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Columbia

Package burglaries at 414 West 120th Street

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Under Investigation

Columbia Public Safety issued Clery Crime Alert 2025-W34.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Columbia University
Private R1 · NY
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~33,000 studentsColumbia Public Safety Clery Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how Columbia says it will use Emergency Notification System: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim2249 chars
Clery Crime Alert Burglary / Package Thefts The Department of Public Safety was just informed that on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. a Burglary occurred at 414 West 120 Street. The same individual may have committed a similar crime on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 5:18 p.m. at the same location. The individual is male presenting with a dark complexion and a beard. They were wearing a green hooded jacket, black jeans and red sneakers. A video review shows the individual randomly pressing the intercom in an attempt to gain entry. Once inside of the building, the individual opened one package and removed the contents. The individual was last seen walking northbound on Amsterdam Ave. If you have any additional information about this incident, please contact Public Safety at 212 854-2797. Harm Reduction Strategies: Do not buzz people into a building unless you know who they are and what they are doing. Please try to retrieve your package in a timely manner. When safe and if possible, do not allow others to piggyback behind you when you are entering your apartment building. If you do not feel safe stopping a person from piggybacking behind you, you can always call Public Safety (212-854-2797) once you are in a safe location. Make sure the doors lock behind you every time to enter or exit a building. Stay informed about delivery statuses and estimated arrival times and try to retrieve your package in a timely manner. Many mail carriers (UPS, Fed Ex) have offices where you can drop-off and pick-up your packages safely. You can also arrange delivery to partnered local businesses, like pharmacies. Disclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the community. To see this and other Clery Crime Alerts please visit our Public Safety website. For more information about Columbia University’s Clery Act compliance efforts, please contact the Department’s Compliance Unit by emailing ps-compliance@columbia.edu.
Verify this quote
Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (2025-W34)publicsafety.columbia.edufind archived copies
PDF text layer ligatures normalized to ASCII. sha256 e873b47d87e67203783a3d237e56f19fab8f73f37013e6feec1b587b4d1646d6. Dual-fetch PDF bytes as packaged.
Columbia Clery 2025-W34 flyer.
Distinct incident from 2025-11-02-columbia-university-195-claremont-549-rsd-burglaries: 414 West 120th vs 195 Claremont / 549 RSD, same calendar day.
Distinct incident from 2025-11-02-columbia-university-195-claremont-549-rsd-burglaries: different address or crime type within one day.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, SuperGrok Heavy 4.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Clery Crime Alert Burglary / Package Thefts The Department of Public Safety was just informed that on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. a Burglary occurred at 414 West 120 Street. The same individual may have committed a similar crime on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 5:18 p.m. at the same location. The individual is male presenting with a dark complexion and a beard. They were wearing a green hooded jacket, black jeans and red sneakers. A video review shows the individual randomly pressing the intercom in an attempt to gain entry. Once inside of the building, the individual opened one package and removed the contents. The individual was last seen walking northbound on Amsterdam Ave. If you have any additional information about this incident, please contact Public Safety at 212 854-2797. Harm Reduction Strategies: Do not buzz people into a building unless you know who they are and what they are doing. Please try to retrieve your package in a timely manner. When safe and if possible, do not allow others to piggyback behind you when you are entering your apartment building. If you do not feel safe stopping a person from piggybacking behind you, you can always call Public Safety (212-854-2797) once you are in a safe location. Make sure the doors lock behind you every time to enter or exit a building. Stay informed about delivery statuses and estimated arrival times and try to retrieve your package in a timely manner. Many mail carriers (UPS, Fed Ex) have offices where you can drop-off and pick-up your packages safely. You can also arrange delivery to partnered local businesses, like pharmacies. Disclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the community. To see this and other Clery Crime Alerts please visit our Public Safety website. For more information about Columbia University’s Clery Act compliance efforts, please contact the Department’s Compliance Unit by emailing ps-compliance@columbia.edu.

