Drexel police good move by DPS
Posted by Jordan Osecki on 10 Mar 2008 at 01:06 pm | in: Drexel Half Full
Drexel’s new police force initiative is a great move by the University and many students feel it is about time. A large percentage of students (myself included) feel “safer” with Drexel public safety officers on and around campus (compared to there being none!), but always wondered in the back of our heads what would really happen if we were in trouble and needed help and what the public safety officers could really do. Plus, I know I’d call 9-1-1 before 215-895-2222.
Now though, 9-1-1 should go to Drexel police, who are only going to be dedicated to solving Drexel crime, following Drexel crime patterns, carrying weapons, being able to arrest, and probably concentrating north and west of campus on their patrols. With so many cops patrolling just for Drexel’s interests, not only will they prevent crime, but if crime does occur, it’s much more likely that the culprits will be caught, either right away or eventually.
Additionally, it has been hinted in this transformation that regular public safety officers like we have now would stick to campus (where there is very little crime) and do escorts and other things like that. I hope that in this transformation the current officers are trained in Drexel activities and customer service and become people that we can turn to for directions etc. because I know that I try to say “hello” to officers every time I pass one, but most look away from me as I get close, and its very uncomfortable. They could become very valuable assets for visitors to the University in their new role, if they are trained to do so.
Photo courtesy of Triangle Files
Hahaha! Thank you! I agree with the discomfort of people looking away from you when you get close. It’s a very unfriendly gesture and happens everywhere in Philly (not just with DPS).
Nothing says “Look at me I think I’m better than you” more than people not even acknowledging your existence as they pass you on the sidewalk! This is especially bad when it comes to public safety officers though because those people are supposed to be aware of what’s going on around campus. When they don’t acknowledge you it looks like they aren’t even paying attention.
DPS officers should be trained to at least acknowledge people with an occasional “hello”. It would lighten the mood around campus and possibly open the door for other students to say hello to each other in passing even if they don’t know each other.