Rutgers New Brunswick: Safe Or Not?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick has been ranked as one of the safest campuses in the U.S. by ADT, which noted that campus safety was always nearby and praised the public safety escorts program. However, some students have expressed concerns about safety on campus and in the surrounding areas, particularly at night and in certain neighbourhoods. Crime statistics for the college campus and surrounding areas show a total of 547 incidents related to crime and safety in 2019, with 458 of those occurring on campus. The types of crimes include arrests for major crimes, arrests for possession, violence against women, and disciplinary actions. The university addresses safety through initiatives like the Rave Guardian mobile safety app and by encouraging students to stay alert and aware of their surroundings, walk with others at night, and use university transportation.

Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD)

The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) is a campus police agency responsible for law enforcement on the New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden campuses of Rutgers University. The RUPD is a department of the university's Division of Administration and Public Safety, overseen by Rutgers Institutional Planning and Operations (IP&O). The RUPD is an internationally accredited, fully empowered law enforcement entity under state law with state-wide jurisdiction. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide the university community with a full range of police and security services.

The RUPD maintains multiple fully staffed police headquarters and works closely with local police departments, such as the New Brunswick Police Department and the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, as well as neighbouring police departments and adjacent campus police departments. The RUPD staff includes fully trained, commissioned, and armed Police Officers, Security Officers, 911 Dispatchers, and student Community Service Officers.

The RUPD offers a range of services to ensure the safety of the Rutgers community, including emergency response, crime prevention, security patrols, and community engagement initiatives. They also provide resources and training to help students, faculty, and staff stay safe on campus, such as the Rave Guardian mobile safety app and the Knight Mover Shuttle service.

In addition to the RUPD, Rutgers University Emergency Services (RUES) is responsible for Emergency Medical Services and emergency management on campus, as well as responding to fire and hazardous materials emergencies in coordination with local first responders. The RUES staff includes trained firefighters, incident managers, emergency medical technicians, and hazardous materials technicians who are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rutgers takes campus safety seriously, and the RUPD plays a crucial role in creating a secure environment for students, faculty, and staff. The university provides various resources and recommendations to enhance personal safety, such as signing up for text alerts, staying alert and aware of surroundings, avoiding risky behaviours, and utilising university transportation and walking escort services after hours.

Crime statistics

Rutgers University New Brunswick has been ranked as one of the safest campuses in the U.S. by ADT. The ranking was based on campus crime statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and the FBI Uniform Crime Report. The report noted that with an enrollment of just under 66,000, the university has an effective safety system in place.

However, according to a 2021 report by the American School Search, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very dangerous place and received a "D-" safety grade. The report suggests that there are issues with forcible sex offenses, illegal drugs, nonforcible sex offenses, and aggravated assaults.

In 2019, Rutgers University - New Brunswick reported 547 incidents related to crime and safety. Since the number of students at the school that year was 50,173, this equates to 10.90 incidents per 1,000 students. Disciplinary actions accounted for 26.0% of all crime and safety incidents, while arrests for possession made up about 43.0%. Acts of violence against women accounted for 14.3% of incidents, and arrests for major crimes made up 16.8%.

On-campus crime statistics for 2019 show that there were 458 total incidents, or 9.13 incidents per 1,000 students. Off-campus crime statistics for the same year show that there were 27 incidents, or 0.54 incidents per 1,000 students. Residence hall crime statistics show that there were 269 total incidents, or 5.36 incidents per 1,000 students. Finally, the New Brunswick neighborhood student-related crime statistics show that there were 62 total incidents, or 1.24 incidents per 1,000 students.

Rutgers University has a range of safety measures in place to protect its students, including the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD), which operates a fully staffed police headquarters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The university also offers a free mobile safety app, Rave Guardian, which provides access to important campus safety resources. In addition, the Knight Mover Shuttle service and on-campus walking escorts provide extra security for students moving around campus after hours.

Sexual assault

In November 2022, two women living near the Rutgers University campus in New Brunswick reported being sexually assaulted within 24 hours of each other. The suspect crawled through an unlocked window in the early morning and inappropriately touched the victims while they were sleeping. The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) reminded students to ensure windows and doors are locked, avoid isolated or dark areas, and travel in groups at night.

Despite these incidents, Rutgers has a robust system in place to support students who experience sexual assault. The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance offers confidential advocates who are available 24/7. Additionally, the university's Institute for Women's Leadership (IWL) offers a two-year honors certificate program that includes education on sexual assault and resources for survivors.

Marina Ford, a Rutgers senior, has been appointed to the Campus Sexual Assault Commission for New Jersey, where she evaluates responses to sexual assault on college campuses and advocates for her peers. Ford has also organized webinars to educate students about resources available to them and facilitate conversations about consent, inclusive sexual assault education, and healthy relationships.

To promote safety on campus, Rutgers offers the Rave Guardian mobile safety app, which helps students stay connected and access important campus safety resources. The university also provides the Knight Mover Shuttle service and on-campus walking escorts for students travelling after hours.

Alcohol and drugs

Rutgers University acknowledges that alcohol and drug use on campus is a reality, and the university's top priority is the health, safety, and success of its entire community. The university provides a range of resources and support for students with varying relationships with alcohol and drugs, including non-drinkers, responsible drinkers, people seeking assistance with their alcohol and drug use, and those in recovery.

Rutgers University has a number of sanctions in place for alcohol- and other drug-related violations, which are designed to help students evaluate their substance use habits and make better decisions. These sanctions include fines, workshops, online assessments, treatment programs, and substance restrictions. The sanctions vary in severity depending on the nature and severity of the behaviour, previous disciplinary history, and whether or not the violation involves a hospital transport.

The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) helps to create a safe and secure environment and operates a fully-staffed police headquarters 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The university also provides a free mobile safety app, Rave Guardian, which is designed to help faculty, staff, students, and guests stay connected and access important campus safety resources.

To promote safety, Rutgers University advises students to avoid alcohol and drugs, as persons under the influence are much more likely to become victims of crime.

Safety escorts

Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) provides walking escorts to students, faculty, and staff upon request. The escorts are available to accompany students to their vehicles, campus residence, or the University's mass transit system.

To request an escort, you can contact the RUPD Communication and Dispatch Center, who will send a public safety representative to accompany you. Escorts cannot be reserved in advance, but RUPD offers text messaging services for non-emergency requests.

In addition to the walking escorts, the University also provides the "Knight Mover Shuttle" as an individualized transportation service during non-mass transit hours. This service can be requested by calling 732-932-RIDE (7433). The shuttle service operates from 3–6 a.m., Monday to Thursday during the fall and spring semesters.

It is recommended to use university transportation and walking chaperone services, especially after dark, to ensure your safety on campus.

Frequently asked questions