Left, top-bottom: Dylan Smoot, Albert Tang, Stephanie Bieder. Right, top-bottom: Emma Ducchessci, Swetha Rao, William Rainow.

Drexel Public Safety extends a heartfelt congratulations to all our graduating Dragons, and best wishes to the entire University community this summer. This issue of Public Safety & U is packed with safety tips to help you start the season off right. Plus: Celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth.

Congratulations, Graduates of Drexel EMS!

Public Safety has the privilege of working with our student-run Drexel EMS every year. Through this partnership, we’ve had the opportunity to watch students come in during their first year and dedicate most of their subsequent years of study and thousands of service hours to the Drexel community. To say we are proud of their accomplishments is an understatement. A special shoutout to the EMS seniors who are graduating this year! We commend you on a job well done and wish you continued success in your future.

• Dylan Smoot plans to attend Drexel University College of Medicine to pursue an MD.
• Albert Tang plans to attend medical school after graduation to become a dual EM/EMS physician.
• Stephanie Bieder plans to work as the health director for a boarding school program while finishing physician assistant school applications.
• Emma Ducchessci plans to spend four more years on campus as she is preparing to work on her medical degree with the College of Medicine.
• Swetha Rao plans to attend medical school, with interests in pediatric psychiatry/neurology and neonatology.
• William Rainow plans to attend medical school with the hopes of becoming a cardiologist or an orthopedic surgeon.

Reminders and Complimentary Services for Off-campus Move-out

Keeping our residences clean and properly disposing of trash — even and especially during move-out — goes a long way toward fostering a safe and vibrant community. To assist off-campus students during this move-out season, Drexel University, in partnership with The Enterprise Center and Rego (which benefits Habitat ReStore), provides complimentary curbside donation and bulk trash disposal for off-campus students from June 18 through July 5. Please be a good neighbor and take advantage of these services while they are available. See details below and on the Drexel Business Services website. Additional move-out information was shared in last month’s Public Safety & U.

• Bulk Trash Pick-up: Student residents living in the Powelton and Mantua neighborhoods (Mantua Avenue to Market Street and 31^st to 42^nd streets) are encouraged to place items for curbside service no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than noon daily for a same-day pick-up to reduce overnight debris. The Enterprise Center will conduct two daily “sweeps” of the coverage area for bulk trash items.Items that qualify include mattresses, tables, dressers and other furniture. This service will not pick up household trash, including bagged trash; residents should follow their standard city trash and recycling guidelines.  
• Bulk Trash Dumpster Locations: Outside of 6 a.m. to noon, students may use three dumpster locations to dispose of bulk items:  3240 Powelton Ave. (off-street/curb), 3412 Powelton Ave. and 3608 Powelton Ave.
• Donations via Rego: Drexel is partnering with Rego to help residents donate used furniture more easily and affordably, while helping provide items to Habitat ReStore. For more information on this program, visit the Rego website. 

Help Prevent “Piggybacking” Into Locked Buildings

“Piggbybacking,” also known as “tailgating,” is the act of following someone into a locked building without swiping an access card or using a key. Most of the time when we hold the door open for someone or otherwise let them in behind us, it’s an act of courtesy toward a fellow member of our University community. But this practice can have unintended consequences when someone who is not authorized to be in that particular building takes advantage of your kindness. 

Ask yourself this question, “Would I let someone walk into my residence without knowing who they are or what their intentions are?” The answer for most of us is, no. All Drexel University buildings are accessible only to valid DragonCard holders for a reason: to enhance the safety of our campus.

What can you do to prevent tailgating?

• Always swipe your DragonCard to enter a campus building; don’t expect or ask others to hold the door for you. This will help to establish the norm of swiping our cards to access buildings every time – and always remember to keep your ID with you. If you forgot or lost your DragonCard, follow the procedures outlined on the DragonCard website.
• Don’t hold locked doors open for others to follow behind you. The potential consequences of someone getting into one of our buildings or your residence are much worse than politely declining to let someone follow you through a door, even if they tell you they lost their ID.
• Report suspicious individuals trying to gain access by calling Drexel Public Safety at 215.895.2222 immediately.

Public safety is a shared responsibility, and we need your help to keep our campus buildings secure.

