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SAFETY
AFTER DARK
Some Tricks
for Traveling More Safely
 Remember:
Fall back, Spring forward! On Sunday, October 28, Daylight Saving
Time comes to an end. This means we can all sleep an extra hour
Sunday morning and still have breakfast at the usual time. It also
means we lose an hour of daylight just around the time most of us
are heading home from work or school. And the professional criminals
gain an extra hour of prime-time darkness in which to work.
From the
Division of Public Safety, here are some safety tips for everyone
who uses public transportation.
--Thomas
A. Rambo, Chief of Police
--Patricia Brennan, Director of Special Services, Division of Public
Safety
Public Transportation
Safety Tips
- Become
familiar with the different bus and trolley routes and their schedules.
SEPTA schedules and general information are now posted on the
Web--the URL is www.septa.com
or call (215) 580-7800.
- When
traveling at night it is better to use above-ground transportation
systems. Buses, the above-ground stretches of subway/surface lines
and elevated lines give less cover for criminal activity.
- If
you do travel underground, be aware of the emergency call boxes
on the platform. These phones contact SEPTA Police. The phones
operate much like the University's Blue Light Phones. To operate
the SEPTA Phone, push the button. A SEPTA operator will identify
your transit stop and assist you immediately.
- Whenever
possible, try to sit near the driver.
- In
the subway station stand back from the platform edge.
- Don't
fall asleep! Stay Alert!
LUCY
Loop
- Operated
by SEPTA, Monday through Friday except major holidays, 6:30 a.m.
to 8 p.m.
- LUCY
Loop departs 30th Street Station every 10 to 20 minutes and loops
through University City.
- For
more information call (215) 580-7800.
Emergency
Phones at Subway Stops
30th &
Market Street--Subway surface SEPTA Emergency Phone located
near the middle of the platform on the wall.
33rd &
Market Street --SEPTA Emergency Phone on both the east and
west platforms on the wall near the middle of the platform.
34th &
Market Street--SEPTA Emergency Phone on the (El) platform
for east- and west-bound trains.
- Blue
Light Emergency Phone located at 34th & Chestnut outside of
the lot on the northeast corner; also on the Law School's southwest
corner of 34th & Chestnut.
36th &
Sansom Street--SEPTA Emergency Phone on both the east and
west platforms on the wall near the middle of the platform.
37th &
Spruce Street--SEPTA Emergency Phone near the middle of the
west-bound platform on the wall and near the middle of the east-bound
platform.
- Blue
Light Emergency Phone located across the street at the entrance
to the Quad. In Dietrich Gardens near the east-bound entrance
to the subway. Also, outside on the wall to the entrance of the
Steinberg-Dietrich cafeteria.
40th &
Market Street--El subway stop; SEPTA Emergency Phone located
on the platform on the wall near the cashier.
33rd &
South Street (University Station); SEPTA Emergency Phone located
in middle of platform.
- Blue
Light Emergency Phone located at north-bound and south- bound
stairwells of platform.
Traveling
During Non-Peak Times
- If
possible use above-ground transportation
- If
you use subways, stand near the SEPTA call box.
- If
possible use the Market-Frankford El (elevated lines). In case
of an emergency there is a cashier's booth staffed during hours
of operation.
- If
possible travel with a companion(s).
During
Peak Hours: Watch Out for Pickpockets
Here
are eight things pickpockets don't want you to know:
- Never
display money in a crowd. (Think this through before you leave
the safety of your office, so you aren't fumbling in public with
your purse or wallet).
- Never
wear necklaces, chains or other jewelry in plain view.
- Handbag:
Carry tightly under your arm with the clasp toward your body.
Never let it dangle by the handle. Keep it with you at all times
and always keep it closed. Never place it on a seat beside you.
- Wallet:
Carry in an inside coat pocket or side trouser pocket.
- Immediately
check your wallet or purse when you are jostled in a crowd. (And
then be doubly watchful, because the jostling may have been a
ploy to get you to reveal where you carry your money).
- If your pocket
is picked, call out immediately to let the operator and your fellow
passengers know there is a pickpocket on the vehicle.
- .Beware
of loud arguments and commotions aboard vehicles or on station
platforms. Many times these incidents are staged to distract your
attention while your pocket is picked.
- If you suspect
pickpockets at work on a particular transit route or subway station,
call SEPTA Police Hotline, (215) 580-4131/4132. It's answered
24 hours a day. You do not have to give your name. Trained personnel
will take your information and see to it that something gets done.
Also, notify Penn Police at 511 on campus, or call (215) 573-3333
from off campus.
Halloween
Safety, Too
This is
also a good weekend to pass some Halloween Safety Tips to any children
you know:
-- Trick-or-treat
in your neighborhood.
-- Only call
on people you know.
-- Never go
out alone. Go with friends. Ask your mom or dad, older
sister or brother, or a neighbor to go along.
-- Stay in
well-lighted areas.
-- Wear white
or reflective clothing.
-- Carry a
flashlight, glowstick or reflective bag.
-- Watch out
for cars.
-- Have your
parents inspect all treats before you eat them.
In
the event of an emergency call:
Philadelphia
Police: 911
University of Pennsylvania Police: (215) 573-3333
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: (215) 590-3480
Philadelphia Poison Control Center: (215) 386-2100
For additional
safety tips, contact the Detective Unit at (215) 898-4485, 4040
Chestnut Street. The department is staffed from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.,
Monday through Friday. (Emergency victim support services and sensitive
crimes reporting is available 24 hours at (215) 898-6600).
For emergencies
contact the Penn Police by using the Blue Light Phones or call 511
on campus, or call (215) 573-3333 from off campus.
To contact the
Philadelphia Police Department call 911.
Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 9, October 23, 2001
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