U. looking at innovative ways to combat crime

In response to heinous tragedies and increasing crime rates, members of the University community have begun brainstorming to find solutions to the criminal and social problems plaguing University City. "It seems to me that there is a great deal that the University can do, starting with re-affirming its commitment to the viability of West Philadelphia and the viability of the campus," said History Professor Lynn Lees, a member of the Penn Faculty and Staff for Neighborhood Issues (PFSNI) Steering Committee. "For better or worse, [the University's] fate is linked to the city in which it is situated." And Lees said the social and physical conditions of University City are directly linked to the level of criminal activity in the area. PFSNI has recommended that the University purchase properties west of 40th Street that appear at risk of abandonment and convert them into college houses; ask area landlords to better maintain their properties; help create a Special Services District to clean trash off the streets; and expand University Police patrols off campus, in a hope to revive foot traffic after dark. Groups from all over campus have also called for University Police to make fundamental changes in the way it does business. For years, University Police has discussed becoming deputized by the city -- a move that would give University Police real jurisdictional authority to patrol off campus. Currently, University Police operate under a state law that allows them to patrol only as far as University property extends. University Police have also discussed having a 24-hour detective unit, as most professional police departments do, and establishing a University charging unit to circumvent processing criminals through the already congested Southwest Detectives. In addition, police officers have called for the purchase of a paddy wagon to transport suspects, so a majority of police cars can be freed up for campus patrols. But some police officers say they would be best helped by getting radios that put them in contact with Philadelphia Police's 18th District. Although some of University Police's radios monitor the 18th District's band, no University Police officers can communicate with Philadelphia Police. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich refused to return several phone calls placed to his home and office this week. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Dan Debicella said while he feels University Police must re-invent the way they do police work, their biggest priority should be getting deputization. "If they go past 43rd Street they lose their jurisdiction," the Wharton junior said. "That is ridiculous. I have no idea why Philadelphia has not given us that power. "The [University] administration really has to lobby the city for this," he said. Dave Ball, president of the University's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, said the University should staff the Detective and Victim Support offices 24 hours a day, in addition to other changes. While Victim Support has an official on-call 24 hours a day, Ball said the office, itself, should remain open. "All those things have been proposed, but not acted on," Ball said. "The way we conduct our business has to be changed. If we are going to patrol the periphery, we have to change our philosophy." In addition, numerous University Police officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they had no confidence in Kuprevich's ability to lead the department into the future. He was generally cited as being well-intentioned, but ineffective. And as administrators and police officials plan for the future, some community members have called for immediate action. "I think the University can have direct and immediate impact in the areas of public safety, real estate and clean streets," PFSNI member Richard Shell said. "The University depends on this community as much as it depends on the electricity." Shell said the first thing he would like to see, however, is a plan. University President Judith Rodin agrees. "We need a new plan for safety," she said, adding that security is on the schedule of the next University Council meeting. "I am going to bring national consultants to campus. Everything is on the table."