Pratt: Not In Our Front Yard
Yesterday, the Local blog broke the sad news that as of next month Pratt will begin enforcing its longstanding-but-long-ignored rule against loitering by non-school-related people. (Like one of the Brownstoner progeny above shown in happier times on a campus-trashing wilding spree.) Community members will still be able to cut through the campus on foot but…
Yesterday, the Local blog broke the sad news that as of next month Pratt will begin enforcing its longstanding-but-long-ignored rule against loitering by non-school-related people. (Like one of the Brownstoner progeny above shown in happier times on a campus-trashing wilding spree.) Community members will still be able to cut through the campus on foot but they won’t be able to sit and admire the sculpture. A spokeswoman for the school said the policy does not allow the use of the campus grounds as a public park or playground. Most of the commenters on the Local aren’t happy about this and we heard from one community resident that a group called the Clinton Hill Action Committee is forming to try to get Pratt to reconsider its decision; if you are interested you can contact the organizers at clintonhillac@gmail.com.
Pratt Rolls Up the Welcome Mat [NYT/Local]
Infinitejester- I still don’t get what you meant by linking libraries (interior space) and, er, oublic outdoor space. Your example, not mine. I guess I am not aware of what “the Closing of the American Campus” was/is.
I would hope that a university would be more nuanced than slapping a community in the face merely to give the impression of safety when it is pretty clear it accomplishes no such thing. Again, just a PR disaster with no added safety.
northslope–I get what you are saying but I disagree that its the only thing they CAN do. They could do more with community groups surrounding the campus, as that is where the security issue for its students lies.
Putnam, no they’re not, but they are in your mind apparently. That action was widely viewed as the start of the Closing of the American Campus.
7pm, broad daylight, well populated area.
it’s a false peace of mind then. total bullshit, to be frank. the real problem is that terrible things happen and people need to be careful but sometimes the victim couldn’t have done any better. i was the victim of attack by a crazed meth-head in the east village recently and honestly it was just my bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“What does shutting the gates down have to do with anything.”
It is what they *can* do. You do what you can.
What is the point of having police search the briefcase of a business person commuting to work on subway?
I have no idea, but they’ve been doing it for years.
Why?
Because they want to do *something* and give the impression that they are trying.
People don’t like to be made to feel helpless.
And I guess it would be politically incorrect to say “suspicious looking males and groups of teenagers will not be allowed to loiter on Pratt grounds, but families and safe looking people are welcome”.
Bob–I know firsthand that campus security won’t allow me and my charming daughter to hang out on campus the way we used to. I tried to do it the other day and was turned away.
“Chortik: not sure how a street assault of a Pratt student will be avoided by preventing me and my family from sitting on the grass. And since I will still be allowed to walk through the campus, this doesn’t really address safety on campus.”
DING DING DING–thanks Putnam. So shortsighted.
My cousin and sister-in-law just started at Pratt and I can tell you all parents will be happy to hear this. It is something the school had to do. Even if it does not really address a problem since most issues were off-campus they have to do everything they can to provide the peace of mind that the students are safe and secure.
wasder,
Campus security guards are unlikely to harass YOU and your kid for loitering, which brings up the matter of profiling, and the resultant poisoning of community relations. A most unfortunate policy choice IMO.