Safety Notification: An Update on the Social Media Threat Investigation

10:30 p.m. December 8, 2021

Dear UAlbany Community,

I’m writing with an update to the information that I shared earlier tonight about UPD’s investigation into a threat circulating on social media, allegedly associated with our campus.

Working closely with our partners in state and federal law enforcement and the New York City Police Department, we have to date found no information that links this threat to UAlbany. Rather, we have learned that the main body of this post initially surfaced early Wednesday in association with a New York City-area high school – and was later re-shared in a large group chat that included some of our students in addition to many other people with no connection to our campus at all.

To be clear, UPD has no information to suggest there is a credible threat against our campus.

Recognizing, however, that this evening’s events are understandably unnerving for many in our community, you should expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on campus throughout the rest of the night and into Thursday. We are taking this step out of an abundance of caution.

Accordingly, I have confirmed with Provost Kim that final exams will proceed as scheduled on Thursday.

I want to thank you all for your patience in allowing UPD the time to investigate this matter. I also want to thank our law enforcement partners, including the Albany Police Department and the New York State Police, who quickly lent assistance.

Finally, I again want to be clear that the individuals who brought this to our attention did the right thing. Being alert to our surroundings, in both physical and online spaces, and reporting anything concerning is part of our collective obligation to look out for each other’s health, safety and well-being.

Thank you again for your patience and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Paul C. Burlingame
Chief of Police
University at Albany Police Department

7:50 p.m. December 8, 2021

Dear UAlbany Community,

I want to assure you that UPD is aware of the threat that has been circulating on social media, allegedly in connection with our campus, and is aggressively investigating it with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement agencies.

At this point in our investigation, we have no information to suggest there is a credible threat to our campus. Nevertheless, out of abundance of caution we are increasing the law enforcement presence on campus and asking the assistance of our community in identifying the individual who originally posted the threat.

If anyone has any information about the source of these social media posts, or any other matters potentially relevant to our investigation, we ask that you please contact UPD at 518-442-3131 or by dialing 911 from any campus phone.

We are grateful to the students who brought this to our attention and in doing so reminding all of us that if you see something concerning, you should say something.

As more information becomes available, we will share it with the University community as soon as we are able.

Sincerely,

Paul C. Burlingame
Chief of Police
University at Albany Police Department