Summertime Vehicle Safety Tips

Earlier this month, Public Safety reported that Drexel Police and Philadelphia Police are investigating an increase in thefts of electric scooters and incidents involving vandalism and thefts from vehicles within and around Drexel’s University City Campus. Remember to always lock your vehicle, close all windows and sunroof, take your keys, and never leave your vehicle running when unattended. Use a high-quality lock or combination of locks that properly fits your electric scooter, and register your scooter with Drexel Public Safety. To help prevent theft, Drexel Police are providing a limited number of steering wheel locks students, faculty, staff and local residents; you can stop by Drexel Police headquarters at 3219 Arch St. to arrange to pick up a steering wheel lock for your vehicle.

Planning a road trip this summer? Drexel Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would like to share some important information to know before you go!

• Children are at high risk for heat stroke. Children's body temperature rises between 3-5 times faster than an adult. Temperatures in the 60s with a cracked window can be deadly to a child. Don't risk it! Please remove children from parked vehicles.
• Be sure to check your cabin filter. A clogged or dirty cabin filter can make it more difficult for your air conditioning to work properly in the summer.
• Check hoses and belts for blisters, dry rot, cracks, and bulges, replace them before they become a roadside service call. You should also check the hose connections, make sure they're secure.
• Make sure tires are properly inflated to save gas and prevent damage to your tires prematurely.
• Check for any recalls your vehicle may have before you hit the road.

2023 Data Added to DPS Workload and Crime Dashboard

The Drexel Public Safety Workload and Crime Dashboard has now been updated with 2023 data, providing three years’ worth of information (2021–2023) about the work of the Drexel University Police Department (DUPD) in three categories: calls for service, criminal statistics, and arrests and criminal complaints. The Dashboard is part of Public Safety’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the relationship between the DUPD and the University community. As a reminder, the dashboard is intended to reflect the workload of the DUPD, not to provide comprehensive, real-time crime and safety information. You can find more up-to-date information in the Daily Crime Log and Fire Report. Please send any questions, concerns or feedback about the Dashboard directly to Drexel Public Safety at dps@drexel.edu or to the Drexel Public Safety Oversight Committee at dps-oversight@drexel.edu.

A DUPD Officer’s Reflections on Juneteenth

“As a minority in the profession of law enforcement, it gives me the privilege and honor to embrace my culture as an African American police officer. I am blessed to exercise the current opportunities that I have due to the sacrifice of my ancestors. Juneteenth represents the abolishment of slavery and the freedom for all African Americans. My ancestors have paved the way for me to be in the position that I am due to their bravery and commitment for human rights. Drexel University provides a platform where I can showcase my talents, skills, and abilities, not only as a police officer but as an individual who relates to the people in the community whom I serve and protect. Seeing me patrol as an African American police officer, people can identify in my struggle, pain, commitment, bravery, and humility, which stems from the past years of our great African American leaders who played pivotal roles and became a voice of reason for minorities who thrive in their desired career fields today. Juneteenth is a holiday that comes around once a year, but it is remembered every day through the changes and sacrifices of African Americans today.” — Drexel University Police Officer Trent Tolbert

A Drexel Dispatcher’s Reflections on Pride Month

“Pride month is a time that we as the LGBTQ+ community should be celebrating out victories both big and small, but also taking into consideration the struggles that still lie ahead allowing for us to recommit ourselves to the work yet to be done. As a member of both the Department of Public Safety as well as the LGBTQ+ community, I can see that the work here at Drexel is not done. Through advocacy, education, and simply doing the right thing the Department of Public Safety can live up to its mission, ‘To enrich the quality of life of our community by providing a safe and secure environment based upon effective relationships and excellence in service.’ The feeling of acceptance and equality is an important aspect to the culture of a university. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, employee, and fellow Dragon, I hope that all the members of our community are taking part in acceptance!” — Drexel Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor Jordan Busch

Community Commitments

Save the Date: National Night Out, Aug. 6, 5–8 p.m., Lancaster Walk

Learn How to Be SAFE With Hands-on Classes

Public Safety’s self-protection program, Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE), is open to any student, faculty or professional staff member looking to develop skills for fostering their personal safety. Due to the hands-on nature of the class, it is strongly recommended that you register with a fellow Dragon. Participation in the techniques is recommended, but not required. Registration is required 72 hours prior to the class. You can register via Eventbrite for these classes, which are also available by request for your group. Watch a class in action in this video feature created by Drexel students.

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