Campus Safety
Department of Public Safety
FIT’s Department of Public Safety is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Its officers utilize foot patrol and approximately 300 closed-circuit security cameras to observe and report situations or activities that may pose a danger to persons or property. The Department of Public Safety staffs a central dispatch and monitoring center that serves as the hub for emergency call taking and dispatch to all College properties. Central dispatch utilizes a computer-aided dispatch system and communicates with Public Safety officers via a state-of-the-art mobile radio system.
FIT Public Safety Officers are not armed and do not have police powers, but they will assist you. Although there is no formal agreement, FIT has a cooperative working relationship with the New York City Police Department in which NYPD officers periodically patrol campus roadways, maintain public order, engage in crime prevention, and provide for the enforcement of local and state laws.
FIT Public Safety officers respond to all complaints and emergencies occurring on campus. If warranted, FIT Public Safety will contact emergency services for police/fire/EMS response. All FIT Public Safety officers have received first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training in addition to instruction in campus public safety procedures.
For information about FIT’s Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the “Clery Act”) please review FIT's Safety Statistics.
Safety Shuttle and Campus Escort Program
The Department of Public Safety operates a shuttle program. Students and staff traveling to and from Kaufman Hall can enjoy a safe ride in one of our complimentary shuttles. This service can be requested at any time by anyone from our campus community—student, staff, or faculty.
In addition, a walking escort anywhere on campus or to Kaufman Hall performed by a uniformed officer can also be requested at any time (in person, by calling the non-emergency line at 212-217-4999, or by using one of the red or blue phones on campus).
Safety in the Residence Halls
Each residence hall is staffed by Public Safety personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when students are in residence. Personnel are trained to adhere to strict visitation policies regarding entrance into the halls. Supervisors routinely inspect and monitor individual security post assignments over the course of each shift to ensure that policies and procedures are followed. Public Safety works closely with members of the Department of Residential Life, whose members are also on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students may bring visitors to their rooms but they must first comply with the college’s visitation policies. The visitor must be properly signed in and must have a valid photo ID that is left with the lobby security personnel until departure.
Emergency Notifications
Depending on the incident and situation, FIT has the capacity to send community messages via FIT Alert or through any other means designed to reach the FIT community as quickly and broadly as possible depending on the situation (such as email, text messaging, the public address system, postings on the college’s website, and the college’s information phone line 212-217-7792).
Emergency response protocols are tested on at least a yearly basis, and members of the FIT community are sent information about procedures in conjunction with such tests. Public Safety keeps records of such tests.