This article originally ran in the March 2012 newsletter. The University City District (UCD) has begun a regular monthly email blast detailing crime patterns inUniversity City, and steps you can take to be safe. The following news was provided in the February 14th notice.
As was noted in January, there were a number of aggravated assaults reported in University City since the beginning of 2012. As always, UCD, the Philadelphia police department, the Penn and Drexel police departments and other institutional public safety divisions responded with a strategic and coordinated effort to address those and other crimes in the neighborhood. We’re pleased to report that arrests were made in 6 out of the 11 robberies with weapons that were reported since January 1st. Of course, this partnership of public safety departments will continue to rigorously review crime patterns and determine deployment strategies in a proactive effort to assure thatUniversity Cityremains an incredibly safe place to live, work and play.
From January 13th to February 12th, 2012, the following eighteen serious crimes were committed within the University City District boundaries: Aggravated assault, with weapon; Robbery, with weapon; and Robbery, no weapon. [Editor’s note: The e-mail contains charts, not printed here, that provide more detailed analysis.] What stands out are the dramatic across the board drops in crime over the last 30 days. We are encouraged by these drops which we believe are a result, in part, of the stepped up public safety efforts of the last month.
Despite the drop in these types of crimes, we ask you to continue to be vigilant and consider the following:
• Please take precautions when walking at night. Keep your head up and scan your surroundings. Choose wide, well-lit streets and more populated walkways.
• Do not leave valuables in your automobile. If you must leave valuable items in your automobile while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them to an inconspicuous location.
• Remember that anyone inUniversity Cityin need of a Walking Escort — someone to accompany them to transportation, a meeting, home, class, etc. — can call 215-898-9255 or 215-387-3942 between 10 a.m. and 3 a.m. and a UCD Ambassador will be dispatched. Encourage everyone you know to program the number in their mobile phone.
• Join us on the third Thursday of every month for a community meeting led by the Philadelphia Police Department atCalvaryChurch, 48th andBaltimore Avenue, at 6 p.m. to discuss ongoing safety concerns in the neighborhood. This forum provides a chance for neighbors to interact and share concerns with both Philadelphia Police and UCD public safety personnel.
• If you are interested in participating in a neighborhood town watch, please email Patty Bulack at pbulack@gmail.com.
We hope you find this information useful, and we welcome your feedback and questions. And, as always, we invite you to reach out to us with your concerns and feedback or if you want to receive the monthly e-mail. Don’t hesitate to contact UCD Director of Community and Business Services Steve Walsh at 215-243-0555 x239 or steve@universitycity.org