After bomb scares, Rutgers intern fears commuting to work
Commuters from Rutgers University to New York City normally face a tough hour-long commute, but now that the city is on a high threat level after a bomb exploded in Chelsea last weekend, the commute may include fear.
Many students at Rutgers have internships in New York City — a prime location for opportunities in all types of careers.
The high-level of threat began after a bomb was placed in a dumpster, exploding and injuring 29 people. Another bomb was found four blocks away, but never detonated. Early Monday morning, five pipe bombs were found in the Elizabeth Train Station and detonated as a bomb robot examined the item.
Although there is an aura of fear around the area, students must still fulfill their responsibilities and go to work.
Lea Ginefra, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, commutes to New York City a couple of times a week for her job as a music programming intern at SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Ginefra said the whole situation is “honestly pretty frightening.”
“I’m nervous to not only be in the area where the bombing happened, but in the city in general. Things will most likely be chaotic and I’ll probably have a hard time getting to work tomorrow with the security everywhere,” she said.
Ginefra works in Rockefeller Center, about 20 blocks away from the bombing in Chelsea.
In response to the bombing, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) decided to deploy 1,000 police officers to err on the side of caution.
Although it may seem like situations like these are reported on every day, Ginefra said she was never briefed on emergency situations and would use her gut feelings in the case of an emergency.
“I guess my natural instinct would be to get out of the building (if there was a bomb threat),” she said. “I would definitely stay far away from the windows, and maybe under a table or something.
She said she believes she should be briefed and all employees should go through some type of emergency training. Additionally, she said Rutgers should create some type of protocol for students.
Amanda Choo, a student in the Graduate School of Education, said there is currently a protocol for students who are working or interning internationally, but University Career Services could not confirm if there is or is not a protocol to contact students working in the tri-state area or a way to account for them in case of an emergency.
According to University Career Services, there will be extra security at the Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair on Wednesday following the bombings and the suspicious package.
Choo said there will be a police officer patrolling the floor as well as a community service officer (CSO) inspecting bags before entering the career fair. Chu strongly encourages students not to bring bags.
Choo said she could not speak on behalf of the University at large.
“Students that we know about ... of course we’re going to be concerned and keep track of them,” she said.
Sophie Nieto-Munoz is a School of Communication and Information senior majoring in journalism and media studies and Italian. She is an associate news editor for The Daily Targum. You can find her on Twitter @snietomunoz for more.
