Monday, May 16, 2011

Congratulations to Another Successful Year!

On behalf of the women and men of the Division of Public Safety, I would like to congratulate all the members of the Penn community on another successful academic year! I would also like to extend our congratulations to all graduating seniors on four years of hard work and dedication. We are sure that you are moving on to bright futures as you leave University City, but you will be missed.

Don’t forget to follow these important safety reminders. Whether you are moving out or staying on campus for the summer, make sure not to leave personal items unattended at any time. Always remember to lock your doors even if you are stepping out for a short period of time.

If you are leaving campus for the summer, don’t forget to take all your personal items with you or ensure that they are properly secured. Public Safety’s University Wide Bicycle Removal Program will start Saturday, May 21st, please ensure you remove your bicycles from the University racks prior to this date.

If you are trying to decide to do with items you no longer want but are in still in good shape, please consider donating them to Business Services PennMOVES initiative. They are accepting used items such as clothes, electronics, linens, furniture, etc, and donating them to West Philadelphians in need. To learn more about how to donate visit the PennMOVES website at http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/pennmoves/.

Remember that safety and security is a shared responsibility, even beyond Penn’s campus. Be smart and safe, and as you move on to your summer plans, whether here or anywhere around the globe, don’t forget everything you’ve learned from the Division Public Safety.

Have a great summer! “

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Philly Police Announce Re-Instatement of Mounted Patrol

On Thursday, November 4, 2010 Penn’s veterinary school hosted a historic event for the City of Philadelphia. Mayor Michael Nutter and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey announced at a press conference the startup of the Philadelphia Police Mounted Patrol. With the Support of the Philadelphia Police Foundation (www.phillypolicefoundation.org) the Police Department expects to have the Mounted Patrol on the streets of Philadelphia by the summer of 2011.

Why Mounted Patrol? When I was a rookie officer in the Philadelphia Police Department assigned to the 25th district in North Philadelphia I was involved in a major civil disturbance. People were throwing bottles and bricks at the police. Suddenly, about 20 Mounted Patrol units galloped down the street like the Calvary. Within minutes the crowd was successfully dispersed with minimal arrests or injuries. I never forgot that night and never stopped thinking about the effectiveness of the mounted patrol style of policing. I have many more pleasant memories of the mounted patrol.

For years the Mounted Patrol worked alongside the Penn Police Department at the Penn Relays. From a Community Policing strategy point of view….there is no better style of policing. As Lieutenant Dan McCann, the Commanding Officer of the new Mounted Patrol Unit, stated at the press conference “no one ever came up to me and asked to pet my police car.” So true.

How can you help? You can help by donating via the Philadelphia Police Foundation website. For more information on the Mounted Patrol, including the history of the unit visit CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS!

Below is also a collection of articles written about this exciting announcement:

KYW

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2010/11/04/philly-police-trying-to-revive-mounted-unit/

Channel 6 abc

[ Video ] http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7764726

Fox 29 news

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/local_news/philly-cops-want-horse-patrol-back

Inquierer

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20101105_Phila__soliciting_money_to_restore_mounted_police.html

PennCurrent

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/latestnews/110410-6.html

Lebanon Daily News

http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_16521836



Philadelphia Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/in-pictures-in-philadelphia/mounted-patrol-returns-to-philadelphia-police


Daily News

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20101104_Yea_to_neigh__Fund_drive_begins_to_restore_Philadelphia_s_police-horse_unit.html

The Times Leader

http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=5720676


CBS 21

http://www.whptv.com/news/state/story/Philly-police-set-to-try-to-revive-mounted-unit/UJ4DazVSL0qANcZUJ1QKkw.cspx


Phillyburbs.com

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/206/2010/november/04/philly-police-set-to-try-to-revive-mounted-unit.html


DelawareOnline.com

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20101104/NEWS/101104011/Philly+police+set+to+try+to+revive+mounted+unit+

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

25 Teams Compete to Pull a Boeing 737 at the 2nd Annual Southwest Airlines Plane Pull

Over 550 people gathered at Atlantic Aviation early in the morning on May 2 to see which team could pull the official Ronald McDonald House Charities Spirit of Hope plane the fastest.

This exciting annual event is a partnership between the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, and Southwest Airlines. Together, the 25 teams raised over $60,000 for both Ronald McDonald Houses.

