Penn crime uptick may have shifted north

The group of young robbers that recently targeted Penn's campus has shifted a few blocks north, police authorities say.

Two robberies occurred Monday night near Drexel University, and police believe that these are related to crimes that took place on Penn's campus last week.

Penn Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that she is not comfortable with the proximity of the robberies to campus.

"What they're doing up there today they could do anywhere tomorrow," Rush said.

To ensure that the robbers do not return to Penn, Penn Police are partnering with their Philadelphia counterparts, Patrol Capt. Joseph Fischer said.

"We're working with the 16th and 18th districts, the University City District and the Southwest Task Force," he said, "to communicate and share intelligence."

Fischer also said that Penn Police are assisting in efforts to catch the robbers near Drexel, even though the two most recent crimes occurred north of Market Street, outside UPPD jurisdiction.

Safety programs

While police work to keep the Penn community safe, data have shown that students are taking similar initiatives.

Whether it is a result of increased student fear or improved awareness, the use of 898-WALK escorts has increased dramatically.

Since the beginning of Nov. the service has deployed its escorts 1,251 times, an increase of 221 percent from the same month in 2004.

Additionally, students have used 898-WALK 505 more times in November than in October of this year, an increase of 68 percent.

As the semester comes to an end, Rush hopes that the trend will continue.

A new variation on the program is also available.

Through the UC Walk PLUS initiative, students can e-mail the Division of Public Safety at least 24 hours in advance of an event, party or meeting to arrange for walking escorts for guests.

To use the service, students should e-mail ucwalk@publicsafety.upenn.edu with a name, phone number, event location and the event's ending time.

"It is geared toward safety and toward customer service and accessibility," Rush said.

In addition, the Division is placing extra security guards in strategic locations such as outside Van Pelt Library to offer to walk students home, even if they have not called for a walking escort.

Penn Transit began running a shuttle loop through campus Monday evening aimed at increasing the usage of shuttle services as well.

Rush said of the increased safety program offerings, "We are in this for the long haul to bring the community back to the perceived and actual safety that it enjoyed in recent years."

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