4. Always have your DragonCard with you.
Have your DragonCard with you at all times on campus, as it is the only way to access campus buildings and use Drexel shuttles.
5. Use Drexel shuttles and foot escorts.
Drexel Real Estate and Facilities offers weekday shuttle service between University City Campus and Downtown Campus, between Downtown Campus and Queen Lane Campus, and via University City Campus to at the Vidas sports complex. To ride, simply present your DragonCard. If you are traveling on foot, Public Safety offers foot escorts within its patrol boundaries in University City upon request, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request an escort, use the Drexel Guardian app (see below below for details), call 215.895.2222, use a blue-light emergency phone, or ask any security or police officer on patrol.
6. Download the Drexel Guardian app.
Drexel Guardian is another way to connect directly to the Public Safety Communications Center. You can request help via one-touch dialing, send advice on suspicious activity via SMS, set security timers, activate a GPS locator in case of emergency, and more. Search “Rave Guardian” in the Apple App Store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Android phones and register using your Drexel email address.
7. Protect your assets.
Most crime on campus is unsupervised theft. Protect your valuables and use the free DPS service to register your property (bicycles, laptops, skateboards, cell phones, larger headphones) by bringing them to Drexel Police Headquarters at 3219 Arch Street to be registered. Still lock your bike securely (Let Sergeant Santiago show you how!). And if you buy, sell or trade items with someone you met online, you can use Drexel Police Headquarters as secure transaction space.
8. Stay aware of your surroundings.
Sounds simple, right? But it’s easy to get distracted, especially at the start of a new school year. When moving around campus, it’s important not to look at your phone, remove your headphones, and stay aware of your surroundings. Always cross at crosswalks, obey posted traffic lights, and make eye contact with approaching drivers before exiting. If you have any security concerns, feel free to call DPS using your phone, the Guardian app, or a blue-light emergency phone for assistance or to request an escort walk. For more situational preparedness tips, consider attending a “Your Safety is Our Goal” or “Self-Awareness for All” workshop (details can be found in the Community Engagements section of this newsletter).
9. Be a good neighbor and citizen.
Everyone plays a role in promoting public safety and developing a positive relationship between the University and the community as a whole. If you don’t live on campus, be sure to introduce yourself to your neighbors – get to know and respect their way of life, which may differ from yours. Maintain the appearance of your property, follow trash disposal rules, and participate in neighborhood cleanups when you can. Be aware of things like party walls and the availability of street parking. It’s the little things that go a long way in building safe and healthy communities.
10. Take care of yourself.
The start of a new academic year always brings new challenges and stress. Talk to friends, colleagues and family members, or contact the Drexel Advice Center at counselling@drexel.edu or by calling 215.895.1415. Outside opening hours or in case of emergency, call the duty counselor at 215.416.3337. (Graduate students can also access services provided by SupportLinc.) Be aware that Drexel’s Responsible Dragon Amnesty Policy ensures that students can seek medical care or assistance at any time without fear of disciplinary action. No matter the problem, the University is there to make sure you get the help you need.
11. Bonus tip: pass it!
If you found these tips helpful, be sure to share them with your friends, roommates, classmates, and/or colleagues.
Community commitments
Cookies with Cops: September 21 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Meet the police officers of Drexel while enjoying refreshments and conversation to break up your day. The next event will be September 21 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the southwest corner of 33rd and Arch Streets (next to the volleyball courts).
DPS educational programs: learn how to protect yourself
You can request any of the following presentations and training by completing the Request a presentation form.
- Your safety is our goal, on September 26 at midday Where 6 p.m.: Whether you’re new to Philadelphia or want to hone your situational preparedness skills, this monthly virtual workshop is a great way to learn how to stay aware of your surroundings and always be prepared, without fear, when you move around the city. You can register for any of the presentations on September 26 through Qualtricsor if none of these times suit you, you can request a session by filling out the presentation request form.
- Self-awareness for all (SAFE): Public Safety’s self-protection program, SAFE, aims to equip Drexel students, faculty and staff with the practical skills, resources and knowledge to increase their personal safety and protect themselves in hazardous situations. The program emphasizes mindset, self-awareness, techniques that could help in the event of a physical assault, and information on how and to whom you should report incidents and safety issues. This hands-on course lasts approximately 4.5 hours. The scheduled fall sessions are September 27 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., October 15 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and November 3 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. sign up through Qualtrics for one of these sessions, but they are also available on demand.
- Fire and emergency services, emergency preparedness: The Office of Fire and Emergency Services offers tailored awareness and training programs, on demand, to help the Drexel community reduce the risk of fire. The team offers data-driven insights that will give the participant the tools to react to an emerging event. Other topics covered are medical emergencies, elevator traps, power outages, gas leaks, and other common challenges.
We’re here for you when you need us
Please call 215.895.2222 immediately if you are a victim or witness to a crime. The Drexel Public Safety Communications Center is staffed 24/7 to serve you, whether you choose to remain anonymous when making a report. It is critical that crimes are reported promptly to Drexel Police so they can be investigated and Public Safety can connect the victim(s) to the appropriate resources. You can also contact DPS through the Drexel Guardian app. Drexel Guardian will not track you or share your information unless you initiate an emergency. To download the app, search for “Rave Guardian” in the App Store or Google Play Store.
Emergency numbers
215.895.2222 or 911
TTY: 215.571.4141
Escorts on foot
215.895.2222
To learn more about Drexel Public Safety, visit Drexel.edu/publicsafety
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