LETTERS: Achieving the state-of-the-art

To the Editor: The University has been working on increasing security technology for a year. The best security technology firm had to be selected, a workable program designed and a contract negotiated. Public Safety Security Director Chris Algard accompanied a number of Penn staff, including representatives of Housing and Residence Life, to Atlanta in December of last year 1995 to observe functioning Sensormatic systems at Georgia Tech and Grady Hospital. He has been meeting with many sectors of the University, including Housing and Residence Life and other concerned groups, about the progress of the technology project. Contrary to your editorial, the goal of state-of-the-art security technology is achievable. The first purchase order for Sensormatic goods and services was prepared three weeks ago. Since then, a Sensormatic project manager, technicians and other support staff have been working on campus. Sensormatic is assembling and testing equipment for installation as quickly as possible. The number of Sensormatic personnel working on campus will steadily increase as the project takes place. Naturally everyone in the University community is impatient for results. The administration has committed to move this very large and complex project to completion as quickly as possible. A "rush" for a "quick fix" will not produce the desired result: a comprehensive, effective and efficient security and safety system. Thomas Seamon Public Safety Managing Director Getting in honestly To the Editor: The arrest of George Kobayashi ("Calif. man arrested for standardized test cheating scam," DP, 10/30/96) should alert readers to the cutthroat nature of the graduate school admissions process. People who cheat on standardized tests are taking an enormous risk -- and in this case, appear to be spending a great deal of money -- for a payoff that is available for a lower price without risk. The Princeton Review has historically opened its record of improvement to outside audit and proven that standardized tests are imminently beatable with the proper, legal preparation. Why pay someone thousands of dollars and risk ruining your life when you can pay much less and receive a guarantee of better scores? Paul Edelblut Executive Director Princeton Review/Mid-Atlantic Angered by murder To the Editor: I am horrified by the recent murder of Penn researcher Vladimir Sled. His death is the most tragic representation of the decline of Penn's campus and the surrounding area. Having lived in West Philadelphia for five years, I have watched the neighborhood become increasingly dangerous. I recall my first year here, 1991, feeling safe walking at night accompanied by at least one person -- even very late at night. Today, though, there is no safety in numbers, nor is crime limited to the wee hours of the morning. I am now a prisoner in my home, never venturing out after dark, except to board the Escort van. Penn must take serious action to save our school. Blue light phones will not do it! For that matter, increased police presence also seems to have little effect. On Halloween around 10 p.m., shortly before Sled's murder, I recall seeing two police officers only a couple blocks from 43rd Street and Larchwood Avenue, the scene of the crime. A recent letter to the DP suggested Penn learn from other urban schools, such as Columbia. This is a wonderful idea, and if administrators have not already done so, I urge them to find out how other schools maintain safety on campus. Penn must not let another tragedy happen! Olivia Johnson Medicine '99