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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Crime

Three people wearing purple graduation gowns and black graduation caps are standing raising diplomas. To the left is former N.Y.U. president standing behind a purple-and-white N.Y.U. sign.

Opinion: No longer behind bars, but not truly free

Without support systems in place, many formerly incarcerated individuals in New York risk falling into a cycle of poverty and criminalization.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer December 3, 2024

The United States has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world, keeping about 2 million people behind bars at any given time and costing an absurd $182 billion...

Off Topic: True crime lovers, let's talk boundaries

Off Topic: True crime lovers, let’s talk boundaries

We must recognize that true crime storytelling carries a responsibility to inform, not to glamorize.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor November 1, 2024

True crime entertainment is more popular than ever, but at what point does our curiosity cross a line?  As Netflix’s “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” reaches...

The exterior of N.Y.U. Lafayette Hall during the day from the diagonal corner of the street.

Readers Respond: NYU residence hall intrusions

Members of the NYU community told WSN how they feel about the recent intruders at residence halls.
November 29, 2022

The Washington Square News asked NYU community members what they thought about the university’s response to the recent intruders at multiple residence halls. These are some of...

A hand holding a small, pink canister of pepper spray that shoots out liquid.

Opinion: Strike down pepper spray restrictions

In a time of increased break-ins, attacks and safety violations, students need better access to self-defense devices. New York state needs to reconsider its pepper spray laws.
Naisha Roy, Staff Writer November 29, 2022

As I finalized my Amazon shopping cart for my first year at NYU, I realized I forgot to add one item: pepper spray. Although it wasn’t as exciting as dorm decorations, I knew...

A purple uniform patch with the logo of the NYU Department of Public Safety on the shoulder of a Public Safety Officer.

Opinion: NYU needs to better respond to crime

The university should educate students on how they can keep themselves safe in the city.
Marisa Sandoval, Contributing Writer September 9, 2022

On the first day of school, I was greeted with the blaring sounds of sirens flying through the East Village. Remembering the recent spike in gun violence across the city, I felt...

A purple uniform patch with the logo of the NYU Department of Public Safety on the shoulder of a Public Safety Officer.

Guest Essay: Campus Safety dept. ‘a ship without a captain,’ officer says

An officer describes arrogant, disrespectful leadership and low morale among staff in NYU’s Department of Campus Safety.
an anonymous Campus Safety officer, Guest Contributor April 25, 2022

The author is an NYU Campus Safety officer. Their identity has been verified by WSN. As a longtime employee of the Department of Campus Safety, I am disheartened to see what...

A crowd of police officers, legal personnel, reporters and civilians dressed in dark blue congregating on a sidewalk in the East Village.

Opinion: Coverage of Brooklyn shooting ignores lessons of previous mass shootings

Mainstream media coverage following last week's Brooklyn shooting has failed readers on multiple counts, focusing on the alleged attacker rather than the victims and failing to use trigger warnings.
Steph Wittstruck, Contributing Writer April 18, 2022

Content warning: This opinion piece discusses gun violence and trauma. When I opened Instagram on Tuesday morning, I was met with a barrage of unsolicited images of people bleeding...

Three NYPD officers in their dark blue uniforms congregating in the middle of the road appear to be discussing something. The officers are flanked by legal personnel dressed in suits on each side.

Editorial: Don’t throw more money at the failing NYPD

The NYPD’s response to the Brooklyn subway shooting showed once again that they don’t keep us safe. It’s time to pursue other options.
WSN Editorial Board April 18, 2022

Tuesday’s tragic shooting in a Brooklyn subway car stoked anxiety and fear in many New Yorkers who rely on the subway system to travel across the city. After a gunman detonated...

A crowd of people stand and walk around a park surrounded by city buildings and an arch monument under a clear blue sky.

Editorial: The NY Post is lying to you about homelessness around NYU

The right-wing media wants you to hate unhoused people. Don’t let them egg you on.
WSN Editorial Board April 11, 2022

Infamous right-wing media outlets baselessly demonized unhoused people following a March 28 egging incident on NYU’s campus. The culprit was never identified, but these rags...

The exterior of the Manhattan Detention Complex. A skyway bridge connects both sides of the brown building. On the ground below, cars are parked in parking spots marked with yellow lines on the right side, and a van with the New York Police Department logo and the text “NYCD Correction” on the back is parked on the left side.

Opinion: Anti-Asian hate crimes are not a reason to bolster policing

Asian American communities across the country are being targeted in anti-Asian hate crimes. While these communities deserve to feel safe, an increase in policing is not the answer.
Srishti Bungle, Opinion Editor March 10, 2022

Seven students were attacked on NYU’s campus between Feb. 2 and Feb. 25. At least three of the students assaulted were Asian. These blatantly targeted assaults are part of the...

A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He stands in front of a royal blue background and an American flag on a floor stand.

Editorial: Eric Adams needs to house the homeless, not attack them

Mayor Adams wants to make our trains safer by removing unhoused individuals. His plan, unfortunately, relies heavily on policing and other forms of carceral violence.
WSN Editorial Board February 28, 2022

Michelle Go was tragically pushed to her death at a subway station by an unhoused individual on Jan. 15. Her death incited much needed conversations about the rise in crime in...

An illustration of a hand wiping away a swastika graffitied onto a metal pole.

Opinion: NYU, be more vigilant against antisemitism

Following the news that another campus building was marred by a swastika, NYU and its students need to take a stand against antisemitism.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor February 24, 2022

An institution of learning should have no space for hate. Our university resides in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world and emphasizes inclusion. Our courses...