Warmer weather isn’t the only thing special about this month. Drexel is welcoming many students, faculty and professional staff back to campus, so whether you’re back for the first time in a while or could simply use a refresher, please read the below updates from Drexel Public Safety (DPS) and check out the top 10 list of safety reminders below. In addition, the second week of April is National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week (NPSTW), during which the dispatchers at Drexel are recognized for their hard work, diligence and dedication in serving the public. From April 11–17, let’s give special thanks to these unseen heroes, who are always ready to help the community.
Thank You, Telecommunicators!
What Does a Telecommunicator Do?
With 15 full-time and three part-time dispatchers, the Drexel University Public Safety Communications Center acts as the eyes and ears for all campus activity. It serves as the crucial link between the University community and all services provided by Public Safety, Drexel Police and the Philadelphia police and fire departments. This centralized Communications Center is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week by dispatchers who are certified by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. They are the ones who respond when you call 215.895.2222 or use your Drexel Guardian mobile app.
Employee Spotlight: Henry Dunbar
Henry Dunbar is one of Public Safety’s Dispatch supervisors. He has worked with DPS for a total of 15 years. Although he began working with Allied Universal, he has been part of the Communications Center team for 13 and a half years, eight of which as a supervisor.
Simply put, Henry’s favorite part about his work is helping the community. When asked what message he would like to share with the University community, he said, “Care about your neighbors. Look out for each other. Be safe.”
Fun facts about Henry:
- His favorite food is cheeseburgers.
- He enjoys going on cruises. His favorite destination so far is Puerto Rico.
Thank you, Henry, for all that you do for the community!
Share Your Appreciation on Social Media
From April 11–17, use the hashtags #NPSTW2021 and #DrexelPublicSafety to share a social media thank-you to our Drexel dispatchers. Let’s applaud our dispatchers here at Drexel, as well as those working across the country and make NPSTW 2021 a memorable one! Be sure to check out next month’s Public Safety & U; your social media thank-you may make an appearance!
Meet Drexel’s New ‘Health Ambassadors’
At the beginning of winter term, the University instituted a new public safety measure — the health ambassador program — to ensure that everyone on campus observes pandemic-era safety guidelines. You may have seen these ambassadors around campus, including Raymond Sarem, whom DrexelNow featured in a recent piece on the program. Read the feature on DrexelNow to learn more about how health ambassadors guide community members through the new campus normal.
Community Commitments
Your Safety Is Our Goal
Being aware of your surroundings and recognizing situations that are potentially dangerous are key to keeping yourself safe. Public Safety is now offering virtual, interactive presentations on situational preparedness that educate students, faculty and staff about measures they can take to prevent themselves from being victims of a crime. The sessions provide tips to encourage the University community not to be scared, but to be prepared. Hosted by Public Safety police officers and employees, the next session will be held on April 29 from 12 to 1 p.m. These monthly presentations are open to the entire Drexel community. To RSVP and receive the Zoom link, please contact Officer Cirone at tjc94@drexel.edu or Officer McClay at kam556@drexel.edu.
Drexel Receives HEARTSafe Campus Recognition
Drexel University has been recognized as a HEARTSafe Campus by the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation (NCEMSF). NCEMSF gives this award and recognition to university campuses that promote community awareness of the potential for saving the lives of sudden cardiac arrest victims through the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and increased public access to defibrillation. To read more about this distinction, visit the Public Safety website.
Welcome to Spring Term
As Dragons, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our classmates and coworkers, and the West Philadelphia community at large to help create and maintain a safe environment for all. Keeping in mind this list of the top 10 things you should know about campus safety, developed in partnership with Student Life, will bolster these collective efforts.
Whether we’ll see you on campus this term or you continue to learn or work remotely, take the time to familiarize yourself or refresh your knowledge on the services provided by the Department of Public Safety, and find more information on our website.
