Spring Break
Drexel issues public safety alert
By: Noah Cohen
Issue date: 7/13/07 Section: News
Originally published: 7/17/07 at 11:51 PM EST
Last update: 7/17/07 at 11:50 PM EST
Originally published: 7/17/07 at 11:51 PM EST
Last update: 7/17/07 at 11:50 PM EST
Drexel Public Safety issued a University wide alert Tuesday after two students were assaulted at off-campus locations near the area of Hamilton and Spring Garden Streets west of 34th Street.
The assaults, which are attributed to juveniles allegedly ranging from ages nine to 16, are linked to a number of incidents around Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania's campus.
In an e-mail sent shortly after 5 p.m., Drexel officials described two attacks.
The first was "in the area of Hamilton and Spring Garden, west of 34th Street" occurring July 10 at approximately 1:05 p.m. according to the alert.
In that attack three black males, described between 15 to 16-years-old confronted a student and one male swung at the student.
The report says the student "fended him off," before the males fled towards 34th and Hamilton Street.
The second attack described by the Drexel alert, occurred on the 3500 block of Spring Garden Street, according to the e-mail.
"Two to three young males" assaulted a Drexel student. One suspect was wearing a "scream mask", according to the e-mail.
The Philadelphia Police and Drexel Public Safety are investigating and anyone with information is urged to contact officials.
"Students, faculty and staff are reminded to employ our walking escort program," the safety alert said.
The Drexel alert comes days after officials at the University of Pennsylvania released a similar alert, describing juveniles attacking victims around the UPenn campus.
The UPenn alert mentions an incident in the "area of 33rd and Chestnut" as well as the 3500 Spring Garden incident.
"There has been an increase in groups (3-8 members) of young male juveniles, ranging from 9 - 13 years of age, who are walking through the University City area, and are harassing, assaulting and/or robbing both male and female residents and/or UPenn students and staff." the alert from UPenn Public Safety said.
James Katsaounis, executive director of communications at Drexel, said that the report was issued as required by Federal Clery Act Laws. Katsaounis also said one Drexel student suffered minor injuries and was taken to Presbyterian Hospital and released.
The assaults, which are attributed to juveniles allegedly ranging from ages nine to 16, are linked to a number of incidents around Drexel and the University of Pennsylvania's campus.
In an e-mail sent shortly after 5 p.m., Drexel officials described two attacks.
The first was "in the area of Hamilton and Spring Garden, west of 34th Street" occurring July 10 at approximately 1:05 p.m. according to the alert.
In that attack three black males, described between 15 to 16-years-old confronted a student and one male swung at the student.
The report says the student "fended him off," before the males fled towards 34th and Hamilton Street.
The second attack described by the Drexel alert, occurred on the 3500 block of Spring Garden Street, according to the e-mail.
"Two to three young males" assaulted a Drexel student. One suspect was wearing a "scream mask", according to the e-mail.
The Philadelphia Police and Drexel Public Safety are investigating and anyone with information is urged to contact officials.
"Students, faculty and staff are reminded to employ our walking escort program," the safety alert said.
The Drexel alert comes days after officials at the University of Pennsylvania released a similar alert, describing juveniles attacking victims around the UPenn campus.
The UPenn alert mentions an incident in the "area of 33rd and Chestnut" as well as the 3500 Spring Garden incident.
"There has been an increase in groups (3-8 members) of young male juveniles, ranging from 9 - 13 years of age, who are walking through the University City area, and are harassing, assaulting and/or robbing both male and female residents and/or UPenn students and staff." the alert from UPenn Public Safety said.
James Katsaounis, executive director of communications at Drexel, said that the report was issued as required by Federal Clery Act Laws. Katsaounis also said one Drexel student suffered minor injuries and was taken to Presbyterian Hospital and released.
VariableFeedback
posted 7/20/07 @ 9:56 AM EST
To all students, male or female, who feel unsafe, there are a few simple steps that you can take to protect yourself from these assaults. Get some money, purchase a handgun, take a training class, and acquire a license to carry a firearm. (Continued…)