International Student & Scholar Handbook
Staying Safe
Living in Philadelphia has many advantages: cultural diversity, historical areas, and night life attractions. However, like other big cities in the US, Philadelphia also has some disadvantages, one of which is the problem of public safety. Being aware of and taking appropriate safety precautions can help you avoid problems.
Division of Public Safety
The Division of Public Safety's primary purpose is to educate the Penn Community on how to be safe and secure on campus and in Philadelphia.
Division of Public Safety
4040 Chestnut St.
Tel: 215-898-7297
Web: http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/
In an emergency:
On campus, call:
University Police:
511 (from a campus phone)
or
215-573-3333 (from off campus)Off campus, call:
Philadelphia Police
911
or
University Police
215-573-3333
Familiarize yourself with the Personal Safety Tips provided by the Penn Police and follow them meticulously and consistently: http://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/Resources_safetyTips.asp.
Topics include:
- Safety Tips in the Office, Classroom, or Lab
- Safety Tips in the Library
- Safety Tips on the Street
- Safety Tips in your Campus Residence, Fraternity, or Sorority
- Safety Tips in your Off-campus Residence
- Safety Tips on your Bike
- Safety Tips in your Car
- Bicycle Registration
- University Bicycle Policy
- Operation Identification
- Fraud and Flim Flams
- Con Artists
- Telephone Harassment
- Computing Security
- Preventing Accidental Injury
- Homelessness and Panhandling
- Fire Drills
- Bomb Threat Information
Do not carry your passport as your ID. Instead, use your PennCard or consider obtaining a Pennsylvania State identification card from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/.
You may also wish to carry a photocopy of your passport information page, visa stamp page, and I-94 card, though it is rare that you would be asked for immigration documentation.
Know Your Rights
If you are accused of committing a crime and have been arrested, remember that you have certain rights. You should notify ISSS staff as soon as possible as we may be able to assist you.
You also have the right to notify your government about your arrest or detainment. If you choose to do so, the police must inform the appropriate consulate or embassy immediately. Your consular officers have the right to visit you and arrange for your legal representation. Many countries (i.e., China, Nigeria, and Singapore) require that the consul be notified when their nationals are confined or detained. In these cases, you have no choice in the matter of whether the authorities notify your consulate; they must do so.
If you are accused of a crime, in most cases you should obtain legal advice from an attorney.
In addition, the American Civil Liberties Union (http://www.aclu.org/) is the United States' (self-appointed) "guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and the laws of the United States." Their site includes information about your individual rights if arrested, including an informational document called a bustcard which details possible situations and what you should do