Public Safety’s summer interns from WorkReady and Philadelphia Youth Network pose with Chief Mel Singleton, Deputy Chief Adams and Lieutenant Santiago.
Drexel Public Safety (DPS) would like to officially welcome you (or welcome you back) to campus! We hope you had a great summer and are excited to start the new term.
It’s a new school year, but DPS’ commitment to your safety remains the same — it’s our utmost priority. In this issue, we’ve prepared a shortlist of crucial resources for you to make the most of your time at Drexel while also keeping yourself safe. Plus: a breakdown of all the events DPS is participating in during move-in and Welcome Week, an invitation to give feedback and a recap of the eventful summer we’ve had.
Get Ready for Fall Term: Safety Tips and Resources
As part of our kickoff to the fall term, DPS would like to share a few safety tips to familiarize yourself with before you come to campus next month. Now is a great time to make sure you have these resources!
1. Turn your mobile devices into safety resources:
- Store DPS’ emergency number — 215.895.2222 — in your phone. Add 215.895.2222 to your mobile phone contacts list and label it “Drexel Public Safety.” The DPS Communications Center is operational 24/7, and our dispatchers are available to answer your calls for emergencies, for a walking escort, or to report a crime or suspicious activity. Having an emergency, and don’t have your phone with you? You can also use one of the campus blue-light emergency telephones located throughout campus to reach the DPS Communications Center.
- Download the Drexel Guardian app via iOS or Google Play. In the event of an emergency, Drexel Guardian allows the Communications Center to immediately access important information about you. Utilize the virtual walking escort feature with built-in safety timer, one-touch buttons to contact Drexel Police or your local 911 call center, as well as the ability to text the DPS Communications Center in the event you are unable to speak aloud while experiencing or reporting an emergency.
- Follow DPS on social media. Drexel Public Safety is on Instagram @drexelpublicsafety and on X (formerly Twitter) @DrexelDPS. Follow us for updates on our community engagement events and helpful safety tips.
2. Stay alert and receive alerts
DrexelALERT is an emergency notification system that provides fast dissemination of crime and safety alerts to Drexel students, faculty and professional staff via text messaging and email. (Please note: New, incoming students will begin to receive alerts approximately six weeks before the start of their first term.)
It’s important to understand that the “Citizen” app that most are familiar with is not always accurate and may not provide factual information. DrexelALERT notifications are the best way to receive up-to-date reliable information, and its effectiveness depends upon individuals providing accurate personal contact information. At the start of each term, students, faculty and professional staff are asked to confirm and update their contact information when they log in to DrexelOne. Public Safety's website has instructions on how to confirm or update your contact information and will also provide additional updates when alerts are disseminated.
3. Safeguard your belongings
DPS encourages all Drexel affiliates to register valuable items including bikes, laptops, mobile phones, scooters, skateboards, etc., through the property registration program, so if any of these items get stolen, law enforcement will have valuable crime-solving information. You can visit the Drexel University Police Department (DUPD) police headquarters at 3219 Arch St. — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — with your property, or stop by one of the upcoming property registration events:
- Sept. 17, 5–8 p.m., Lancaster Walk (behind the Recreation Center)
- Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Race Street Walk
If you’re planning to keep a bike at Drexel, DPS recommends using a U-lock for optimal safekeeping. Don’t have a U-lock? Bring your bike to one of the above registration events or to police headquarters for a free lock. If you’re unsure how to use a U-lock, watch the instructional video on the DPS website or ask any DUPD officer to demonstrate.
Catch Us at Move-In Weekend/Welcome Week
We know this is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time for new students and their families, and we encourage all Dragons to visit the Welcome Week website, log in to DrexelOne, and follow the registration prompts to sign up for fun, informative, interactive events hosted all week. You can find us throughout campus and at the following events:
Resource Fair tabling event: Sept. 14 and 15 (Behrakis Grand Hall, Creese Student Center)
Public Safety Information Sessions: Sept. 14 and 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., every hour on the hour in Nesbitt Hall 125
Property Registration Event With the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA): Sept. 17, 5–8 p.m. on Lancaster Walk
SAFE (Self Awareness for Everyone) classes: Sept. 19. Register for one of the following sessions on the Welcome Week website:
- Session one: 12–3:30 p.m.
- Session two: 4:30–8 p.m., Skyview Lounge, 6th floor of MacAlister Hall
- Registration required
- If neither of these sessions work for your schedule, SAFE classes are also available by request
Property Registration Event with USGA: Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Race Street Lawn
Cookies With Cops with USGA: Sept. 20, 1–2 p.m. on Korman Quad
DPS Summer in Review
Annual Commendation Ceremony
Some members of the DUPD were sworn in at the rank of police officer, while others were awarded for courageous efforts on duty during the department’s annual commendation ceremony. Congratulations to all who were recognized.
DPS’ summer interns with Communications Accreditation Manager Caneisha Bailey.
Special Thanks to Our Summer Interns
Public Safety had the pleasure of hosting two high school interns this summer through the WorkReady and Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) partnership. “PYNterns” Maya and Daniel had six weeks of hands-on experience with us learning how multi-faceted a public safety department is.
They learned the importance of fire safety to the behind the scenes work that our dispatchers do, were introduced to the tools that our investigators utilize, worked community events with us, learned how to light a road flare in an emergency, and conducted research projects.
We learned from them just as much as they learned from us, and we know they will shine bright in their future endeavors!
A collection of snapshots from the fun-filled community event National Night Out, hosted by Public Safety and campus partners.
A Big Thank-you for Another Successful National Night Out
We are more than grateful to our campus partners and community members that came out to support National Night Out this month. The weather cooperated, and we had ourselves a great “night out!” This event enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community and also providing a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Save the date for National Night Out 2025 on Aug. 5!
Community Commitments
Public Safety Seeks Your Feedback
Share comments, concerns and commendations regarding Drexel Public Safety's engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy and compliance with its continued accredited status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). You can add comments on both the Drexel Police (DUPD) portal and the Drexel Public Safety Communications Center (DUPSCC) portal. Portals will be open until Oct. 11. Thank you for your participation!
Additional DPS Educational Programs
You can request any of the following presentations and trainings by completing the Request a Presentation Form.
- Your Safety Is Our Goal: This virtual workshop is a great way to learn how to stay aware of your surroundings and always be prepared, not scared, when moving through the city.
- Fire & Emergency Services, Emergency Preparedness: Offered by request, these tailored, data-driven awareness and training programs address how to prevent and respond to fires, medical emergencies, elevator entrapments, power outages, gas leaks, and other emergencies.
- Public Safety & U Workplace Safety Program: This educational program can be customized to address the unique security challenges of your unit.
We Are Here for You When You Need Us
Please call 215.895.2222 immediately if you experience or witness a crime. Drexel’s Public Safety Communications Center is staffed 24/7 to serve you, whether or not 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. You can also contact DPS through the Drexel Guardian app. 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.
Emergency Numbers
215.895.2222 or 911
TTY: 215.571.4141
Walking Escorts
215.895.2222