Spring Break
U. Crossings changes security guards
Chirag Desai
Issue date: 3/11/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
In an attempt to correct security problems at University Crossings, Philadelphia Management has contracted The Petruzzi Detective Agency Inc., to "improve and tighten the current security situation at the building," according to a letter released to all residents Feb. 28.
As the nearest residential building to Drexel campus and one of the tallest buildings within campus limits, University Crossings is home to many Drexel students. Security has been an issue at Crossings since they opened for student housing in September 2002. "[Security] is not very effective here," sophomore Seher Ahmad, majoring in electrical engineering, said.
In addition to the letter, residents were also provided with a three-page code of conduct to be followed at all times. All residents are provided with a key card to be scanned both at the front door and on entry past the front desk, while all guests are to be signed in after showing their IDs. However, most people do not scan their cards and signing in is very random. "Even though the cards are supposed to be scanned, they really aren't." Ahmad said. She hopes that the new security company will enforce the security policies and code. "It's a good idea [to get a new security company]. The problem is not that the rules aren't there. They just aren't really being enforced [by the current Security contractor]."
The new measures seem a bit drastic to students. "[They] are a little bit excessive," Ryan Loomis, a sophomore in materials science and engineering, said. "They're acting like it's going to be a dorm room again." One of the major changes in the new security policy is that guests will have to turn in their ID at the front desk for the duration of their stay in the building. "It's reasonable for them to sign in and show their IDs, but not for them to leave it," Loomis added. "It's tough to say if I'm hopeful [that the new measures will be effective]," junior in information systems Chris Duffy said. "I pay a lot of money to live here and I don't think the management has done a good job so far. I think they need more than just a new agency."
According to their mission statement, the Petruzzi Detective Agency, Inc., head-quartered at 1800 Jackson Street in Philadelphia, is "licensed to conduct armed, unarmed uniformed, and undercover operations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They are a consulting and service organization that provide "professional safety and security operations" for clients.
As the nearest residential building to Drexel campus and one of the tallest buildings within campus limits, University Crossings is home to many Drexel students. Security has been an issue at Crossings since they opened for student housing in September 2002. "[Security] is not very effective here," sophomore Seher Ahmad, majoring in electrical engineering, said.
In addition to the letter, residents were also provided with a three-page code of conduct to be followed at all times. All residents are provided with a key card to be scanned both at the front door and on entry past the front desk, while all guests are to be signed in after showing their IDs. However, most people do not scan their cards and signing in is very random. "Even though the cards are supposed to be scanned, they really aren't." Ahmad said. She hopes that the new security company will enforce the security policies and code. "It's a good idea [to get a new security company]. The problem is not that the rules aren't there. They just aren't really being enforced [by the current Security contractor]."
The new measures seem a bit drastic to students. "[They] are a little bit excessive," Ryan Loomis, a sophomore in materials science and engineering, said. "They're acting like it's going to be a dorm room again." One of the major changes in the new security policy is that guests will have to turn in their ID at the front desk for the duration of their stay in the building. "It's reasonable for them to sign in and show their IDs, but not for them to leave it," Loomis added. "It's tough to say if I'm hopeful [that the new measures will be effective]," junior in information systems Chris Duffy said. "I pay a lot of money to live here and I don't think the management has done a good job so far. I think they need more than just a new agency."
According to their mission statement, the Petruzzi Detective Agency, Inc., head-quartered at 1800 Jackson Street in Philadelphia, is "licensed to conduct armed, unarmed uniformed, and undercover operations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They are a consulting and service organization that provide "professional safety and security operations" for clients.
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