FOCUS: A Year On The Streets

In just one year, gunpoint robberies on and off campus have risen by 52 percent, according to statistics obtained from University Police. During that same period of time, the number of total robberies reported to University Police are up 32 percent, aggravated assaults 16 percent and simple assaults 15 percent. These figures represent a stark contrast to other statistics released by the University Police Department showing reported crime on campus to be at about the same level over the past seven years. Although crime on campus is staying at a constant level, crime in the periphery of the University has been steadily increasing, the statistics show. University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich cautioned against considering the statistics "official." In fact, he has been working with the Philadelphia Police 18th District to compile revised statistics. Kuprevich said he feels the statistics released by his department do not represent a trend in crime, and could merely represent an increase in the reporting of incidents. He added it is important to note that some of the crimes in these statistics did not even occur in West Philadelphia. As an example, he cited students and staff who have lost their PENNcards in other states and reported it to University Police. "All I can really tell you is that looking from one year to the next there are a tremendous amount of variables that can account for increases and decreases," Kuprevich said. Under state law, University Police's primary jurisdiction is restricted to the buildings and property owned and operated by the University. "What we chose to pick up as a campus police department is an area that we call our secondary area of responsibility, and that is the public streets area, the public and private dwellings, and pretty much from the river to 43rd [Street], and Market [Street] to Baltimore [Avenue]. "What secondary means is that we respond to incidents, we do initial reports and make arrests if necessary and turn that information over to Philadelphia Police for follow up," he added. Kuprevich said Philadelphia Police have primary responsibility for crimes off campus, and he recommends that University-affiliated people call Philadelphia Police as well as University Police when crimes occur off campus. "We have an excellent group of officers that work the 18th District," he said. "Southwest Detectives have been extraordinarily helpful in cases that we've had, and I don't see why that would stop, I actually anticipate that it will get better." Although fears about crime have been increasing in recent years, anxiety was heightened in August when fifth year Mathematics graduate student Al-Moez Alimohamed was shot to death across the street from his off-campus apartment at 48th and Pine streets. Wharton senior Samir Shah was shot earlier that month as he entered his house in the shadow of the University's Veterinary School. Like the murder of Alimohamed, most incidents of violent crimes occur, off campus, however. Earlier this year, for example, fourth year Systems Engineering graduate student Keith Campbell was shot in the back of his neck during an armed robbery at 42nd and Baltimore Avenue. Campbell is fully recovered now and his assailants were recently convicted. While these incidents of violent crime seem the most memorable, Kuprevich said the majority of crimes reported are theft of unattended property. University President Judith Rodin said she understood students' concerns about crime, and outlined the goals for her new administration. "We are committed to the economic viability of West Philadelphia," Rodin said. "This is a significant problem," she added. "There is no doubt. Are we shying away from this, absolutely not. We are going to think in a coordinated way in terms of our security, residential security and the economic development of West Philadelphia." Community House Resident Advisor Mike Sweeney said many of the freshmen living on his hall, and their parents, were concerned about safety. "Students and parents were asking how bad crime was around here, and I tried to tell the truth as much as I could," the College senior said. "It's not a safe area." Student Committee on Undergraduate Education Chairperson Matthew Kratter said last month that crime is not only an issue for people at the University, but one that affects the University's ability to attract students. "The neighborhood around here concerns students, and rightfully so," the Wharton and Engineering senior said. "In order to procure a proper collegial environment, the neighborhood has to be safer for students." Kratter said two prospective students stayed with him last year while visiting the University. He said they both were "leaning" toward Cornell University because of concerns about living in West Philadelphia. Kite and Key Society President Roberta Griff also said last month that people visiting the University regularly ask questions about campus crime. "I think security is an issue for any campus in an urban environment," the College senior said. "I'm sure they ask the same question at Columbia [University]." Admissions Dean Lee Stetson said crime is a subject that concerns applicants. "There is no doubt that students and parents are asking more questions about security than they ever have in the past," he said last month. Stetson added that he does not believe crime has significantly impacted the University's applicant pool, which hit a record high this year. "There is always the possibility on any campus that a major incident with broad level publicity could hurt us," Stetson said. "I've always been concerned over many years that it not be an issue that singles Penn out among other institutions. So far it has not, but I hope it doesn't happen in the future." Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Dan Debicella said crime is one of the top issues the UA will deal with this year. "I think the criminal scum of West Philadelphia know that University students have money, and I think we are easy targets," the Wharton junior said. "We have to make it so the criminals don't think we are easy targets." Another UA member, Lance Rogers, said he considers security "priority one." "With four of my friends calling me and telling me they've been broken into in the last 24 hours, it would seem that [crime is a major problem]," the College junior said. "I don't believe the University is doing as much as it can," he said. "I would like to see more police presence." Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Chairperson David Mestre said graduate students, many of whom live off campus, are very concerned about rising crime rates. "Statistically, the students are more at risk than they were before, and I think that is starting to dawn on them," said Mestre, who is also chairperson of the Graduate Newman Council. Leading the administration in the fight on crime, Rodin said security is "the most compelling issue that I am confronting at the moment, and I take it completely seriously." Rodin said it is imperative to "make this a more safe environment, and we would have done that whether or not Moez was murdered." Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said he is acting from a "mandate to make Penn and the environs as safe as possible." Even if the University's crime problems were less severe, Moneta said action would still need to be taken. "To me, the important message is that Penn is not disputing that it needs to deal with safety," he said. "Short term, Penn is going to have to do everything it can to make people safe. Long term, Penn is actively engaged in community development and economic development." Barbara Castle, assistant vice provost for intervention services, said only a broad-based community-wide effort will stem off crime. "You always need to be aware of your surroundings and environment," she said. "We all need to be aware and those people who are in positions to address the specific situations need the support of the community because safety is everybody's responsibility." Some administrators feel the University is already as extended as it can get, however. "Wherever you draw the line, there will be those who live beyond that who will argue that we should go further out," Executive Vice President Jack Freeman said. "Right now we have reasonably quick response to 43rd Street. Even if we were deputized, we do not have the resources to extend far into the city." If University Police were deputized by the city, officers would have jurisdiction past 43rd Street. "My guess is that on campus people are pretty safe," Freeman said. "My guess is that off campus, we have a way to go." Kuprevich agrees that people are safer on campus than off, but feels the University has shown commitment to the University's surrounding neighborhoods. "We have also looked for ways to enhance our relationship with Philadelphia Police," Kuprevich said. "Most recently that level of cooperation has really expanded so that we are two different agencies take a very different look at how we respond together, [and] how we do prevention together." Philadelphia Police have also been consulted in the Department of Public Safety's highly anticipated "master plan," Kuprevich said. The plan -- which is to lay out the future of security operations at the University -- should be available for the public to discuss in late December or early January after the administration examines it, Kuprevich said.