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Source present: the Clery Crime Alert names the Department of Public Safety as the informing authority.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the sender.
    2. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the sender, with Columbia University named later.
    3. present: The Department of Public Safety is named as the informing office, and Columbia University is named in the disclaimer.
    4. present: Clery Crime Alert and the Department of Public Safety identify who is issuing the warning.
    5. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the source.
    6. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the sender.
    7. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and the Department of Public Safety name the issuing agency.
    8. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing authority.
    9. present: Clery Crime Alert and the Department of Public Safety identify who is issuing the warning.
    10. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and the Department of Public Safety name the issuing agency.
    11. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the sender and agency.
    12. present: Clery Crime Alert and the Department of Public Safety identify the issuing authority, and Columbia University is named.
    13. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify who is issuing the warning.
    14. present: Opens with Clery Crime Alert and names the Department of Public Safety as the informed authority.
    15. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing agency.
    16. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the source.
    17. present: The Clery Crime Alert and Department of Public Safety name the sender.
    18. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and the Department of Public Safety identify the source.
    19. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing agency.
    20. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the source, with Columbia University named as well.
    21. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing authority.
    22. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and the Department of Public Safety identify who is issuing the warning.
    23. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and the Department of Public Safety identify the authority.
    24. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing authority.
    25. present: "Clery Crime Alert" and "The Department of Public Safety" identify the issuing agency, with Columbia University named in the disclaimer.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Hazard present because the text names burglary and package thefts.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts".
    2. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    3. present: It names burglary and package thefts, including opening a package and removing the contents.
    4. present: The heading names burglary and package thefts as the specific threat.
    5. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the threat.
    6. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the threat.
    7. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the threat.
    8. present: The heading names burglary and package thefts as the specific crimes.
    9. present: It names burglary and package thefts as the specific crimes.
    10. present: The heading specifies "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the hazard.
    11. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific threat.
    12. present: The header names burglary and package thefts as the specific threat.
    13. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific threat.
    14. present: The heading names Burglary and Package Thefts as the specific crimes.
    15. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    16. present: It names "Burglary" and "Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    17. present: The heading specifies burglary and package thefts.
    18. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    19. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific threats.
    20. present: The heading and body name "Burglary" and "Package Thefts" as the crimes.
    21. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    22. present: The heading names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
    23. present: The title names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific threat.
    24. present: It names "Burglary" and "Package Thefts" as the specific threats.
    25. present: It names "Burglary / Package Thefts" as the specific crimes.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Location present: 414 West 120 Street, with a similar crime also located.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The burglary is at "414 West 120 Street", with the suspect last on Amsterdam Ave.
    2. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    3. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the person was last seen walking northbound on Amsterdam Ave.
    4. present: It places the burglary at 414 West 120 Street and last sighting on Amsterdam Ave.
    5. present: It places the crime at "414 West 120 Street" and last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    6. present: The crime is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    7. present: The location is 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    8. present: It locates the burglary at 414 West 120 Street and last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    9. present: The crime is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    10. present: The crime is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    11. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    12. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    13. present: The crime is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    14. present: It places the burglary at 414 West 120 Street and last sees the person on Amsterdam Ave.
    15. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    16. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    17. present: The location is 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last on Amsterdam Ave.
    18. present: It places the burglary at 414 West 120 Street and last sighting on Amsterdam Ave.
    19. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    20. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    21. present: Both events are at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    22. present: Both incidents are at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    23. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last on Amsterdam Ave.
    24. present: The crime is at 414 West 120 Street, with the suspect last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
    25. present: The burglary is at 414 West 120 Street, and the suspect was last seen on Amsterdam Ave.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Guidance present: tips tell recipients not to buzz unknown people in, to make sure doors lock, and to retrieve packages promptly.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    2. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people in, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors behind you.
    3. present: It tells readers not to buzz unknown people in, not to allow piggybacking, to lock doors, and to retrieve packages promptly.
    4. present: Harm Reduction instructs not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    5. present: It tells readers not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    6. present: Harm reduction tells readers not to buzz strangers, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    7. present: It tells readers not to buzz unknown people, retrieve packages promptly, and lock doors.
