Just like you, Drexel Public Safety (DPS) has had a busy start to the fall. From preparing the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (more on that below) to hosting the very first, jam-packed Public Safety Day, DPS is as dedicated as ever to supporting the community and keeping Dragons safe and informed.
In this edition of PS&U, learn more about the Clery Act and what it means for Drexel, refresh your memory about how to prevent fires in the kitchen and what to do when the fire alarm sounds, and save the date for upcoming events around Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Plus: a guide to Drexel’s walking escort services and a spook-tacular recap of Public Safety Day.
What Is the Clery Act?
If you’ve visited Public Safety’s website and read DPS’s community notices before, you’ve likely seen the Clery Act mentioned. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) requires colleges and universities to report campus crime data, support victims of violence and publicly outline the policies and procedures they have put into place to improve campus safety. You can learn more about the Clery Act by visiting the Clery Center’s website.
In compliance with the Clery Act, Drexel University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASR) containing important safety information, policy statements and crime statistics. Public Safety just published the 2023 ASR, which contains three years of crime statistics and current security policies, at drexel.edu/cleryreport. ASRs from the past five years are archived on the DPS website.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding reported Clery statistics, please call 215.895.1550 or email cleryact@drexel.edu.
Get to Know Us: Maurizio “Moe” DeLisi
Speaking of the Clery Act: This month, Public Safety & U is spotlighting Director of Clery Compliance and Administrator for Criminal Justice Information Systems Maurizio DeLisi, better known as Moe! He has been at Drexel for 15 years. He enjoys meeting and working with various campus community members.
“The work we do in engaging with our community members provides many opportunities for learning and collaboratively solving problems,” said DeLisi.
DeLisi encourages all members of the University community to take time to read Drexel’s Annual Security Report to learn about the Clery Act, review the University’s crime statistics and familiarize themselves with institutional policies related to campus security, including topics such as alcohol use, drug use, crime prevention, reporting of incidents and the rights of people who have been victimized by sexual assault.
A fun fact that Moe shared: His favorite place to travel is Italy. It is his birthplace, and he always enjoys the opportunity to visit with his extended family that resides there.
Cooking Safety Starts With YOU: Five Fire Prevention Tips
This year’s Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 8–14) was all about safety in the kitchen (or wherever you’re cooking). According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half (49 percent) of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and related deaths.”
Here are five cooking safety tips from NFPA:
- Stay alert: Always keep a close eye on what you’re cooking. For foods with longer cooking times, such as those that are simmering or baking, set a timer to help monitor them. Stay in the kitchen and only cook when you’re alert (not sleepy or impaired).
- Secure flammable items: Clear the area of combustible items and keep anything out of the way that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging and paper towels.
- Be strategic with pot handles and lids: Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Keep kids and pets safe: Create a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least three feet (one meter) around the cooking area and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Mind the microwave: Plug the microwave oven directly into the wall outlet — never use an extension cord. Use only microwave-safe food containers or dishes — never aluminum foil or metal. If you have a fire in the microwave, leave the door closed, turn the oven off and unplug it from the wall. If the fire does not go out, get outside and call the fire department.
Download and reference this College Campus Fire Safety tipsheet [PDF] for more tips specific to the student experience.
What to Do When the Fire Alarm Sounds at Drexel
Emergency evacuation drills are conducted on Drexel’s campus annually for all buildings and quarterly for residential buildings, per the Philadelphia Fire Code. When the fire alarm sounds — whether it’s a drill or not — every person is required to evacuate the building immediately. Close doors behind you and quickly exit the building.
- DO NOT USE ELEVATORS FOR EVACUATION.
- Evacuation is required every time the fire alarm sounds, regardless of the cause.
- Leave the building quickly and quietly and proceed in an orderly manner to the designated assembly area.
- The building is not to be reentered until an “All Clear” is announced by a University official.
Visit DPS’s Fire and Emergency Services unit on the web for more fire safety tips.
October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
In the United States, October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). During this month, individuals, organizations and communities are called upon to raise awareness for domestic violence, intimate partner violence and all types of relationship violence — physical, mental, emotional, financial and beyond — and to promote methods for prevention. The Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC), in collaboration with other Drexel departments and organizations, is promoting methods for domestic violence prevention at various events throughout the month of October.
You can find Public Safety’s Victim Services Coordinator Amy Spiller at the “We Support You” tabling event at 33rd and Arch streets on Oct. 16, and on Oct. 12 and 26 for Purple Thursdays along Lancaster Walk.
Public Safety’s Walking Escorts Are Here for You
As the days get shorter and it gets dark earlier, all Dragons are encouraged to use Drexel Public Safety’s walking escort services if they feel unsafe traveling at night or any time during the day. Allied Universal Security Officers are available to make your walk a safer one! You can learn more from Public Safety & U October 2022, which outlines the walking escort experience in detail from the officers’ perspectives.
Upon request, Public Safety security officers provide walking escorts for Drexel students, faculty and professional staff within our patrol boundaries: 30th to 36th streets and Chestnut to Spring Garden streets. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information and to request a walking escort: Call Public Safety on 215.895.2222; use one of the many building and blue-light emergency phones located across campus; or ask any Public Safety officer on patrol or inside a building.
Escorts are also provided by University City District Ambassadors from 10–3 a.m. between 30th Street and 42nd Street from Wallace Street to Woodland Avenue and from 42nd Street to 50th Street from Market Street to Woodland Avenue. To request a walking escort from University City District, call 215.387.3942. In Center City, walking escorts are available at the New College Building by calling the security desk at 267.359.2380.
Community Commitments
A Successful and Fun Public Safety Day: Thank You for Participating!
On Oct. 4, Public Safety hosted its first annual Public Safety Day with three events throughout campus. We could not be happier with the overwhelming response we had at all these events. You drank coffee with us, did push-ups, painted pumpkins, played lawn games, decorated cookies and most importantly, had a conversation with an officer that you may not have known before these events. Thank you for joining us, and to our campus partners for your participation!
Stop by HQ for a Free Steering Wheel Lock
Drexel affiliates and surrounding community residents who own a Hyundai or Kia can come to Drexel University Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St. and pick up a steering wheel lock free of charge. A valid driver’s license and proof of Hyundai or Kia vehicle registration will be required to receive the steering wheel lock.
Try Our Self-Protection Course, SAFE, This Fall
Public Safety’s self-protection program, Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE), is split into two sessions: SAFE I and SAFE II. Due to the hands-on nature of the class, we strongly recommend 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. These classes are also available by request for your group.
- SAFE I classes will be offered the second week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. Upcoming classes are on Nov. 8 and Nov. 13.
- SAFE II classes will be offered the fourth week of every month on Monday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. and cannot be taken until you have completed SAFE I. Upcoming classes are on Oct. 23, Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Nov. 27.
Want a sneak peek into what a class is like? Check out the video feature created by Drexel students on the DPS website.
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: 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, medical emergencies, elevator entrapments, power outages, gas leaks and other common challenges.
- Workplace Safety Program: The Public Safety & U workplace safety program is designed to empower and educate members of the Drexel community and 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