This month’s edition of Public Safety & U focuses on keeping your belongings safe. We hustle and bustle every day, whether it is for work, school or play, and are often sidetracked with whatever life throws at us. For this reason, it is crucial to be aware of how perpetrators can take advantage of us, particularly as it pertains to our vehicles, packages, bikes/scooters and even personal data.
Also in this edition: Come say hello to Drexel Public Safety (DPS) at upcoming Cookies with Cops events where you can test your public safety trivia for a chance to win a gift card to an on-campus merchant! And learn how to donate to and/or help out with the active-duty military package drive now through Dec. 6.
How to Prevent Vehicle Thefts and Break-ins
Vehicle burglaries thefts can happen at any time, day or night. These crimes often occur when personal belongings — such as purses, bags, clothing, laptops and other electronic devices — are left visibly in vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds drivers to safeguard their vehicles. Remember, anything can be valuable to a thief. Here are a few basic tips:
- Lock up: Always roll up your windows and lock all doors.
- Hide belongings: Keep personal items out of sight. Visible property makes your vehicle a target.
- Use your trunk: Store items in your trunk before arriving at your destination. Avoid placing items in the trunk after parking.
- Conceal accessories: Keep cell phone cords and other electronic accessories hidden. Burglars may break a window if they see a cord, hoping to find a device.
- Disable signals: Burglars can detect Bluetooth signals. Turn off Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and power off electronic devices. Put them away before reaching the parking lot.
- Seek assistance: If you’re alone and it’s late, ask security in the building you are leaving, if applicable, to walk you to your vehicle. (Remember: If you’re on campus, you can request a walking escort 24/7 by calling 215.895.2222 or requesting one on the Drexel Guardian app.)
- Choose wisely: Park in well-lit areas.
It’s also important to recognize suspicious activity. Be on the lookout for:
- Individuals walking through parking lots, looking into cars or trying door handles.
- Vehicles driving slowly around parking lots for extended periods, observing parked cars.
- People on bicycles or electronic scooters circling the parking lot.
Tips for Safely Receiving Your Packages
As the holidays approach, bringing with them an uptick of deliveries, please follow these tips to make sure your orders get to you safely:
- Sign up for text message or email alerts.Widely known services like FedEx and UPS allow you to sign up for these alerts to let you know when the expected delivery date is and whether your package has arrived.
- Have your packages sent to a trusted source. If you know you won't be home, ask a neighbor or have them delivered to a P.O. Box. You can also use a UPS location or an Amazon pick-up/return site. The longer your packages sit out unattended, the more likely they are to be stolen.
- Request a signature upon delivery. With services like FedEx or UPS you can normally set up your preferences to need a signature for your package to be given to you. If you are using the S. Postal Service, you will need to arrange for a signature ahead of the package's arrival.
- Utilize the DUPD Safe Transaction Space. If you’re buying, selling or exchanging items with someone online, you can use Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St. to do so safely.
Park Your E-Bike or Scooter Safely
Drexel’s Office of Fire and Emergency Services prohibits e-bikes or e-scooters from being connected to any electric outlet within Drexel buildings for the purpose of charging. There are marked, designated scooter racks throughout campus to properly secure your device. Do not lock your device onto trees, railings or any other property. View a full list of scooter rack locations on the Business Services website.
To see how to properly secure your e-scooter using a U-lock, check out DPS’ related Instagram video!
Brush Up on Your Cybersecurity Knowledge With Drexel IT
Cybersecurity threats are always changing and adapting, which is why it’s so important to stay up to date on the latest best practices and potential pitfalls associated with information technology. In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Drexel IT’s Information Security team held a lecture event on Oct. 18, where they shared important cybersecurity information with the University community. A recording of the event is now available (use passcode: ?K3rX&i0).
To help further support students, faculty and professional staff bolster their understanding of cybersecurity, the Information Security team is sharing the following resources:
- Guidance on cybersecurity best practices regarding student job posting scams, working remotely, passwords, accounts, operating system updates, antivirus, and firewalls
- Drexel University Security Training: A comprehensive resource for cybersecurity awareness, mandatory for faculty and professional staff, and highly recommended for students
- Additional training opportunities, particularly the Palo Alto Academy
If you have questions or are seeking more information about cybersecurity, please contact the Information Security team at informationsecurity@drexel.edu or 215.895.1984.
