News Briefs: Friday, March 10, 2000

Penn Police gearing up for spring break But instead of confirming airplane tickets or packing their bags, University Police are gearing up for the mass exodus of students from campus that begins today. Police officials say that the sparse occupation of neighborhood residences increases the risk of crime for those students and faculty still on campus. "What happens during our major breaks is that, as the population leaves, fewer people are on the street, and that means more danger for those on the streets," said University Police Chief Maureen Rush. "So we're especially concerned with the personal safety of people still on campus." Rush added that University Police would be continuing patrols of the area neighborhood, including all University residences. For those students living off campus, police are once providing additional patrols to those buildings left vacant or nearly vacant during the break. Registered residences will be checked by University Police patrol officers about nine to 12 times each day between today and 7 a.m. on March 20. "The Special Checks program specifically addresses the possibilities of burglary and theft from residences," Rush said, "especially in off-campus residences, as well as fraternities and sororities." Interested students can register for the program at the Department of Public Safety building at 4040 Chestnut Street. "It makes perfect sense to register your property," Rush said. "Your chance of burglary is substantially lower because you have a cop checking it about nine to 12 times a day." -- Jonathan Margulies 40th St. camera store to close next week University officials are once again looking to fill a retail vacancy along the commercially growing 40th Street corridor with the Camera Shop's closing next week, said John Greenwood, a top official at the University's real estate company. Greenwood said Penn welcomes the opportunity to lease the site at 216 S. 40th Street, adding that several prospective retailers have already approached him. "We're currently evaluating which direction to go," he said in an e-mail. Ritz Camera purchased the Camera Shop chain last year. Hamilton Village, where the Camera Shop presently resides, will soon be home to a few new ventures. The Camera shop branch in the 3401 Walnut Street complex will not be affected University officials have predicted that developments like the neighboring Sundance Cinema complex and the Freshgrocer.com specialty food market will transform 40th Street into a lively commercial zone. Last month, the Izzy and Zoe's delicatessen and bagel shop opened for business. Bitar's Restaurant, serving Middle Eastern cuisine, will fill the location next door -- formerly home to Cool Peppers -- in April. -- Aliya Sternstein