- See Something, Say Something: One of the most important things you can do is add 215.895.2222 (Drexel Public Safety) to your mobile phone contacts list. This number will connect you to the Drexel Public Safety Communications Center, staffed 24/7 with trained dispatchers who will answer and send help your way. Please report any suspicious activity or concerns immediately using this number (you may also call 911 during any emergency).
- Look Out for DrexelALERT Messages: DrexelALERT is an emergency notification system that provides timely dissemination of crime and safety alerts via text messaging and email. The DrexelALERT webpage explains how to update your contact information to ensure you are receiving these messages.
- Get the Drexel Guardian App: If you download Drexel Guardian onto your mobile phone, you can use a one-touch dialing feature to call for help or activate a GPS locator during an emergency. This will allow the Drexel Communications Center to immediately locate and assist you. 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.
- Access Buildings With Your DragonCard: Carry your DragonCard with you at all times while on campus, as it is the only way to access campus buildings.
- Use Drexel Shuttles and Walking Escorts: Drexel Real Estate and Facilities is running its Center City (Dragon Route), Powelton/Spring Garden and Queen Lane shuttles. You must present your official Drexel ID and wear a mask to board a shuttle. View the shuttle schedules and safety protocols on the Drexel Real Estate and Facilities website. If you’re traveling on foot, Public Safety offers walking escorts within our patrol boundaries in University City upon request, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request an escort, call 215.895.2222, use a blue-light emergency phone or ask any security or police officer on patrol.
- Guard Against Theft: Most crimes on campus are unattended thefts. Safeguard your valuables and use our free service to register your property (bikes, laptops, skateboards, cell phones, larger headphones) by bringing them to Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch St., where item details will be logged into a registration system. Regarding Vehicle Thefts: Please lock your vehicles, remove your keys from the vehicle and never leave your car running, even if you are just going into a store for a quick errand. Park in well-lit areas and do not leave any items, including small change, in view inside of your vehicle. For more safety tips and information about vehicle thefts, please review this article from the Triangle.
- Keep Your Information Secure: As so many of our daily activities continue to take place mostly online, be sure to follow data security’s best practices to safeguard yourself and your private information from scams, viruses and other cyber threats. Drexel IT has a wealth of information and resources on these topics.
- Be a Good Neighbor: Off-campus students play an important role in the development of a positive relationship between the University and the community, and there are many ways for you to be a good neighbor. Introduce yourself to your neighbors — get to know and be respectful of their lifestyles, which may differ from yours. Maintain your property’s appearance, follow the rules for proper trash disposal, and participate in neighborhood cleanups when you can. Be mindful of things like shared walls and the availability of on-street parking. It’s the little things we do to show kindness and courtesy to others that go a long way toward building safe and healthy communities.
- Take Four Steps Together to Prevent COVID-19: This video produced by Enrollment Management and Student Success covers all you need to know about how we, as Dragons, can protect ourselves, each other, and our neighbors from the novel coronavirus. The four steps we must take together are: wear a mask; wash hands frequently; maintain social distance from people outside your household; and monitor your health using the Drexel Checker Tracker app. If you feel sick, Drexel is here to support you. Stay home and contact the Student Health Center right away at 215.220.4700, covid19health@drexel.edu, or through the Health Tracker app. All this information and more is always available on Drexel’s Response to Coronavirus website.
- Take Care of Yourself: Finally, but most importantly, take time to care for yourself. The beginning of a new term always brings new challenges and stress, but even more so now. Talk to friends, colleagues and family members, or contact Drexel’s Counseling Center at counseling@drexel.edu or by calling 215.895.1415. During off-hours or emergencies, call the on-call counselor at 215.416.3337. Please know that Drexel’s Responsible Dragon Amnesty Policy ensures that students can seek medical attention or assistance any time without fear of disciplinary action. No matter the issue, we are here to ensure you get the help you need.
We’re here for you when you need us.
Drexel Public Safety urges you to call 215.895.2222 immediately if you are the victim of or witness to a crime. Our 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.
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.