Participate in the Active-Duty Military Care Package Drive, Nov. 11–Dec. 6
Join the Drexel Public Safety team and Operation Yellow Ribbon in showing support for our men and women of the armed forces who are currently deployed. The Active-Duty Military Care Package Drive runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 6.
Acceptable Items:
- Toiletries: dental floss, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wipes, lip balm, sunscreen, Q-tips, deodorant (no aerosol cans), baby powder.
- Consumables: flavored water packets, hot sauce, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, bagged tuna, coffee, tea, protein bars, peanut butter, candy, nuts, snack cakes, cookies, gum, hard candy.
- Miscellaneous: handwritten note, coloring book, drawing pad, pens, pencils, travel size board games, books, paracord bracelets, stationary.
Here are three ways you can help:
- Bring your items to one of the following locations by Dec. 5 at noon:
- Drexel Central (3141 Chestnut St.), Public Safety (3201 Arch St.), Academic Resource Center (ARC) Korman lobby (15 South 33rd St.), the Rec Center Lobby (3301 Market St.), The Lindy Center (3210 Cherry St.) and Health Sciences Building lobby (60 N. 36th St.).
- Come to the DAC (33rd and Market Street entrance) on Dec. 6 from 9:30–11 a.m. to sort donated items or write thank-you notes and cards to service members.
- A personalized care package can be sent to any active-duty family member/friend of our Drexel community. Please provide the name and address by Dec.. 5 at 5 p.m. to Jane Kelly via email: jbk53@drexel.edu.
- Share the drive PDF flyer with your student group or unit.
Get to Know Us: Officer Kelli Lewis
Prior to joining Drexel Public Safety in April of this year, Officer Kelli Lewis had an extensive career in law enforcement beginning in 1996. One of Kelli’s first assignments with the Philadelphia Police Department was working at the New Year’s Day Parade, which was a huge transition from working a white-collar job to a blue-collar job in the cold weather. Throughout her time with the city, she spent several years on different assignments within the 18th, 16th and 19th Districts, all near Drexel’s footprint. Kelli recalled walking a foot beat along the 5200 block of Market Street, where she was well-received by community members and business owners. In 2000, Kelli was assigned to an area detail to try and combat drug sales and usage. During this assignment, they not only worked to combat these issues within the neighborhood but developed relationships with the children at Sulzberger Middle School. Kelli ended her career in 2022 as a training officer at the Forensic Science Center.
Kelli views her role here at Drexel as a community police officer, not just police officer. She loves interacting with students and everyone that makes up the Drexel community. Much like she did at the beginning of her career, Kelli’s favorite part of patrol is parking her vehicle, walking around and talking to store owners and passersby just making sure everything is okay and asking if they need anything.
A fun fact about Officer Lewis is that she likes to line dance. A message she would like to share with the community is: “The police are here for you; never hesitate to come up to us and talk or share anything. We are here to serve the Drexel community as well as the community itself.”
Community Commitments
Special Upcoming Cookies with Cops
- Nov. 26: Come out and get to know Drexel Police, grab a sweet morning treat and some cocoa as you begin prepping for Thanksgiving break and finals week! Public Safety will be on Lancaster Walk starting at 9 a.m. Plus, test your luck with some DPS trivia for a chance to win a Cinnabon gift card.
- National Cookie Day! Dec. 4: Join DPS for a special edition of Cookies With Cops on Lancaster Walk prior to the start of the women’s basketball game on Dec. 4. There will be cookies and hot cocoa at 5 p.m., with tip-off at 6 p.m. Plus, test your luck with some DPS trivia for a chance to win a Blaze Pizza gift card.
Learn How to Be SAFE With Public Safety’s 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.
Follow Drexel Public Safety on Instagram for safety tips, department events, plus our new feature: FAQ Friday. Get answers to frequently asked questions about the public safety department!
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