Drexel Students are fortunate to live in an incredible city like Philadelphia. While campus is in West Philadelphia, we’re only a twenty minute walk from Center City, the heart of Philadelphia. Along with all the benefits of living in a city, students should always be aware of their safety on campus. Drexel Alerts often hit our phones late at night, making it one of the riskiest time to be out and about on campus. Nighttime is also one of the most popular times to be out on a college campus, so we’ve gathered a list of resources and tips to help to get around campus safely at night.
1. Use the buddy system
One of the best tips for being safe on campus is always walking with a friend. Whether you are coming home late from a party or just studying at the library, make sure you have a friend that can walk with you. This can provide you with peace of mind and may even decrease your chances of being approached or subjected to unwanted attention late at night. Friends also make the walk better by having someone to talk to about the party or how you just read 100 pages in two hours.
2. Catch a Lyft (or an Uber) to your destination
Another alternative to walking would be to take an Uber or Lyft. This is especially helpful if you are off campus. Both Uber and Lyft are very safe car services that can take you right to your apartment or dorm. Depending on the distance and surge pricing, they are pretty affordable. Plus, your whole squad can split the cost of getting home safely since both services allow you to request a split from other users. For your own piece of mind, you’re able to see a picture of the driver, the car they’re driving, and their license plate so you can make sure you’re getting into the correct car.
3. Have Public Safety walk you home
Drexel Public Safety offers a service called Drexel Walking Escorts. Through this service, you can call a Drexel Public Safety officer and he or she will be able to walk you to your destination. This service is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Drexel Public Safety officers are able to escort you from 30th to 36th Streets and Chestnut Street to Spring Garden Street. This is a free resource that students commonly forget about!
Drexel’s Public Safety exists to keep students safe on campus, so if you’re ever feeling like you could use an escort on your walk home, here is the Drexel Walking Escort services number: 215-895-2822.
4. Call on the Drexel Guardian App
If you didn’t know already, Drexel’s Public Safety resources have developed a safety app called the Drexel Guardian. The Drexel Guardian is a FREE app available for iPhones and Androids. This app lets students use their cell phones as a personal safety device by setting an Emergency GPS locator which (in the event of an emergency) would help Drexel Public Safety locate and help the student. This app also has a safety timer. This safety timer lets contacts that you choose, like your significant other or your roommate known when you have arrived at your destination. The way, they know to contact you if you’re unexpectedly late getting home from the library. The last feature of this app is easy access to emergency communication. Students can call, or even send text tips and pictures, to Drexel Public Safety if they see something suspicious around campus.
Drexel Police and Drexel Public Safety are here to keep all Drexel students safe. So next time you feel unsafe walking around campus know that you have a wealth of resources at your fingertips for getting home safe and sound.