{
  "id": "2026-01-13-columbia-university-package-thefts-112-113",
  "slug": "columbia-university-package-thefts-112-113-2026-01-13",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Columbia University",
    "shortName": "Columbia",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Alert",
    "enrollment": 33000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-01-13",
    "type": "theft",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Timely warning for package burglaries on West 112th and 113th Streets",
    "headlinePublic": "Timely warning for package burglaries on West 112th and 113th Streets",
    "summary": "Columbia Public Safety [issued a Clery Crime Alert](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W01_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_542West112thStreet_511West113thStreet_2026_01_13.pdf) for package burglaries on January 13, 2026 at 542 West 112th Street and 511 West 113th Street, with entry via unsecured door and buzzing random apartments.",
    "outcome": "Public Safety seeking information; harm-reduction package and building-access tips distributed."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestamp": "2026-01-13T13:54:00-05:00",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Clery Crime Alert\nBurglary/Package Theft\nColumbia University Public Safety was informed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at approximately\n12:30 p.m. that a Burglary occurred at 542 West 112 Street on January 13, 2026 at 1:54 p.m. The same\nindividual also committed a similar crime on the same date at 6:08 p.m. at 511 West 113 Street.\nThe individual is shown in the photo below. A video review shows the individual pushing open an\nunsecured door to gain entry at 545 West 112 Street. At 511 West 113 Street, the individual was seen\nbuzzing random apartments before being let in. Once inside the buildings, the individual took several\npackages and exited.\n\nIf you have any additional information about this incident, please contact Public Safety at 212-854-2797.\nHarm Reduction Strategies:\nDo not buzz people into a building unless you know who they are and what they are doing.\nMake sure the door locks behind you every time you enter or exit a building.\nStay informed about delivery statuses and estimated arrival times and try to retrieve your\npackage(s) in a timely manner.\nMany mail carriers (UPS, FedEx) have offices where you can drop-off and pick up your\npackages safely. You can also arrange delivery to partnered local businesses, like\npharmacies.\nDisclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne\nClery Campus Safety Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain\ncrimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the\ncommunity. For additional information, please visit our Clery Act website or email ps-\ncompliance@columbia.edu.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W01_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_542West112thStreet_511West113thStreet_2026_01_13.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W01 Jan 13 2026)",
      "annotations": [
        "PDF text layer ligatures normalized to ASCII.",
        "Flyer reports notice received Jan 14 about Jan 13 crimes."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1668,
      "confidence": "high"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Columbia Public Safety Clery package-theft timely warning for Morningside residential buildings on January 13, 2026.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official PDF names two addresses, times, entry methods, and package removals."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "clery-asr",
      "title": "Columbia Clery W01 package theft",
      "url": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W01_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_542West112thStreet_511West113thStreet_2026_01_13.pdf",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "theft",
    "package-theft",
    "burglary",
    "clery",
    "columbia"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}