Dad hires bodyguard for NYU freshman daughter as crime surges on campus: ‘It may well get scary’

Faculty youngsters in New York Metropolis don’t simply want beer cash — they want bodyguards!

A protecting Maryland father involved about crime within the Massive Apple employed what he known as a “safety guide” to maintain a watchful eye on his 19-year-old daughter — a freshman at New York College in Greenwich Village, the place crime on or close to campus has surged within the final three years.

“I used to be very apprehensive of New York, and I’m fearful about her,” confided the the 52-year-old actual property investor, who spoke on situation of anonymity. NYU was her “first and solely” alternative when it got here to varsities.

“I consider data is the most effective disinfectant, and figuring out what areas to go to, what areas to keep away from” is “completely vital, notably for a youngster navigating a metropolis or perhaps a scenario on their very own for the primary time away from house,” he mentioned.

The “safety guide” will assist the woman — who’s learning enterprise and the humanities — safely navigate the 5 boroughs.

“I don’t know whether or not that is sufficient; I hope it’s,” added the dad. “As a father, you wish to equip your little one with all the data you possibly can probably get them, and hope they make good selections.”

After a weekslong search, the daddy stuffed the 25-hours-a-week place final month, hiring an skilled feminine non-public investigator. He wouldn’t reveal her pay however the going charge for such a gig in NYC is greater than $50 per hour.

Lauren Zucker-Pliner at Household Staffing, a “discreet” employment company in Pennsylvania, was retained by the doting dad to search out the safety guide. She took to Fb Aug. 15, seeking to rent “an officer” to control a consumer’s daughter and “guarantee she can be secure whereas at college.”

The candidate ought to possess “information of any lively emergency conditions taking place in or across the metropolis {that a} faculty pupil ought to be warned about.” The posting additionally sought somebody “to stroll her across the metropolis and educate her on what areas she ought to keep away from.”

The proper individual, the posting defined, would “construct a relationship with their daughter” by shared pursuits, “reminiscent of yoga or Pilates.”

Added the job posting: “Someday, it’s possible you’ll be accompanying her to the Bronx Zoo, the following it’s possible you’ll be simply calling her to verify in and see the place she can be for the week, so you’re conscious to control these areas.”

The NYU dad’s concern about his daughter’s security is justified. During the last couple of years, crime has been on the rise throughout all of NYU’s areas.

To this point in 2024, NYU safety has recorded 771 felony incidents on the college’s Greenwich Village, Brooklyn Commons, Midtown Middle, Higher East Aspect and Kips Bay campuses — up 27% from the 606 reported at this level in 2022.

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 this 12 months, there have been 9 robberies, 10 felony assaults, and 5 rapes on and across the 5 NYU campuses.

Final 12 months was even worse, with 807 felony incidents total through the Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 interval — together with 11 robberies, eight felony assaults and eight rapes.

All eight reported rapes final 12 months occurred in pupil housing on the Village campus, in accordance with NYU’s on-line day by day crime log.

Of the 5 rapes reported this 12 months, three unfolded inside pupil housing services on the Village campus, one occurred in an instructional constructing within the Village, whereas one other was reported in close by Washington Sq. Park. 

NYU couldn’t instantly present crime knowledge previous to 2022.

Crime within the NYPD’s sixth Precinct, which covers NYU’s Village campus, is down 14% total, and in every of the seven main crime classes. Nevertheless, hate crimes are up 55%, from 11 final 12 months to 17 this 12 months, and intercourse crimes apart from rape are additionally up 11%, with 52 to this point in 2024 in comparison with 47 throughout the identical interval in 2023. 

Not too long ago, NYU softball participant Alexa Very was groped by a person whereas on a jog in Chelsea, and ended up breaking her hand whereas fending him off with punches.

Offered with NYU crime stats by The Submit, the dad mentioned, “I don’t know tips on how to really feel about that, frankly. I didn’t know that. It scares me much more.”

This week, The Submit spoke to college students on NYU’s Village campus, the place safety guards have been ever current. Most supported the daddy’s protecting instincts.

“It’s extreme, however I can’t blame them,” mentioned French grad pupil Lou Germain, 26, who witnessed a violent assault close by. “If you happen to’ve received the cash for it and also you need your child to be secure, why not?”

“I believe it’s higher to be secure than sorry,” provided an 18-year-old freshman from Virginia.

Ashley Gained, 21, from Queens, mentioned she does really feel secure through the day, however at night time, “it may well get scary” with addicts and bums wandering to campus from the park.

Michelle Ip, 20, mentioned she’s very “cautious of my environment” however feels “comparatively” secure at NYU. “I’m from the Bay Space, the place the homeless might be loopy and so they’ll hassle you. However in New York, they hold the loopy to themselves.”