To serve and protect

9:27 p.m. On a cold winter night, two homeless men lie on top of a steam grate in an alley just north of campus. University City District Safety Ambassador Judy Myers reaches for her radio to report the situation back to headquarters. She requests that an outreach unit, which specializes in care for the homeless, be sent to convince the two men to spend the night in a shelter. For Myers, the outreach component of her job is as important as any other. Safety ambassadors are just one of the several safety forces in the Penn community -- including Penn Security, University Police and Philadelphia Police. "Safety ambassadors provide a visible presence for improving public safety and also for hospitality... to make people feel more welcome while on the streets of University City," UCD Executive Director Paul Steinke said. Another safety branch patrols right alongside the ambassadors -- Penn Security, which guards campus buildings. While the ambassadors' responsibilities extend into the West Philadelphia community, Penn Security officials deal strictly with issues inside Penn's borders. Security Officer Twanda Daniels, a former member of the military, is responsible for keeping an eye on campus buildings. Back on the ambassador beat, Myers will return to UCD headquarters, at 3940 Chestnut Street, to search for sweaters for the two homeless men. Before signing off the radio, she adds, "I'm gonna run over to 7-11 and get them a cup of coffee." She'll pay for the beverage out of her own pocket. The safety forces in this area work closely, sharing both headquarters and radio waves. The ambassadors take roll call with 25 uniformed Philadelphia Police officers out of their headquarters. And Penn Security shares its 4040 Chestnut Street offices with the Penn Police. The ambassadors, Penn Security and Penn Police also share a radio frequency. "We all work as one," Daniels explained. This summer, the two safety forces combined in a merger. Now, ambassadors and security officers can provide more escorts off campus. Requests for escorts through 898-WALK go to the closest ambassador or security officer, who assists the individual and then returns to his or her original duties. There are roughly 45 ambassadors who cover Penn's campus and the surrounding area -- a 180-block radius that extends from 30th to 50th streets and includes Penn, Drexel and Temple. For 19 hours a day, the ambassadors walk the streets of University City. Ambassador training -- a 108-hour process -- includes learning CPR and crime prevention skills, as well as becoming familiar with elements of customer service and the attractions of University City. "We've got to stay alert, watch the shadows," Myers said. "You've got to use your guts." So, why become an ambassador or member of the security team? "What I like most about the ambassador program is the opportunity to meet so many different people," Myers said. But it's not only the people on the outside that make this line of work so special, it's also the people within the organization. "We all know each other like the back of our hands," Myers said. "We know each other's likes and dislikes, who can take a joke, who can't. We know each other so well, it's spooky." Spooky or not, ambassadors are never put in severe danger. "We don't go wrestling anybody," Myers said. "Our safety is first," she added. "If there are gun shots in an area, we leave. We're not heroes, we're ambassadors. I like this job, but I want to go home at the end of the night." Back at headquarters, Myers rummages through boxes and piles for some warm clothes to bring back to the two homeless men. Triumphantly, she pulls out a turtleneck and jacket. Her own attire draws some attention. The ambassadors' infamous bright yellow jackets with the UCD logo emblazoned on the back make them easy to spot at any hour. "We stick out like a sore thumb," Myers said. "The yellow coats are like a magnet." The Penn Security walkers, such as Daniels, are easily identifiable too. They are outfitted in a red coat and blue pants. Neither ambassadors nor security officers are armed, but they do carry radios. And Penn Security details its officers with a master set of keys to the exterior entrances of University facilities. Primarily, Daniels makes sure all campus buildings are properly locked. She also checks the buildings' facilities, including elevator phones, and reports any malfunctions back to headquarters. "Some phones work, some don't," she said while pointing to an antiquated looking brown elevator phone. And "some buildings don't have phones in the elevators," she added, in irritation. Walking around in dark, vacant buildings could cause someone to be a bit apprehensive -- but not Daniels. For her, the job is an opportunity to explore. "I like being nosy," she said casually. "Basically, that's what it is -- you're being nosy." And Daniels has made some interesting discoveries. Along her route, she pauses before an office corridor decorated by a row of black and white photographs of a cat eyeing a swimsuit model and peering out of a desk drawer. "Just looking at that cat makes my day, " Daniels said. It is very important that both Penn Security and ambassadors are happy and friendly. "You can't come to work with an attitude," she adds. "You leave the madness at home." 10:34 p.m. A message comes across the radio waves that one of the two homeless men Myers assisted earlier has decided to go in for the night. Breathing a sigh of relief, she replies to the outreach unit, "Thank you. Good job."