The Division of Public Safety had great success with our special residential safety checks program during Winter Break.  During Thanksgiving Break, eight people registered for this service. However for Winter Break 133 people registered their residencies.  Penn Police and security officers inspected the perimeter of these properties once per shift throughout the Winter Break. During checks police found two residencies unsecured (meaning a window or door could have been loose, open, etc.) and immediately secured these properties as is the procedure. But “unsecured” does not necessarily mean burglarized and luckily, there were no reported burglaries at these or any other residencies registered for Special Checks. People can register for special residential checks by filling out a form on our website www.publicsafety.upenn.edu  or coming to our headquarters at 4040 Chestnut St.

Also, Public Safety reminds faculty and staff about the Walking (215-898-WALK) and Riding (215-898-RIDE) services. In December, there was a 254% increase in the use of the walking escort service over December of 2004.

—Division of Public Safety