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DPS Advisory to Members of the Penn Community

August 29, 2020

Dear Members of the Penn Community:

As we begin a new academic year, we at the Division of Public Safety wish to reiterate our support for a healthy and safe environment for you to study, work, research and live.

We all recognize that these are challenging times for our country, our city and our University. Between the continuing changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as recent crime trends and civil unrest in Philadelphia, we understand that this may be an upsetting and uncertain time for the Penn and University City communities. Be assured that the University considers your safety its utmost priority and has consistently maintained the normally high levels of Penn Police and Allied Security patrols to ensure the physical safety of our community.

As you may be aware, at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, August 25, a large group of people marched from Clark Park at 43rd & Baltimore Avenue to 40th and Chestnut Street. The group broke windows and painted graffiti along the 40th Street corridor causing extensive damage to several businesses, Penn buildings and a Penn Police vehicle. They also harassed University City neighbors on their way back to Clark Park, where they eventually dispersed. Penn Police and Allied Security were on site ensuring the physical safety of pedestrians and motorists in the area.

The Penn Police continue to work closely with the Philadelphia Police department, in order to receive information and support for any future potentially concerning or violent events occurring close to our campus, and the off-campus student housing area.

We encourage you to use all of the free services available to you and offer the below reminders:

Also, if you have not done so, please take a moment to sign up for the UPennAlert System (https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/pennready/upennalert/), as well as the Penn Guardian App (https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/safety-initiatives/pennguardian/) which can help Public Safety locate you in an emergency. Remember that after receiving a UPennAlert, you can find additional information about the on-going emergency on the Public Safety website (https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/). Our website becomes a “Bulletin Board” with real time updates during an event or emergency, and is an excellent source of information to the entire Penn community and parents of students who are living in the University City area.

Most importantly, take care of yourself, whether by talking to a friend, colleague, family member or contacting Penn’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) (https://caps.wellness.upenn.edu/) or the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (http://www.healthadvocate.com/upenn). You can also call Special Services (https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/about/special-services/) at (215) 898-6600 or the 24/7 Help Line (https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/safety-initiatives/help-line-215-898-help/). Remember Penn has a student Medical Amnesty (https://aod.wellness.upenn.edu/amnesty/) program that ensures students can request medical assistance for themselves or their friends.

The Division of Public Safety Team is wishing you a safe and productive semester!


—Maureen S. Rush, Vice President for Public Safety, Superintendent of Penn Police

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