On Sunday, October 18th, 2014, an armed robbery occurred off-campus near Temple University on 1930 North 18th St. On Thursday and Friday of that same week, two robberies occurred on the 1500 block of North Broad St., 1400 block of Diamond Street as well as in the parking lot of the Fresh Grocer.
The students affected by the robbery on North 18th St had their valuables stolen and were bound with zip ties. One of the students suffered from multiple injuries and was hospitalized.
The female robbed on the 1400 block of Diamond Street sustained injury on her forehead and arm.
Temple University students receive TU alerts whenever the university feels a situation could put its students in danger. These alerts are meant to keep students in the loop, yet they still cause much anxiety within the Temple community.
“I feel uncomfortable after receiving so many alerts in such a short amount of time. I always think it won’t happen to me, but recently someone I know was held at gunpoint during a robbery I was alerted of on TUalert,” Temple University sophomore, Sam Schlosberg, said. “This makes me aware that these alerts pertain more to me than I thought.”
While the university recently expanded its patrol zone to include more off-campus housing, the alerts have continued to warn students of potential danger. Over the past couple of months, the alerts have remained fairly consistent, even after the expansion of police patrol borders.
“Being a 5-foot-tall young woman, I naturally do feel slightly uneasy at times when I am off campus,” Mackenzie Anderson, a Temple freshman stated.
Temple University is trying to ensure safety and take precaution both on and off campus.
“I think Temple is improving in its ability to protect students. With each dangerous occurrence, more Temple Police are deployed over a larger area,” Schlosberg said.
Students are definitely aware of their surroundings due to these alerts and remain vigilant when venturing off Temple’s campus.
“Overall, I feel very safe here and I appreciate the extent to which TU campus police is actively trying to maintain our safety,” Anderson said.
Although Temple is taking action to prevent crime around campus, many students believe they can still do more to help. “I believe that Temple and Philadelphia Police should not be focusing on busting parties and answering noise complaints, but keeping violent crime at bay,” Schlosberg shared. “In my experience, Philadelphia Police are far too forceful will college students. While time and resources are being spent on reconnaissance for underage drinking, a blind eye is being turned on robberies and violent crimes. It is far more important to prevent these sorts of crimes we have been receiving TUalerts about.”