The start of spring term brings improved weather and lots of fresh opportunities, whether it be a new class or co-op, a project, or other activities. For Public Safety, it’s the perfect time to share helpful safety information and reminders, celebrate dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week, and get out into the nice weather to connect with and serve the community. All this and more in this edition of Public Safety & U! 

Welcome to Spring Term: Reminders & Resources

Dragons have a responsibility to themselves, their classmates and colleagues, and the community at large to help maintain a safe environment for everyone. As spring term commences, Public Safety would like to provide some reminders and resources to uphold this critical goal: 

See Something? Say Something. Please add Public Safety’s number, 215.895.2222, to your mobile phone contacts. You can use this number 24/7 to connect with trained dispatchers who will answer and send help your way. Report any suspicious activity or concerns immediately using this number, or call 911 during any emergency. 

Get Connected to Public Safety’s Alerts & App

• DrexelALERT is an emergency notification system that provides timely dissemination of crime and safety alerts via text messaging and email. The DrexelALERT webpage explains how to update your contact information to ensure you are receiving these messages.
• Drexel Guardian is an app with a one-touch dialing feature to call for help or activate a GPS locator during an emergency, which allows the Drexel Communications Center to immediately locate and assist you. Drexel Guardian will not track you nor share your information unless you initiate an emergency. To download the app, search for “Rave Guardian” in the app store or Google Play store.

Get Around Campus Safely and Efficiently

• Carry your DragonCard with you at all times while on campus, as it is still required to access campus buildings.
• If you’re traveling on foot, Public Safety offers walking escorts within our patrol boundaries in University City upon request, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request an escort, call 215.895.2222, use a blue-light emergency phone, or ask any security or police officer on patrol. You can also utilize the virtual timed escort through the Drexel Guardian App.
• Going farther? Drexel Real Estate and Facilities provides safe rides on its three shuttle bus routes: Center City (Dragon Route), Powelton/Spring Garden and Queen Lane. You must present your official Drexel ID and wear a mask to board a shuttle.

Guard Against Theft

• Register Your Property: Most crimes on campus are unattended thefts. Safeguard your valuables and use Public Safety’s free service to register your property (bikes, laptops, skateboards, cell phones, larger headphones) by bringing them to Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch Street, where your item’s details will be logged into the registration system.
• Secure Your Vehicle: Lock your vehicles, remove your keys from the vehicle, and never leave your car running, even if you are just going into a store for a quick errand. Park in well-lit areas and do not leave any items, including small change, in view inside of your vehicle.

Be Kind to Others — and to Yourself

• Off-campus students play an important role in the development of a positive relationship between the University and the community, and there are many ways for you to be a good neighbor. Introduce yourself to your neighbors — get to know and be respectful of their lifestyles, which may differ from yours. Maintain your property’s appearance, follow the rules for proper trash disposal, and participate in neighborhood cleanups when you can. Be mindful of things like shared walls and the availability of on-street parking. These little things go a long way toward building safe and healthy communities.
• Take time to care for yourself. The beginning of a new term always brings new challenges and stress. Talk to friends, colleagues and family members, or contact Drexel’s Counseling Center at counseling@drexel.edu or by calling 895.1415. During off-hours or emergencies, call the on-call counselor at 215.416.3337. Please know that Drexel’s Responsible Dragon Amnesty Policy ensures that students can seek medical attention or assistance any time without fear of disciplinary action. No matter the issue, we are here to ensure you get the help you need.

Thank You, Telecommunicators!

April 10-16 is National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week (NPSTW), when we recognize dispatchers for their hard work, diligence, and dedication in serving the public. In this section of the newsletter, learn more about the role of a telecommunicator, and get to know some of the friendly faces at the end of the line at Drexel!

What Does a Telecommunicator Do?

With 15 full-time and two part-time dispatchers, the Drexel University Public Safety Communications Center acts as the eyes and ears for all campus activity. It serves as the crucial link between the University community and all services provided by Public Safety, Drexel Police and the Philadelphia police and fire departments. This centralized Communications Center is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week by dispatchers who are certified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. They are the ones who respond when you call 215.895.2222 or use your Drexel Guardian mobile app.

Get to Know Drexel’s Telecommunicators

Share Your Appreciation Online

From April 10–16, use the hashtags #NPSTW2022 and #DrexelPublicSafety to share a social media thank-you to our Drexel dispatchers. Let’s applaud dispatchers here at Drexel, as well as those working across the country, and make NPSTW 2022 a memorable one!

Community Commitments

Cookies With Cops

With warmer weather on the horizon, Public Safety is transitioning from Cocoa With Cops to Cookies (and Lemonade) with Cops! Swing by for a chance to interact with Drexel police officers while enjoying some refreshments and conversation to break up your day. The next events will be held April 13 and May 11 from 4:30–6 p.m. on the southeast corner of 33^rd and Arch streets, next to Buckley Field entrance.

Be Prepared, Not Scared, With “Your Safety Is Our Goal”

Join the Public Safety team for “Your Safety Is Our Goal,” an engaging community training on situational preparedness, happening monthly on Zoom. The next sessions are on April 25 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Register via Qualtrics. If you have a community or group you would like Public Safety to present to, or would like to propose an alternate presentation time, please contact Officer Tom Cirone at tjc94@drexel.edu or Officer Kim McClay at kam556@drexel.edu. See you there!

Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE)

Public Safety’s self-protection program, SAFE, aims to give Drexel students, faculty and professional staff the practical skills, resources and knowledge to increase their personal safety and protect themselves in an unsafe situation. The program focuses on your mindset, self-awareness, techniques that could assist in the event of a physical assault, and information on how and to whom you should report incidents and any safety concerns. Classes are currently being scheduled by request for either individuals or groups. To schedule a session, please contact Linda Moran at lmm467@drexel.edu for more information.

Visit Public Safety at EarthFest

EarthFest is on April 19 (rain date April 20) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., along Lancaster Walk and at the Gateway Garden, spanning 32nd and 34th streets and Market and Arch streets. Stop by and say hello to Public Safety, where they be offering bike registration and other resources to the community.

Important Reminders

We’re Here for You When You Need Us

Please call 215.895.2222 immediately if you experience or witness a crime. The Communications Center is staffed 24/7 to serve you, whether you choose to remain anonymous when making a report. It is vital that crimes are reported promptly to Drexel Police so that they can be investigated, and so that Public Safety can connect the victim(s) with proper resources.

Emergency Numbers
215.895.2222 or 911
TTY: 215.571.4141

Walking Escorts

215.895.2222

To learn more about Drexel Public Safety, visit drexel.edu/publicsafety