{
  "id": "2026-07-18-columbia-university-citibike-arson-amsterdam-119",
  "slug": "columbia-university-citibike-arson-amsterdam-119-2026-07-18",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Columbia University",
    "shortName": "Columbia",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Alert",
    "enrollment": 33000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-07-18",
    "type": "arson",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Timely warning for a Citi bike arson at Amsterdam and 119th",
    "headlinePublic": "Timely warning for a Citi bike arson at Amsterdam and 119th",
    "summary": "Columbia Public Safety [issued Clery Crime Alert W18](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W18_Clery_Arson_West119Street%26Amsterdam_2026-07-18.pdf) for the incident described in the official PDF.",
    "outcome": "Suspect in a bright pink windbreaker walked east on 119th toward Morningside Drive."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "2026-07-18 (Clery Crime Alert W18 posting)",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Clery Crime Alert\n\nArson\n\nColumbia University Public Safety was informed of an arson incident that occurred on July 18, 2026, at\napproximately 8:40 AM on Amsterdam Ave and West 119th St. The individual ignited a fire causing damage to a\nCiti bike that was docked at this location. At the time, the individual was wearing a bright pink windbreaker-type\njacket. The individual then left the scene on foot walking eastbound on West 119th St towards Morningside Drive.\n\nIf you have any additional information about this incident, please contact Investigator Ken Finnegan at 212-854-\n3211 and reference report number 26-002514.\n\nHarm Reduction Strategies:\n\nNo one is ever responsible for a crime committed against them. The responsibility lies entirely with\nthe perpetrator. If something happens, we encourage you to report it. Reporting helps protect\nothers and ensures you can access support and services. Report the incident to the Department of\nPublic Safety at\n\nMorningside: 212-854-5555\nManhattanville: 212-853-3333\nMedical Center: 212-305-7979\nOften, where there is smoke, there is fire. When you see or smell smoke, call 911 and report the\nincident to CU Public Safety immediately, stating that you see or smell smoke/fire.\nDo not try to extinguish an uncontrolled fire yourself as this can often result in further injury.\nRemember, do not assume a fire alarm is a drill or test. All building alarm systems are tested as\nrequired by law, but these tests are announced in advance. Treat every alarm as an emergency\nunless you have received advance notification stating otherwise.\nExit the building immediately. Feel doors before opening them to be sure that there is no fire\ndanger on the other side. If you must enter a smoke-filled room or hallway, cover your nose and\nmouth with a wet cloth and crawl, keeping your head near the floor, to the nearest exit.\n\nDisclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety\n\nAct. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined\n\ncampuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the community. For additional information, please visit our\n\nClery Act website or email ps-compliance@columbia.edu",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "confidence": "high",
      "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W18_Clery_Arson_West119Street%26Amsterdam_2026-07-18.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W18)",
      "annotations": [
        "PDF dual-download MATCH 2026-09-21. Text-layer ligatures/NBSP/Ō normalized to ASCII, matching W05/W06 capture practice. verbatim sha256 c6383e8867a36d6914a49c26012a337241d56118100a3927498d148ba123b903. PDF bytes sha256 5ba86a45bfecc0b4e1ed80108d844e7fdf0bd8ad53508f6bd97f553e7a7f58d3.",
        "Distinct incident from 2026-04-02-columbia-university-broadway-residence-hall-arsons: different date and a docked Citi bike vs Broadway Residence Hall bathroom cans."
      ],
      "characterCount": 2276
    }
  ],
  "context": "Columbia Public Safety posts Clery Crime Alerts as PDFs. Official product: the [W18 warning](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W18_Clery_Arson_West119Street%26Amsterdam_2026-07-18.pdf).",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official PDF names an ignited fire that damaged a docked Citi bike at Amsterdam and West 119th."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W18)",
      "url": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W18_Clery_Arson_West119Street%26Amsterdam_2026-07-18.pdf",
      "type": "official-archive",
      "accessDate": "2026-09-21",
      "archiveUrl": null,
      "archiveNotes": "SPN not attempted after 500 flap"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "private-r1",
    "new-york",
    "columbia",
    "ivy",
    "clery",
    "arson"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-09-21",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}