Brown University Installed 700 Security Cameras
The institution expanded campus safety measures following a 2025 mass shooting that killed two students.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Higher Education
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Brown University has installed 700 new security cameras across its Providence campus as part of a major safety overhaul. This expansion follows a tragic mass shooting in December 2025 that resulted in two student deaths and nine injuries.
Why it matters
The university accelerated these security upgrades in direct response to the 2025 shooting and feedback from students and staff. A campus survey indicated that over half of respondents believed additional exterior cameras would improve safety on campus.
Brown University now maintains nearly 2,000 security cameras across its approximately 300 owned buildings. Survey data revealed that 53% of students, faculty, and staff specifically requested additional exterior camera coverage.
The players
Brown University
This private Ivy League research university is located in Providence and owns approximately 300 buildings.
The details
Beyond the new cameras, the university upgraded its emergency communication systems, increased panic buttons in classrooms, and installed card-swipe access on additional buildings. Brown also appointed a former Providence chief of police to serve as its new security chief.
Timeline
2012: The university launched an initiative to increase the number of cameras on campus.
December 13, 2025: A mass shooting occurred at Brown University.
April 2026: Three survivors filed a lawsuit against the university alleging negligence.
September 23, 2026: Details regarding the security expansion were reported.
Culture Shift
The university's security strategy follows a pattern set by the December 13, 2025 mass shooting. These upgrades mark a transition toward more intensive surveillance and controlled access points across the historic campus.
Students and staff will encounter increased card-swipe requirements and more visible security monitoring throughout campus buildings. The changes are designed to address community-wide safety concerns raised following the 2025 incident.
The takeaway
The installation of these security tools represents a significant change to the daily campus environment in Providence. Moving forward, the university continues to balance open academic access with the heightened physical security demands of its community.
What happens next
The university is currently evaluating potential off-campus sites to serve as permanent evacuation solutions for students and staff.
Further reading
Learn more about campus policies and safety trends on the Higher Education section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Higher Ed Dive.
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