    8. present: It tells readers not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    9. present: Harm reduction instructs not to buzz unknowns, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    10. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    11. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to make doors lock.
    12. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people in, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    13. present: It tells people not to buzz unknowns, not to allow piggybacking, to lock doors, and to retrieve packages promptly.
    14. present: It instructs readers not to buzz unknown people, to retrieve packages promptly, and to keep doors locked.
    15. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, to lock doors, and to retrieve packages promptly.
    16. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    17. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    18. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people in, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    19. present: It tells people not to buzz strangers, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors and retrieve packages.
    20. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people in, retrieve packages promptly, and ensure doors lock.
    21. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    22. present: Readers are told not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    23. present: It tells readers not to buzz unknown people, retrieve packages promptly, and lock doors.
    24. present: It instructs not to buzz unknown people, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
    25. present: Harm Reduction tells people not to buzz strangers, not to allow piggybacking, and to lock doors.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Time present via Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a Saturday, November 8 similar crime.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    2. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a second date and time.
    3. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
    4. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., plus a later date and time.
    5. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a second clock time.
    6. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
    7. present: Times include Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    8. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    9. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a later time on November 8.
    10. present: Dates and times include Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m.
    11. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a later time on November 8.
    12. present: Times include November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and November 8, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
    13. present: Times include Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    14. present: It gives November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    15. present: Dates and clock times are given: November 2 at about 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    16. present: It gives dates and times, including Sunday, November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m.
    17. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    18. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a later date and time.
    19. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    20. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a second date and time.
    21. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    22. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
    23. present: It timestamps Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. and a later date-time.
    24. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
    25. present: It gives Sunday, November 2, 2025 at about 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 8 at 5:18 p.m.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Impact absent: removing package contents is the theft outcome without injury, danger, or other severity.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: Removing package contents is the crime's outcome, not a statement of injury or danger.
    2. absent: "Removed the contents" is the completed theft outcome, not a stated consequence or severity of harm.
    3. absent: It does not describe injury, danger, or other consequences beyond the theft itself.
    4. absent: Removed the contents of a package is the crime outcome, not a stated harm or severity to people.
    5. absent: Removing package contents is the crime's outcome, not a stated consequence or severity.
    6. absent: Opening a package and removing the contents is the past crime outcome, not a stated consequence or severity.
    7. absent: Removing package contents is the crime itself, not a stated injury or severity.
    8. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime outcome, not a stated harm or severity.
    9. absent: Removing package contents is the crime outcome, not a stated injury or severity consequence.
    10. absent: "Removed the contents" is the theft outcome, not a stated consequence or severity for recipients.
    11. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime's outcome, not a stated severity or harm.
    12. absent: Removed the contents is the crime outcome, not a statement of injury, danger, or other impact.
    13. absent: Opening a package and removing the contents is the crime outcome, not a stated injury or severity.
    14. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime outcome, not a stated harm or severity.
    15. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime's outcome, not a stated injury or severity.
    16. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime outcome, not a stated impact.
    17. absent: Removing package contents is a past crime outcome, not a stated harm or severity.
    18. absent: Removing package contents is the crime outcome, not a stated consequence or severity for recipients.
    19. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime outcome, not a statement of injury or danger.
    20. absent: Removing package contents is the crime's outcome, not a stated harm such as injury or danger.
    21. absent: That the person "removed the contents" of a package is the crime outcome, not a harm or severity statement.
    22. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime outcome, not a harm or severity statement.
    23. absent: Removing package contents is a past crime outcome, not a stated consequence or severity.
    24. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime's outcome, not a stated consequence or severity.
    25. absent: Opening a package and removing contents is the crime's outcome, not a statement of harm or severity.

Coded by SuperGrok Heavy 4.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Columbia Public Safety posts Clery Crime Alerts as PDFs. Official product: the 2025-W34 warning.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official Clery Crime Alert PDF recovered from the Public Safety files host.
Outcome
Public Safety seeking tips at 212-854-2797.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (2025-W34)
    publicsafety.columbia.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Columbia University: Package burglaries at 414 West 120th Street." Incident of November 2, 2025. Added September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/columbia-university-414-west-120th-package-burglaries-2025-11-02/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
private-r1new-yorkcolumbiaivycleryburglaryUnder Investigation
Added September 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion