Safety & Security at YDS

Ed. note: Yes, you just got this in email form. But I know how it is - your inbox is full, or you have some filter set up, or the YDS mail you get keeps ending up in the spam folder by mistake ... here again, this week's BTFO update on safety. With thanks to Bill Goettler, YDS's Assistant Dean for Ministerial Studies and Assessment, and long-time New Haven resident, for his input. (Dear Bill: Why don't you have an official bio on the YDS website? Do you see what I'm forced privileged to link to?)

Those of you who have set up your Yale email accounts have probably already gotten at least one email from Chief Perotti, the head of the Yale Police force. Chief Perotti sends an email of every crime related incident that takes place in or near the Yale campus, and involves a person who is affiliated with Yale. Taken out of context, these can make living in New Haven seem a little scary. And since you aren't yet getting many other Yale emails, it might appear that all we talk about is crime. A few things to remember when you get these emails:

First, these are a legal necessity. Believe it or not, Chief Perotti doesn't send these emails with the express intent to titillate, but because he is required by law to do so whenever there is an incident involving anyone Yale-affiliated in New Haven. Since Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University comprise the #1 and #2 employers in New Haven, respectively, that's a lot of people.

Second, New Haven, for all its charm and frustrating lack of urbanity, is still a city. (The second largest in Connecticut, following Bridgeport.) Along with living in a city come certain pluses and minuses. On the minus side, you'll be exposed to a higher crime rate than you'd see in say, rural Connecticut. On the plus side, you'll be within walking distance of wonderful things like the Yale Art Gallery, East Rock Park, and my current favorite coffee shop, Lulu (http://www.lulublend.com/). Most YDS students live in either East Rock or Newhallville, which you can read more about on the Yale housing website (http://www.yale.edu/livingnh/community/nhprofiles.html).

Finally, these incidents represent a small percentage of the overall Yale population and their likelihood is often increased by behavior that can be dangerous in any city. Chief among these, of course, is walking around alone at night – and there's literally no reason why you'd have to walk home or to campus alone. Yale runs a series of free shuttles, with door-to-door service late nights, and offers security escorts 24/7 on campus. We put together a document listing the various safety and security resources you can avail yourself to – please take a look, and keep these phone numbers handy. Please access the document here:

http://www.yale.edu/divinity/adm/SafetyInformation.shtml

On the less-official level, Yale Divinity School is a caring and safe community. Although I have my own car, I've always been able to find a ride home from an on-campus event or off-campus party with another Div School student when I need one. YDS's campus itself is very safe, and most items that go missing end up in the lost and found drawers near Dale’s office.
Bottom line: please don't let the Chief Perotti emails determine how you feel about New Haven and YDS before you even get here. Yes, you'll need to take common-sense security precautions while living here, but on the whole New Haven is a safe and fun place to live.

-Kate