Happy New Year! Although we’re halfway through January, it’s never too late to make resolutions that will improve your personal safety. Drexel Public Safety (DPS) urges all Dragons to use the information and resources available on the website to have a safe and healthy 2023, and beyond. To get you started, here are a few resolutions suggested by Drexel Community Relations Officers Tom Cirone and Kim McClay:
- Be more aware of your surroundings. Don’t be on your phone while walking around campus or the city. Keep valuables hidden. Report anything that looks suspicious to Public Safety immediately by calling 895.2222. Add another layer of security when traveling on foot around University City by using a free walking escort offered by Public Safety 24/7. To request an escort, just call 215.895.2222, use an emergency phone, or ask any officer on duty.
- Download and get to know the Drexel Guardian App. Check your cell phone – do you have the Drexel Guardian app installed? If not, there’s no time like the present to turn your phone into a personalized safety device with this free app (If you already have the app, open it up and explore how it works.) In the event of an emergency, Guardian allows the Drexel Public Safety Communications Center to immediately access important information about you, such as your name, photograph, important medical information and location, when you initiate contact through the app — dramatically increasing the odds that they can find you and help you during an emergency. The service is free and voluntary, and the information you provide is kept completely confidential. To download the app, search “Rave Guardian” in the Apple App Store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Android phones and register using your Drexel email address.
- Invest time in yourself by participating in a self-protection class. Public Safety’s free self-protection program, SAFE (Self-Awareness For Everyone), offers Drexel students, faculty and staff practical skills, resources and knowledge to increase their personal safety and protect themselves in an unsafe situation. Plus, these classes are fun, and you can take them with friends! The hands-on program (approximately 4.5 hours) focuses on mindset, self-awareness, techniques that could assist in the event of a physical assault, and information on how and to whom one should report incidents and any safety concerns. Upcoming scheduled sessions are on Feb. 16 and March 14 from 5–9:30 p.m. You can sign up for one of these classes on Qualtrics, but they’re also available by request. Additional Public Safety workshops are detailed in the “Community Commitments” section of this newsletter.
- Practice safer kitchen habits. Make it a point to brush up on fire safety and remind your friends and loved ones of these tips, particularly when cooking:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
- If you must leave the room even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Turn off all burners and ovens when you finish cooking.
- Never pour water on a grease fire.
Find more safety tips on the DPS website. Have any safety resolutions of your own to share? Tweet us @DrexelDPS!
Welcome to the Squad: Four New Police Officers Sworn in
Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of Police Mel Singleton and his command staff recently swore in four new officers to the Drexel University Police Department. Please join DPS in welcoming Officers Michael Ricciardi, Charles Hendricks, Trent Tolbert and Robert Mullarkey! Upon completion of their training, you will see them patrolling campus, so feel free to say hello.
Plan Ahead for Winter Weather
Winter is upon us – make sure you’re prepared, whether you’re holing up for a snowstorm or braving the cold to travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has valuable tips and a handy infographic on its website to help you prepare and stay safe amidst severe winter weather. Don’t wait for disaster to strike – there are many steps you can take well before that winter weather advisory gets issued.
Did You Know? E-Bikes and Scooters Can Pose Fire Hazard
The popularity of electric bikes and electric scooters (e-bikes and e-scooters) has taken off over the past few years. Lithium-ion batteries are usually the source of power for both, and if not used correctly, or if damaged, those batteries can catch on fire or explode. That’s why Drexel’s Office of Fire and Emergency Services prohibits e-bikes or e-scooters to be connected to any electric outlet within Drexel buildings. If you use e-bikes or e-scooters, please review important safety tips to keep in mind when charging or storing these devices, or download the PDF bulletin issued by Public Safety.
Community Commitments
Warm Up at Cookies With Cops: Jan. 18
Join the Drexel Police Department on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 3-5 p.m. at 33rd and Arch streets for an afternoon treat and conversation.
Educational Programs: Learn How to Protect Yourself
Remember earlier about the resolutions to be safer? Cross that off your list with the opportunities listed below to learn from Drexel experts — for free! — about steps you could be taking every day to keep you and your office safe.
- Your Safety Is Our Goal: This monthly 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. The next scheduled events are 24 and Feb. 23, at 9 a.m. or 4 p.m., and March 21, at 9 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. Sign up for one of these workshops via Qualtrics, or request a session by completing the Request a Presentation Form.
- Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE): As described above, upcoming scheduled sessions for this self-protection class are on 16 and March 14 from 5-9:30 p.m. Sign up for one of these classes on Qualtrics, or request a session.
- Fire & Emergency Services, Emergency Preparedness: The Office of Fire and Emergency Services offers tailored, data-driven awareness and training programs, by request, to help the Drexel community reduce the risks of fire. Additional topics covered are medical emergencies, elevator entrapments, power outages, gas leaks, and other common challenges.
- Workplace Safety Program: The Public Safety & U workplace safety program, available by request, is designed to empower and educate members of the Drexel community and can be customized to address the unique security challenges of your unit and identify solutions.
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
To learn more about Drexel Public Safety, visit drexel.edu/publicsafety.