New York City Police Department will co-host.