Undercover police units to patrol area

U., Phila. Police to join in effort In response to the third on-campus armed robbery within the last two weeks, University Police announced plans yesterday to reactivate undercover police units. The units, comprised of both University and Philadelphia Police officers, have been activated in the past when "the need has presented itself," according to Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush, who officially takes office today. "This is part of a cooperative effort between law enforcement agencies to help each other out in times of need," she explained. Following Saturday night's armed robbery of the Foot Locker store at 34th and Walnut streets, University Police decided to go ahead with the plan. "We were alarmed by the number of robberies involving guns," Rush said yesterday. In the Foot Locker incident, gunmen disarmed the store's security guard before robbing the store of $2,000 0f cash and $1,000 worth of merchandise. Plainclothes University Police officers, in addition to officers from the Philadelphia Police department's Anti-Crime Team and Undercover Burglary Detail, will be deployed on campus soon, Rush said. The undercover units will be augmented by uniformed Tactical Response Team officers belonging to the Philadelphia Police department. Rush explained that the purposes of the two units are quite different. "Our primary goal is deterrence, which is best accomplished through increased visibility," Rush said. "That's one of the prime goals of the Tactical officers -- to saturate an area with uniformed police. "We want to be clearly visible to both criminals and the public," she added. The flip side to such visibility, however, is that criminals are able to see exactly when officers leave an area, Rush explained. But the purpose of the undercover units is to "observe without being observed." "They'll be able to spot people who are acting suspiciously," she said. Rush added that the undercover officers can stop a suspect for "reasonable suspicion" before a crime is actually committed. She said suspects are typically stopped if they appear to be checking out cars or stores. Rush said she is aware that such measures may not to do much to improve student's perceptions of safety on campus. "Students probably won't even know that they're there," she said. Rush added that the undercover units are necessary to deal with the "changing face of crime." "We have to re-evaluate a lot of things," she said. "What may have worked in the past may not be working now." Rush said the department is currently looking into ways to improve the efficiency of the police dispatchers, as well as coverage of specific sectors of campus. Additionally, University Police officers will be more "aggressive," according to Rush. Specifically, Rush commended University Police officers Michael Sylvester and Len Harrison for their part in two arrests Monday night following the mugging of a student at 39th and Sansom streets. "Crime is frustrating to everyone, especially police officers who really want to see the bad guys off the street," she said. "Peace of mind will come through the visibility of the officers. They're aware of that, and you're going to see cooperation on their part."