Spring Into Fun, Safely

Join an upcoming SAFE class and meet some of our new instructors: (L-R) Officer Trent Tolbert, Sgt. Logan Wells, Dispatcher Bianca Landers, Officer Kiser Terry, Officer Aaron Shaw and Lead Dispatch Supervisor Stephanie Jones.

As we head into an eventful period of spring holidays and a week-long break from classes — plus later sunsets — Drexel Public Safety (DPS) wants to ensure every Dragon stays informed, prepared and safe while having fun. Whether you are planning a staycation or heading out of town for spring break, here is your safety roadmap for March.

Responsibly Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break

St. Patrick’s Day — Tuesday, March 17 — arrives just before Drexel’s spring break this year (March 22–29). Students planning to celebrate are encouraged to keep safety and neighborly respect as top priorities to ensure everyone has a good time. Whether you are on or off campus, follow these tips to protect yourself and the integrity of the Drexel community:

• The buddy system and awareness: Always stick together when attending parties, visiting clubs, or using public transit at night. Walk in well-lit areas, avoid quiet alleys and stay alert by minimizing distractions from smartphones or headsets, especially when crossing the street.
• Drinking and transportation: Underage drinking is not permitted on campus, nor supported by Drexel Public Safety. If you are going to consume alcohol, DPS and the Office of Student Conduct & Care recommend doing so responsibly and arranging for safe transportation in advance. Drinking in moderation and being mindful of one's limits, pacing and planning are all crucial for ensuring social gatherings remain safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. DPS encourages all students to become familiar with the Responsible Dragon Amnesty Policy, which provides amnesty from disciplinary action for students or student organizations who seek medical assistance during an alcohol- or drug-related emergency.
• Personal security: Protect your property by keeping belongings close to your body, and avoid displaying valuables like smartphones or cash in public. Have your keys out and ready before reaching your door, and if your belongings are ever taken, don’t fight; give them up immediately and contact the Drexel University Policy Department at 215.895.2222 or dial 911.

Travel Safety During Spring Break

When traveling for spring break, a little planning goes a long way to ensure a relaxing break and smooth return.

• Secure your space: Before leaving, lock all doors and windows. Don't leave valuables visible from the outside.
• Share your itinerary: Let a friend or family member know your travel plans and when you expect to return.
• Stay alert: Monitor weather and transit alerts, and keep your passport or visa requirements updated if traveling internationally.

Follow these safety tips when using ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, exercising your best judgment and caution.

• Request your ride inside: Stay inside when placing the request, and when possible, request/ride with a friend.
• Share your trip: Screenshot ride details or use the “Share Trip Status” feature provided by the ride-hailing service and send to a friend (once your ride is over, you cannot get those details back).
• Check your ride: Confirm license plate and vehicle when it arrives. Ask driver for your name, then confirm theirs.
• Ensure you can exit: Check that child locks are off before entering.
• Be aware: Monitor the route while in the vehicle; if not correct, question the driver.
• Follow your intuition: Trust your instincts and use your best judgement when using a ride-hailing service. If you sense an urgent situation, call 911 immediately. Most services allow the user to call 911 directly through the app, so real-time location and trip details can be shared with the dispatcher.
• Destination: Once you have arrived, make sure you have all your personal belongings, then proceed to your destination. If you shared your ride details, let the recipient know you have arrived.

Find more safety tips on the Public Safety website.

In addition to setting clocks forward an hour, test your smoke alarms and change replaceable batteries.

Time to Refresh Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

With the clocks moving forward on March 8, it’s a perfect cue to test and replace smoke alarm batteries in your off-campus housing.

In Drexel residence halls, fire safety systems are maintained by the University, but personal detectors in apartments are the student’s responsibility.

If you are renting, contact your landlords for new batteries to be installed. This advice applies to faculty and professional staff, too!

• Test alarms and replace batteries.
• Ensure alarms are unobstructed and functional.
• Review fire escape routes with other household members (roommates, family, etc.).

Survey: How May We Serve You?

DPS invites you to take a quick survey to help us better understand how we are serving the Drexel University community. Your voice matters. This survey is an opportunity to share your experiences, recognize what is working well, and identify areas where we can grow and improve together. Your feedback will help us strengthen our partnership with the campus community and enhance the quality of service we provide.

All responses will remain confidential. We encourage you to be open and honest, as your insight plays an important role in helping us build a safer, more responsive, and community-centered Department of Public Safety.

Don't Forget Your DragonCard

Keeping your DragonCard secure and with you at all times is essential for ensuring you have access to Drexel’s buildings and services, and that our campus remains a safe and secure environment year-round.

A valid DragonCard is needed to access:

• Campus buildings: Most buildings, including all residence halls, are accessible to DragonCard holders only. Avoid holding doors open for others, even if they claim to have lost their ID. The risks of allowing unauthorized access far outweigh the courtesy of letting someone through, potentially compromising the safety of Drexel buildings or residences. If you notice anyone suspicious attempting to gain access without proper authorization, contact Drexel Public Safety immediately at 215.895.2222.

• Drexel shuttles: Upon boarding Drexel’s shuttle bus service, you must present your valid DragonCard and tap it on the blue card reader at the front of the bus, or you will be denied entry.

Never lend or share your card with anyone else. If you've lost or forgotten your DragonCard, follow the steps outlined on the DragonCard website; a lost card should be reported immediately.

Drexel Police Accreditation and Training Manager Amy Lutz.

Get to Know Us: Amy Lutz

Amy Lutz joined Drexel Public Safety in June 2025 as the police accreditation & training manager. In this role, she oversees the department's accreditation processes — the professional benchmarks that promote accountability, best practices, and operational excellence. She also coordinates training programs, updates policies and directives, and works closely with command staff to support continuous improvement across the department. Put simply, she helps make sure the Drexel University Police Department meets the highest professional standards every day.

“My favorite part of my job is coming to work every day and being genuinely challenged. I love contributing to Chief Singleton's vision for DUPD and playing a role in the department's growth,” said Amy. “What makes it especially rewarding is the community engagement side of the mission, building real relationships and trust between public safety and the people we serve. This position has been everything I hoped it would be, and the DPS team has made every day feel both purposeful and enjoyable.”

Amy raises chickens in her downtime, is an avid reader and enjoys getting lost in a good book on her commute.

“I'm thrilled to be part of what makes Drexel special,” said Amy. She had this message for the Drexel community: “I'd encourage everyone to follow Drexel Public Safety on social media to stay in the loop, and to get involved in the events we host throughout the year. I was welcomed so warmly when I arrived, and I'd love to extend that same energy to anyone I meet on campus. Don't hesitate to say hello — DPS is always here for you.”

Sign Up for a SAFE Class Today!

Self Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) aims to give the Drexel community the practical skills, resources, and mindset to increase personal safety. These three-hour, hands-on classes are open to any student, faculty or staff member and are offered on specific Tuesdays and Saturdays each month. 

• What to expect: Classes begin with an overview of safety mindsets and reporting processes. Instructors guide you through stances, patterns of movement, striking techniques (like palm strikes), and defenses against grabs or chokes.
• How to join: You can find the schedule on the DPS Events Calendar or in this newsletter. Email dpssafe@drexel.eduto register for an upcoming class. You can also request a class  if you have a larger group that you would like to schedule outside of these monthly class dates.  
• Schedule: There is still room in our upcoming classes on April 14 (5–8 p.m.) and April 18 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. )
• Bring a buddy: Due to the hands-on nature of the training, we strongly recommend registering with a fellow Dragon. Participation in physical techniques is recommended but not required.

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: 445.221.5436

Walking Escorts

215.895.2222