Help Is Just a Phone Call (or Tap) Away

Just about every member of the Drexel University community has an incredibly powerful public safety tool with them at all times: their smartphone.

With a single tap, you can connect directly to the Drexel Public Safety Communications Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to seek help in an emergency, request a walking escort or report a crime or suspicious activity on campus.

This month's Public Safety & U is all about maximizing your phone for safety - and honoring the dedicated professionals who are on the other end of the line. Here's what's new from Drexel Public Safety (DPS):

"Drexel Public Safety, Can We Help You?"

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is held annually during the second week of April. This year, from April 12-18, we honor the dedication, service and sacrifice of the dispatchers who answer the call when emergencies happen.

We thank our dispatchers for their prompt response and professional demeanor when serving the Drexel community.

"Did You Know?" Telecommunicator Facts

• Telecommunicators are first responders
• They provide instructions before units arrive
• They handle multiple emergencies at once
• Every second matters in call-taking

In the true spirit of NPSTW, we'd like to congratulate our March dispatcher of the month, Najalah McLean.

Nominated by her peers, Najalah goes above and beyond, crossing teams and working day or night. Known for her contagious energy and fun, uplifting spirit, her presence makes a positive impact within our communications center.

Safety Tools in the Palm of Your Hand

Jumping into spring often has our heads in the clouds or stopping to smell the flowers, but with many students returning back to campus from co-op, it's also a great time to brush up on the safety resources Drexel Public Safety offers. Here are four ways to leverage your smartphone for safety:

1. Store Drexel's emergency number - 215.895.2222 - in your phone contacts and label it Drexel Public Safety. You can find other important numbers on the DPS website.
2. Confirm your cell phone number for DrexelALERT, an emergency notification system that provides fast dissemination of critical information to students, faculty and professional staff. You do not have to sign up for this service - all students, faculty, and professional staff receive them automatically - but its effectiveness depends upon individuals providing accurate and up-to-date contact information. At the start of each term, you are asked to confirm and update your mobile phone number when you log in to DrexelOne.
3. Download the free Drexel Guardian app to turn your phone into a personalized safety device. Available for both Android and Apple devices, this app's safety features include an emergency GPS locator, the ability to set a safety timer, the option to manage and message your "guardians" (e.g. family members, roommates, friends, etc.), and the ease of emergency communication through one-touch dialing.
4. Follow Drexel Public Safety (@drexelpublicsafety) on Instagram for safety tips, department events, and FAQ Friday, in which you can get answers to frequently asked questions about the department.

For more tips to maximize your personal safety this spring, review the reminders included in last year's "back to school" edition of Public Safety & U and the Safety Tips section of the DPS website.

Thank You to Our Co-Op, John Burkhardt!

John Burkhardt (computing and technology '29 from the College of Computing & Informatics) spent his fall/winter co-op as a social media content creator and investigative security aide with DPS.

While with us, John gained valuable experience in teamwork, project management and hands-on problem solving. For John, the co-op emphasized the importance of balancing skills with effective communication to support departmental operations and address the safety needs of the campus community.

Thank you, John, for your hard work and for helping us enhance publications from a student's perspective.

Supporting Survivors During Sexual Assault Awareness Month

During the month of April, the Drexel University Police Department is joining campus partners in recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and promote prevention through education and community engagement. Throughout April, you are encouraged to show support by wearing a teal ribbon, the symbol of SAAM. Together, let's continue to build a safer, more supportive campus for all Dragons.

On April 8, Public Safety's Victim Services Coordinator Amy Spiller joined representatives from Philadelphia's District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center and the Drexel Office of Civil Rights Compliance for a Q&A event. Panelists answered questions about sexual assault resources, reporting options, and how our campus and community partners work together to support survivors.

Teal Tuesdays: On April 14, stop by DUPD's table along Lancaster Walk from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Amy will be there with Public Safety SAFE (Self Awareness for Everyone) class instructors to chat about upcoming classes and services available. They will also be handing out some giveaways.

Sign Up for a Self-Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) Class Today!

This program aims to give the Drexel community practical skills, resources and mindset to increase personal safety through three-hour, hands-on classes that are open to any student, faculty or staff member. Classes are offered on specific Tuesdays and Saturdays each month.

What to Expect: Classes begin with an overview of safety mindsets and reporting processes. Instructors then guide you through stances, patterns of movement, striking techniques (like palm strikes), and defenses against grabs or chokes.

How to Join: You can find the schedule on the DPS Events Calendar or in this newsletter. Email [email protected] to register for an upcoming class. You can also request a class  if you have a larger group that you would like to schedule outside of these monthly class dates. 

Schedule: April 14, 5-8 p.m.; April 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; May 12, 5-8 p.m.; May 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bring a Buddy: Due to the hands-on nature of the training, we strongly recommend registering with a fellow Dragon. While participation in physical techniques is recommended, it is not required.

We Are Here for You When You Need Us

Please call 215.895.2222 immediately if you experience or witness a crime. Drexel's Public Safety Communications Center is staffed 24/7 to serve you, whether or not you choose to remain anonymous when making a report. It is vital that crimes are reported promptly to Drexel Police so that they can be investigated, and so that Public Safety can connect the victim(s) with proper resources. You can also contact DPS through the Drexel Guardian app. Drexel Guardian will not track you nor 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: 445.221.5436

Walking Escorts

215.895.2222