As students at Baruch College Campus High School, located in the heart of Manhattan, navigate the city streets and the challenges of high school life, many concerns are brought up. One pressing issue among teens in NYC including in BCCHS is the question of safety and the potential violence teens may face outside of school.
NYC is a very diverse environment, and with this being true the reality of challenges arises. For teens these safety concerns can come from many different things such as bullying, peer pressure, or confrontations outside school settings. Navigating public transportation and being aware of one’s surroundings adds to the challenges that teens in NYC have to worry about everyday.
Despite BCCHS having a close and safe community, and being known for its academic excellence, students are not immune to the challenges outside of school. According to recent studies, the overall rate of violence in NYC public schools has decreased over the years. But, isolated incidents and the threat of personal conflicts remain a concern for students.
Teens from BCCHS shared their testimonies of what it’s like navigating these challenges of safety in NYC, and any potential dangerous encounters that they may have had.
Senior Jose Moreno shared his story on how he was mistaken for a gang member, and was confronted by “rivals” which could have potentially done damage to him.
“I had no clue what they were talking about because I am definitely not part of a gang, but all I know is that I was scared they were going to do something to me because of who they thought I was,” Moreno said.
Many teens face this problem especially if they live in a more dangerous area of NYC. It is important to be aware of your surroundings, and alert just in case something similar happens.
Senior Mohamed Kone also shared how he faced unsafety early on in his teen life.
“Me and my friend were at the park when a group of older teens acting violently demanded his phone, and he gave it up. I don’t know why they targeted us, especially since we were young, but I’m just happy they didn’t take anything that I had,” Kone said.
These challenges can come up at any stage of life, but teens seem like the target for this type of danger. This is why it is important to find a balance between high school life, and the challenges faced outside school.
Senior Jaylen Williams shares advice on how to stay safe in public..
Williams said, “I suggest that you put away your phone and pay attention to wherever you are outside alone, and if you have headphones on, uncover one ear to be aware of what is going on around you.”
This shared suggestion from Jaylen follows this recurring topic of knowing your surroundings, and what is going on around you, because it could be the difference of safety and danger.
Alex Yakov, a senior, shared that he was randomly attacked one day on his way home from school.
“You should have a plan and know what to do in a situation instead of just panicking,” Yakov said.
Navigating school life, and the threat of danger outside school, can get hard to keep up with, especially for teens, so here’s some tips for staying safe:
- Stay Connected: Always let someone know your whereabouts, especially if traveling alone. Share you commute plans with a friend or family member.
- Know Your Environment: Get familiar with your environment and take the safest route to and from school. Stick to well lit populated areas.
- Trust your instincts: If you ever feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave if possible, you should always trust your gut.
- Use technology: Apps like Find My and sharing your location with someone you trust ensures someone knows where you are in case anything happens. Having a fully charged phone with you can also be crucial in emergencies.
- Speak up: If you experience any danger, or ever feel unsafe, talk to people like counselors, and trusted adults.
Ensuring safety requires effort. Even though it could be hard for teens to juggle everyday life and navigate this big city safely, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
