UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA
Almanac

Tuesday,
February 4, 1997
Volume 43, Number 20

IN THIS ISSUE

News in Brief: Status of Benefits Report, Faculty Club Menus on Homepage, Recreation Fees
$10 Million to Huntsman IS&B Program
$1 Million from Spencer to GSE
Death of Dr. Kleinzeller
The Sue Holmes Reassignment: Messages from EVP John Fry and from Lt. Holmes
Alice Paul Awards Nominations
Summer Research Grants for Faculty
Scholarship in International Geriatrics
Council: Communications Committee's Proposed Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources

COMPASS Features
-- A Treasure Trove in Linguistics
-- Quiz Kids on Campus
-- Well Said
-- Nuggets on Eating
-- Innovation Corner: Professional Development and Quality of Worklife Programs

OPPORTUNITIES
Recreation Fees Spring '97
Masks Exhibited at Burrison Gallery
Update
CrimeStats
Recreation Jobs
Police Presence on 40th Street


Safety Services on the Move

The move-in was major as half a dozen campus and city safety units consolidated at 204-206 40th Street last week. The movers shown here are Ken Waidelich (left) and Bill Graw (right). Beyond them in the photo are the Free Public Library and part of Superblock. Photo by Candace diCarlo

The Police Presence on 40th Street

Back when the stores at 40th Street were new, it was a variety story called Marty's. Then it sat vacant with a "For Rent" sign for several years.

But last Friday, in a makeover that took only 57 days after the penstroke that firmed up the decision, the two storefronts south of Burger King on 40th Street had been renovated as a consolidated safety complex for Penn Police Services and the Special Services Unit. President Judith Rodin and EVP John Fry credited Associate Treasurer D-L Wormley of the 40th Street Action Team, and Police Operations Director Maureen Rush for the brisk implementation of the decision to pull services together now.

Pending the renovation of a larger space in the 4100 block of Chestnutwhich will take longer40th Street is now the nerve center of prevention and victim support not only for the campus police but also for some of its partners in safety.

It is headquarters for a joint Penn-Philadelphia mini-station; Penn's Student Town Watch and the Walking Escort; Sensormatic (the contractor working on high-tech improvements in security here); Spectaguard (the firm chosen for consolidation of private security services throughout the University); and the campus police's own Communications Center, Penn Police Bike Patrol Unit, Crime Prevention and Community Relations, and Victim Support Services.

During the open house, Special Services' new director, Susan Hawkins, was introduced with the added role of community relations services. (See also two messages in this issue, regarding the reassignment of Lt. Susan Holmes.)

Now in Progress: Phase II

As Friday's opening of the mini-station signaled the end of Phase I of the 40th Street project, Phase II has already begun, said Ms. Wormley, who also introduced the new co-chair of the 40th Street Action Team, Laurie Cousart of Telecommunications.

Phase II will focus on installing/upgrading lighting, providing clean and repaired sidewalks, planting street trees, and adding finishing touches on the stores now known as the Hamilton Village Shops.

"We are also coordinated with the Special Services District efforts, the vendor plan development and the various lighting initiatives announced recently," Ms. Wormley added. "Our target date for completion is August 1, but we expect the sidewalk work, tree planting and preparation for pole light installation will be done in mid-March."

As an outgrowth of the 40th Street Project, Penn was approached by Campus Apartments about improving rental properties' lighting, sidewalks, and facades, and one neighborhood walk has already been held to identify sites in need of upgrading. David Adelman of Campus Apartments and John Greenwood of University City Associates/Trammel Crow are taking the lead, Ms. Wormley said, "but we fully expect the other major landlords to join the effort.

"The initial phase will focus on the blocks between Sansom and Spruce/40th to 42nd," she continued, "but expansion is expected. The leaders of this effort are also coordinating with UC-Brite so residential properties on the blocks aren't left out."

Public Safety's electronic specialist, Chris Algard, and Glenn Bryan of Community Relations are also working on gathering input from community members about blue-light phones, which became an issue when homeowners on a secluded block raised questions both about the physical placement of phones and about their potential to increase the perception that the neighborhood is unsafe.


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