Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes not only flowers in bloom, but also new seasonal safety considerations, including the potential for flooding from those April showers. As always, Drexel Public Safety has you covered with tips for braving the elements, from fires and extreme weather to the increase in roadwork and traffic that comes with warmer temps. Also: Shout-out to Drexel’s fantastic public safety telecommunicators!
Campus Safety Reminders for New and Returning Dragons
Whether you’re a transfer student, a student returning from fall/winter co-op, or a new faculty or staff member, Drexel Public Safety encourages you to check out essential safety tips and reminders from the August 2024 Public Safety & U. Review safety resources like the Drexel Guardian app, DrexelALERT, DPS’s property registration program and so much more. And remember to save 215.895.2222 in your phone as “Drexel Public Safety”!
Safety Round-Up: Fire Tips, Weather Disaster Prep and Lithium-ion Battery Recall
Infographic to Share: Workplace/Classroom Fire Safety
Drexel Public Safety encourages you to review and share this helpful PDF infographic on workplace safety from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which could also apply to classrooms and other campus spaces. Share this resource with your resident adviser, supervisor or office manager, and heed the following tips:
- Eliminate fire hazards:
- Check for damaged or overloaded electrical outlets, cords and cables
- Keep anything flammable away from electrical equipment
- Never leave portable heating devices unattended
- Prepare for possible emergencies:
- Make sure smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are properly installed and functioning
- Post clear fire escape plans on every level of a building
- Teach students, colleagues and employees about exit locations, escape routes and fire protection equipment
- If there is a fire:
- Call 911
- Notify other students or co-workers of the fire
- Never use the elevator; walk, don’t run, down the stairs
- If you can’t evacuate, remain calm; seal door gaps with bulky clothing and wait at the window
Be Prepared for a Weather Disaster
As temperatures start to warm up and risk of precipitation increases, Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management offers six simple steps towards being prepared for a weather emergency this spring season:
- Stay informed: Know how you’ll receive emergency information.
- Ensure you’re insured: FEMA and other agencies offer flood insurance policies.
- Educate yourself about flooding: Understand the flood risks near where you reside.
- Protect important financial documents and conduct a household inventory: Keep originals in a safe deposit box or a safe, dry place.
- Build an emergency supply kit: Bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are.
- Plan for evacuation: Plan and practice a flood evacuation route.
Public Safety’s Fire & Emergency Services team offers valuable information on personal preparedness, from evacuations to fires and lockdowns. Ready.gov also provides steps and resources and how you can make your plan today for disaster preparedness. Knowing how to react during an emergency can save your life.
Lithium-ion Battery Bank Recall
VC Group is recalling wireless portable power banks with lithium-Ion batteries due to fire and burn hazards. If you use these handy portable battery packs, check to see if yours is being recalled.
Recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Every year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community are honored during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (observed this year from April 13–19). Since 1981, this week-long event has been a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public as dispatchers.
The Drexel Public Safety Communications Center is truly like a mixtape, a variety of songs to match different people and moments of the day. Just as a mixtape offers a range of tunes to suit different moods and situations, dispatchers handle a wide array of calls and scenarios, each requiring a unique approach and response. Whether it's a high-stress emergency or a routine inquiry, they adapt seamlessly, ensuring every “track” plays just right.
The work of dispatchers often goes unnoticed, but it’s invaluable. They are the unsung heroes and the steady hands guiding those in need. Their dedication and resilience make a significant difference in countless lives, and we thank our Drexel dispatchers for their commitment and hard work.
And to our newest dispatchers, pictured here: Your ability to learn and grow every day will not only enhance your skills but also ensure you provide the best possible service to those in need. Keep pushing forward and know that your efforts are deeply valued.
From April 13–19 (or really any time!) please join us in showering our Drexel Public Safety telecommunicators with appreciation.
Traffic Advisory: Market Street Bridges Project
PennDOT has begun early construction activities on the $148.9 million project to rehabilitate the bridges that carry Market Street over Amtrak and Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway), the Schuylkill River Trail, and CSX Railroad in Center City Philadelphia. Periodic weekday lane closures are expected along Market Street during early construction activities, causing extra traffic and delays in the area, including on the Drexel bus service’s Dragon Route (Center City Loop).
If there are significant delays along the Dragon Route, the shuttles will detour to Walnut Street upon returning to University City. To track Drexel shuttles and receive notifications in real time, download the TripShot app (iOS | Android), enter “Drexel” as the Service Name, and then log in with your Drexel user ID and password.
Drexel Public Safety advises students, faculty, professional staff and visitors to expect delays and detours when traveling by vehicle through the areas affected by the project. Please plan an alternate route and build extra time for your commute, use public transportation whenever possible, and exercise caution when traveling by vehicle or by foot through and around construction zones.
For complete and up-to-date information on the PennDOT Market Street Bridges Project, including all planned closures and detours, visit PennDOT’s Market Street Bridges Rehabilitation and Improvement Project website.
Thank You to Our Co-op, Liam!
Liam Markert, computing and security technology major and class of 2027, spent the fall/winter term working for Public Safety as a co-op student. Markert had the opportunity to work hands-on with all units, enhancing our social media efforts, participating in community events and working with our investigators to inventory lost property. When asked, Markert said his co-op experience was very positive and appreciated the relationships he built with his supervisors and police officers. Thanks for all your hard work, and best of luck with all future endeavors!
Get To Know Us: Officers David Monahan and Kiser Terry
Officer Monahan (left) has been with the Drexel University Police Department for almost two years and is responsible for maintaining the safety of Drexel’s campus and upholding the laws of our commonwealth. He says his favorite part of being a Drexel police officer is the freedom of the job and meeting new people every day. In his spare time, he loves camping and fishing with his family and is a huge Harry Potter fan! Officer Monahan’s message to the university community is to never be afraid of approaching the police. There doesn’t always have to be a problem to have a conversation with Drexel Public Safety.
Officer Terry (right) has worked at Drexel since 2021. Although his main role at Drexel is to ensure public safety, he prides himself on his community policing efforts. His love for community began in high school, where he helped organize flag football games for children with disabilities and, while a student at Temple University, volunteered at local soup kitchens at churches in the North Philadelphia area. He says his favorite part about his job is interacting with the public and showing others that police officers are regular people who can bond over the smallest topics, like sports, food, or the passion to serve others through community engagement. His favorite vacation spot is “Jeju,” a small island of the coast of South Korea. Officer Terry’s message to Drexel students is: “Although you’re here for education and Drexel can be very demanding as far as the curriculum, don’t forget to immerse yourself within the Philadelphia community and get involved in volunteering and especially networking. I believe one of the greatest things you can do while you’re in college is networking. You will meet some of your best friends, your future partner, wife, husband, your best man or lady for your future wedding, and these are some of the few people you meet while you’re in college. As always, have fun and be safe.”
Community Commitments
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.
Faculty and staff: You can take a SAFE course, or the ‘Locking in a Safe Mindset’ virtual course, for $15 toward the Wellness Incentive Program!
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