Students support safety petition

Two days after the shooting of College senior Patrick Leroy, nearly 1,000 students have signed a petition formally voicing their demands for increased security. Their requests include police patrolling at all high-volume student crossways off campus and frequent maintenance of blue light emergency phones on and off campus. The petition, which states that University students "realize attempts to increase security have been made," calls for administrators to take more action to alleviate student fears about living in West Philadelphia. College senior Katie Leeson, who co-wrote the petition, said she will submit it to the administration for review in order to devise a cohesive solution. "We want as many students as possible to sign the petition, as well as West Philadelphia community members who have neighborhood security concern," Leeson said. "We hope to gather the support of parents, alumni, faculty and local community leaders." At a student rally Wednesday night, Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush suggested students exercise more caution in order to reduce chances of being victimized while traveling on and off campus. But students' fears and anger were not calmed by these suggestions. "Students were outraged at the rally," said Wharton sophomore Jennie Pries, who signed the petition yesterday. "We've already voiced our opinions, and now they have to know that we're not going to stand for this anymore." In an attempt to increase students' knowledge about campus safety, University Police officers met with residents of Van Pelt College House, which is located at 40th and Spruce streets, the corner nearest to where the shooting occurred. The officers reiterated the need to use common sense when walking around at night, urging students to take advantage of the Penn Escort service. Engineering junior Ross Davidson, who lives in Van Pelt, said he felt no more unsafe walking to the dorm than anywhere else on or around campus. "I usually see police on almost every block around here," he said. Second-year Veterinary graduate student Vicki Estes, a graduate fellow at Van Pelt, said she has urged students to avoid going out at night whenever possible, adding that they could order out food late at night rather than going out for it. Although Estes said more measures should be taken to promote better safety on campus, she praised University Police as "courteous and prompt at arriving when called." According to Leeson, the petition students signed was not a final proposal. "We just wanted to get the ball rolling," she said. "We know that more research needs to be done to formulate a more concrete proposal, but we want students to show that they support drastic changes."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.