THIS COMMUNICATION IS SENT ON BEHALF OF VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, RODNEY CHATMAN 

On Sunday, Feb. 11, at approximately 10 a.m., the Brown University Department of Public Safety was notified about specific and violent threats made to the personal safety of leaders at Brown-RISD Hillel, their families and the Brown-RISD Hillel Weiner Center near Brown’s campus. The threats were delivered in emails sent to business email addresses in the early-morning hours Sunday and discovered later Sunday morning.

After finding the emails, Brown-RISD Hillel leaders first contacted the Providence Police Department, which responded in person to the Weiner Center, as Brown-RISD Hillel falls within their law enforcement jurisdiction. PPD subsequently contacted Brown DPS, which responded immediately to assist. PPD and DPS notified partners at the Rhode Island State Fusion Center, which is a collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies..

Working together, officers conducted a full assessment of building safety and security and determined that there is no evidence of any on-site threat to personal safety. They worked closely with Brown-RISD Hillel leaders and colleagues from Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design to develop safety and security plans for the leaders and also the Weiner Center, which is now open for regularly-scheduled programs, activities, and classes. The agencies continue to work together to investigate the original emailed threats and will continue to ensure the safety and security of the building.

As a reminder, if any member of the Brown community feels unsafe in any situation, trust your instincts and call Brown DPS at 401-863-3322 or the Providence Police at 401-272-3121. For any emergency, dial 911.