Yale University's campus was greeted with a controversial public safety flyer distributed by the Yale Police Union in New Haven.
The flyer, featuring an image of the Grim Reaper, claimed that crime in the city was "getting worse." However, both Yale and New Haven city officials criticized the pamphlets as "misleading" and aimed at creating fear among new students and their families.
In response to the flyer, Yale issued a statement condemning the actions of the police union. The university highlighted that the pamphlets contained "disturbing and inflammatory rhetoric" about the safety of Yale's campus and New Haven. Yale also pointed out that the Yale Police Union is currently in contract negotiations with the university, suggesting a potential motive behind the distribution of the flyers.
The flyer included statistics from the New Haven Police Department, stating that murders had doubled, burglaries were up 33%, and motor vehicle thefts had increased by 56%. However, officials clarified that while there have been 14 homicides so far this year compared to seven over the same period last year, the total number of homicides in 2021 was higher.
In fact, the number of homicides in early August 2022 is lower than it was in early August 2021. Similarly, motor vehicle thefts have seen a significant increase this year compared to 2021, but the numbers are still lower than those recorded in 2020.
Despite the statistics, the pamphlet advised students to take precautions such as staying off the streets after 8 p.m., avoiding walking alone, and remaining on campus. The flyer ended with the phrase "Good luck," implying that surviving in New Haven was a challenging feat.
Andrew Matthews, a spokesperson for the police union, defended the distribution of the pamphlets, stating that they aimed to inform students about the crime situation in New Haven. He highlighted incidents of motor vehicles chasing each other down the streets and shooting, emphasizing the importance of students' safety.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker criticized the pamphlets, describing them as "childish" and "selfish." Yale Police Chief Anthony Campbell expressed his disgust at the police union's decision to distribute the flyers, stating that it detracted from the work performed by Yale Police officers and their partners at the New Haven Police Department.
Yale University clarified that the most reported crime on campus was the theft of laptops, cell phones, and unsecured motorized scooters. The school emphasized that the distribution of the pamphlets went against the spirit of move-in day, which is meant to be a special and memorable occasion for students and their families.
The Yale Police Benevolent Association, described as an independent and unaffiliated union, aims to protect its members' rights under the current bargaining agreement and the National Labor Relations Act.
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