Is Princeton's Campus Safe?

Hello everyone! I'm hoping to apply to Princeton next fall and while it's a dream school in terms of academics, I'm not totally sure about the safety aspect. For those who know the school or surrounding area, would you say Princeton is safe? Any tips for staying safe on campus? Thanks for helping out.

Princeton is generally known as a safe campus and community. Princeton University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report in compliance with the federal Clery Act which offers detailed information about campus safety. This report includes statistics about crime incidents reported on or near campus.

The surrounding area, Princeton, New Jersey, is known as a pretty safe and close-knit community which generally experiences quite low crime rates. It's also a small town with a variety of shops and eateries which are often frequented by students, and the community tends to be quite supportive of the university and its students.

Princeton University has its Department of Public Safety (DPS) that operates 24/7, their officers are trained in first aid, CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The DP also provides services like safety escorts if students feel the need to have someone accompany them while walking around campus especially late at night, blue light phones across campus which provide direct contact to DPS, and they have a university-wide emergency alert system.

Princeton also has various programs and initiatives in place that advocate for student safety. For example, there's a SAFE (Sexual Harassment/Assault Advising, Resources & Education) office that provides support and resources for victims of sexual assault or harassment. And there are also safety awareness and prevention workshops made available to students.

Like at any college campus or any other environment for that matter, it's important to remain alert and use common sense. Don’t walk alone at night if you can avoid it, never leave your dorm room unlocked, and report any suspicious activity to campus security.

College years are an exciting time, but they also represent a time of transition where the importance of personal safety may become more apparent, especially if this is your first time living away from home. So, it's crucial to consider these factors. But overall, Princeton invests a lot of resources in ensuring the safety of its students.