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Letter to the editor: Inaccurate Editorial About Drexel Public Safety
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Ed-Op
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Dear Editor,
Your editorial, "Dysfunctional Drexel Public Safety," (Sept. 20, 2007), implies that Drexel's campus is unsafe and our crime statistics are not accurate and do not encompass off-campus areas. This is false!
The administration at Drexel University takes campus safety very seriously. Safety in University City has improved dramatically over the last decade and at Drexel specifically under the leadership of our president who has committed significant resources to improve campus safety. Most of the crime being reported in the news is in areas no where near Drexel's campus, however, being in west Philadelphia still has a stigma attached to it that truly isn't warranted. The same can be said about center city Philadelphia, as you know, is thriving with entertainment at all hours of the day and night.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has undergone several administrative and personnel changes over the years to improve the public safety operations. In March 2006, Drexel hired director of public safety Fred Carbonara who is a retired lieutenant with the Philadelphia Police force with 32 years of service. He also served as the commanding officer for the University City District for 6 ½ years, which involved managing 25 police officers and two sergeants.
All DPS management staff, supervisors, dispatchers, and lead officers have been trained and are certified in non-lethal force. This training includes verbal commands, mechanics of arrest, use of handcuffs, ASP (a tactical baton), as well as use of pepper spray.
DPS also contracts for two Philadelphia Police Officers to patrol the campus and its bordering areas from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. seven days a week. These officers drive Philadelphia Police vehicles and are in direct communication with our dispatchers to respond to any incident that may occur.
DPS continuously replaces its security officers (105) contracted through Allied Barton with more professionally trained officers. Allied Barton conducts training for these officers along with an orientation-training program conducted by DPS. Allied Barton is recognized as one of the best private security companies in the country. In addition to Drexel, Allied Barton is contracted by the University of Pennsylvania, University City District, and the Science Center to name a few.
Your editorial, "Dysfunctional Drexel Public Safety," (Sept. 20, 2007), implies that Drexel's campus is unsafe and our crime statistics are not accurate and do not encompass off-campus areas. This is false!
The administration at Drexel University takes campus safety very seriously. Safety in University City has improved dramatically over the last decade and at Drexel specifically under the leadership of our president who has committed significant resources to improve campus safety. Most of the crime being reported in the news is in areas no where near Drexel's campus, however, being in west Philadelphia still has a stigma attached to it that truly isn't warranted. The same can be said about center city Philadelphia, as you know, is thriving with entertainment at all hours of the day and night.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has undergone several administrative and personnel changes over the years to improve the public safety operations. In March 2006, Drexel hired director of public safety Fred Carbonara who is a retired lieutenant with the Philadelphia Police force with 32 years of service. He also served as the commanding officer for the University City District for 6 ½ years, which involved managing 25 police officers and two sergeants.
All DPS management staff, supervisors, dispatchers, and lead officers have been trained and are certified in non-lethal force. This training includes verbal commands, mechanics of arrest, use of handcuffs, ASP (a tactical baton), as well as use of pepper spray.
DPS also contracts for two Philadelphia Police Officers to patrol the campus and its bordering areas from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. seven days a week. These officers drive Philadelphia Police vehicles and are in direct communication with our dispatchers to respond to any incident that may occur.
DPS continuously replaces its security officers (105) contracted through Allied Barton with more professionally trained officers. Allied Barton conducts training for these officers along with an orientation-training program conducted by DPS. Allied Barton is recognized as one of the best private security companies in the country. In addition to Drexel, Allied Barton is contracted by the University of Pennsylvania, University City District, and the Science Center to name a few.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Z
posted 10/02/07 @ 12:39 PM EST
Actually Drexel Public services is quite broken. When something happens, they are always quick to send students away and to send them to other outlets of the university rather than solve the problem, even when it is their department's job to actually solve things. (Continued…)
Jordan
posted 10/05/07 @ 1:01 AM EST
Do you have any basis for all of these claims, or are you just expressing one of the many misconceptions about the university?
Not Z
posted 10/05/07 @ 3:24 PM EST
Uh, Z ... You're quick to make blanket statements. How about posting some EXAMPLES. Also, if you know so much about Public Safety, have you tried telling someone in the UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION about it?
Robert
posted 10/06/07 @ 12:24 PM EST
If you have had specific interactions with Public Safety where you felt they weren't fulfilling their responsibilities you should contact both the USGA and Drexel Administration and let them know the facts and specifics of the situation. (Continued…)
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