Sharing
Responsibility for Safety and Security:
Increasing
Policing and Awareness
September
24, 2003
A
Message to the Penn Community:
We
are aware that University City, like many neighborhoods across
the City of Philadelphia, has experienced an increase in robberies
in recent weeks. We are proactively and immediately taking steps
to counter this recent trend.
Penn
Public Safety has increased the number of both uniformed and plainclothes
police officers and Allied Security officers on patrol during
the evening and early morning hours, both on campus and in the
community where recent robberies have occurred. In addition, the
University City District will deploy additional Safety Ambassadors
between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. The Philadelphia Police, SEPTA Transit
Police and other local law enforcement agencies are adding additional
patrols in our area. More security cameras are being installed
around campus to allow for expanded closed-circuit television
patrols. New cameras will be activated west of 40th
Street.
Safety
and security are a shared responsibility. To that end, we
encourage all Penn students, faculty, and staff to use caution
walking during the late night hours and to utilize the many safety
resources available to them.
Walking
Escorts: The
U.C. Walk program (215-898-WALK) provides
walking escort service 24 hours a day throughout
University City.
Penn Transit Services: Penn
buses run east and west from 5 p.m. to
1 a.m. and Penn Shuttle Services (215-898-RIDE)
provides riders with
off-campus Òto doorÓ service after 6 p.m.
in University City. Penn Shuttle Service to Center City will also
be provided on weekends from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and on weekdays
from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. These services
are available free of charge with
a valid Penn ID.
After 3 a.m.: If
you have
a transportation
need after 3 a.m. please contact Public Safety
at (215)
898-WALK or (215) 573-3333.
I
feel certain that with this increased level of policing and a
heightened awareness by every member of the Penn community, we
are doing everything we can to confront this recent challenge.
We will continue to work with the community to keep our campus
and our neighborhood safe.
--Maureen
Rush, Vice President, Division of Public Safety
Safety Tips from
Penn Public Safety
If
you witness a crime call the Penn Police at 511 from a campus telephone
or 215-573-3333 from a cell phone or an off-campus
telephone.
Familiarize
yourself with the locations
of the blue light telephones on and
around campus. There are more than 215 blue light phones on campus
and throughout the surrounding neighborhood.
If
you feel threatened or unsafe, follow your intuition and contact
the Penn Police by using
a blue light phone or by dialing 511 or
(215) 573-3333. Enter the (215) 573-3333 emergency number into
your cell phone speed dial system.
Avoid
walking home alone late at night. Avoid short-cuts through parks,
vacant lots and other deserted places.
Walk
and park in well-lit areas.
Be
aware of your surroundings. Know that alcohol and drugs compromise
your awareness.
Do
not stop to give directions or other infomation to strangers.
Whenever
possible travel in groups and use Penn escort services at 898-RIDE
or 898-WALK, which are available
to employees as well as students.
Use
indoor ATM machines--there are 27 located on campus. Check
DPS website for locations, www.publicsafety.upenn.edu.
Almanac, Vol. 50, No. 6,
September 30, 2003
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