Security issues reigned under Hackney's rule

Safety and security have been top priorities for President Sheldon Hackney during his 12-year tenure at the University. And while some at the University question Hackney's direct contact with these issues, everyone agrees that much has changed -- both in the surrounding neighborhoods and in the approach the University has taken to combat the problems of crime. When Hackney first arrived at the University in 1981, the security systems now in place were barely existent. Blue-light phones were few and far between and limited to the campus proper. Escort Service provided poor service and was badly in need of reorganization. And the University Police department was small and restricted in its area of coverage. But safety and security did not assume its current importance as an issue for Hackney and other administrators until about four years ago, Hackney said. "It has been extremely high on my list of priorities, especially in the past four years," Hackney said this week. "When we saw the conditions in urban America deteriorate, we said that this is so important that we ought not make any decisions due to budgetary limitations -- which means that this got top priority." While other departments and schools saw their budgets slashed in recent years due to the University's financial troubles, University Police received large financial increases. During Hackney's years, card readers were added to dormitories for increased security and McGinn Security Services guards were placed in residences to monitor the doors. University Council Safety and Security Committee Chairperson Adelaide Delluva said two significant moves made during the Hackney years were the University's acquisition of Police Commissioner John Kuprevich and the strengthening of the Victim Support Services department. Delluva added that Hackney often did not make the everyday decisions on safety and security. "He wasn't in the front line, so to speak," she said. "It was more that he gave his approval as it was needed." Prior to her resignation, Executive Vice President Marna Whittington played a very large role in the shaping of security policy on campus. Whittington announced the expansion of the areas University Police would patrol, called for a doubling of the police force and brought Kuprevich in as commissioner. "In the past four years, we have reorganized the [University Police] force," Hackney said. "The recruitment of Commissioner Kuprevich has been a significant step forward. We've added uniformed police positions, we've added equipment and we've put a great deal more effort into awareness training, making sure that people understand that safety is everyone's job." Kuprevich said Hackney has shown a great deal of interest in students' safety and security on campus. "Since the day I came to Penn, it was clear that President Hackney had a solid commitment to increasing the level of safety for this University and the surrounding communities," he said. "I have always known it to be a top priority for the president and he has expressed his support many, many times," he added. "That's on the campus as well as in the community area. That was his commitment." Hackney pointed to several noticeable changes that have taken place in his years at the University. He said lighting has been increased and the Escort Service has been improved through reorganization and augmentation. Statistics reveal that crime is on the increase, but Hackney said the University Police department has set a standard for others to follow. "Although crime is still a problem, we have a model operation," he said. "I actually get letters from people who have come into contact with the police, and are impressed with their professionalism and responsiveness when there are problems." As Hackney bows out, he admits there is more to do in this area. He said lighting around campus is still in the process of being improved, adding that more will need to be done in other areas as the need arises. University Police statistics reveal that although crimes against persons are down on campus this academic year over last, off-campus crime has skyrocketed. Hackney said this increase demands attention. "The top priority is protecting people, clearly," Hackney said. "We made a decision to patrol the areas around the campus. Crime in [these] areas is still not under control satisfactorily. We have to work harder there."

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