The 20 member Penn Police Team, captained by Sergeant Nicole McCoy and broadly represented by friends from Penn, University of the Sciences of Philadelphia, Allied Barton and family/friends raised $3,737 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. A special thanks to all who donated to this great cause. Captioned in several of our photos is 7 year old Robyn Higgins from London. Robyn was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer. This cancer is rare and aggressive and usually (but not always) effects children under the age of 10.

Robyn and her mom Lisa have spend the last 5 months at the Ronald McDonald House in University City while Robyn undergoes extensive treatment for her cancer. To learn more about Robyn go to http://robynhiggins.com/ To learn more about the amazing Ronald McDonald House go to www.philarmh.org. This organization literally feeds the bodies and souls of children and their families.

Robyn we’re all PULLING for you. You and your family are in our prayers.











Thursday, April 22, 2010

Penn and PAL Working Together


I've talked about PAL in my blog many times, It’s a wonderful organization that provides a great service to the children of Philadelphia and Penn is proud to support their mission. But this support does not just come from DPS, its shared across the University.


The kids from PAL had two wonderful opportunities since March to experience Penn’s storied athletic past. With the generous support from Vice President for Business Services, Marie Witt, the PAL kids had the opportunity to ice skate at the Class of 1923 Ice Rink on March 19th and also to hold the PAL Citywide Basketball Tournament at the historic Palestra, the Cathedral of College Basketball on April 12th and 13th.


I want to also give a special thanks to Steve Bilsky, Penn Athletic Director, for opening up the Palestra to PAL and also to Men’s Varsity Basketball Coach, Jerome Allen. Jerome, a former PAL kid and Penn Alum (W’09) along with some of the players from the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams hung out with the boys and girls both days to give pointers and encouragement.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

MERT Gets a New Home & Makes 1000th Response

Congratulations to the Penn Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) on their 1000th response to the Penn Community! On April 9th, 2010 I joined Joe Tierney, the Executive Director of the Fox Leadership Program, and Dr. Evelyn Wiener, Director of Student Health Services to celebrate this occasion with the MERT leaders. Joe, Evelyn, and I were given the honor of cutting the ribbon cutting for their new headquarters in Butcher Hall in the Quad. It’s a beautiful space and a large improvement over their previous home.

The MERT organization has grown into a phenomenal organization that provides a great service to the Penn community. I am very proud to have MERT as a partner of our public safety team!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

DPS 2009 Annual Report Available

2009 was an exciting year for the men and women of the Division of Public Safety. Through their many accomplishments Penn’s quality of life flourished. Our overall crime rate in the Penn Patrol Zone dropped 14% and we expanded our UPennAlert Emergency Notification System with the installation of the Penn Siren Outdoor System (Penn SOS) in September.

For the third consecutive year Security Magazine’s annual “Security 500” report rated Penn’s Public Safety program number one (1) within the higher education market. The magazine based this rating on our comprehensive and integrated approach to community policing, security technology, and emergency preparedness programs. We are honored, and committed to ensuring that we continue to meet the high standards of this recognition.

It is my pleasure to share highlights of the year with you through this report. We have come to embrace two expressions in Public Safety – “it’s all about relationships” and “safety and security is a shared responsibility.” We work closely with faculty, staff and students across the University, Penn Medicine and University City. This collaborative effort forges relationships and strong partnerships developing programs that enhance everyone’s personal safety. Each chapter of this report features a quote from various members of the Penn community who share and contribute to our common mission.

On behalf of the women and men of the Division of Public Safety and our security partners AlliedBarton Security Services and ADT Integrated Services, I thank you for your support over this past year.”

View the 2009 Annual Report

Friday, April 2, 2010

Penn Police Successfully Reaccredited & Designated Flagship Agency by CALEA


The University of Pennsylvania Police Department (UPPD) had its on-site assessment as part of a program to retain its accredited status by verifying it meets professional standards in September 2009. All reports were positive and indicated a successful reaccreditation in 2010Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

The CALEA Assessment Team arrived at DPS in December 2009. As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community were invited to offer comments at a public information session in December 2009. Many Penn community members attended this session and provided positive feedback regarding the UPPD. Before departing the assessment process was facilitated and the closing interview offered a positive outcome for reaccreditation in March 2010.

On March 27, 2010, at CALEA’s Commission meeting held in Dallas, Texas, the UPPD was reaccredited by CALEA and due to the overwhelming success of the December 2009 on-site visit the Department was designated a “Flagship Agency” by CALEA.

View Penn University Communications Article