Penn mulls new security policies following attacks

In light of this month's terrorist attacks, University officials have spent the past few weeks re-evaluating Penn's safety policies, specifically exploring both identification procedures and the presence of vehicles on campus.

While Locust Walk has now been permanently blocked to all non-emergency vehicles, officials are still debating whether to require students and staff to wear visible identification badges.

The Walk has been off limits to vehicles since Sept. 11. University officials have placed barriers at all entrances to Penn's main campus thoroughfare, and a SpectaGuard now stands at each entrance.

"We went on a complete lockdown of the interior of campus," Vice President of Public Safety Maureen Rush said.

The issue of increasing the safety of Locust Walk is one that has been discussed for quite some time. According to Rush, there are three main reasons why vehicular traffic down Locust Walk is potentially dangerous and costly: the presence of pedestrians, expensive damage caused to Locust Walk and the possibility of vehicles left unattended.

Prior to the events of Sept. 11, vehicles traveling down the center of campus were required to obtain a permit from the Division of Facilities Services, a policy implemented less than two years ago.

Now, the Walk will only be available to emergency utility vehicles, such as those used for water and electric services.

"What we're aiming to do is limit the non-emergency usage of Locust Walk and limit anything parked unattended," Rush said.

The decision to close Locust Walk to non-emergency vehicles is a permanent one that will force other automobiles to use city streets as opposed to the interior of campus.

In addition to limiting the use of the interior of campus, policies to visibly identify members of the Penn community while on campus are still in the works.

Officials are introducing the concept of visible IDs to deans and department heads and are in the process of ordering the necessary materials, according to Rush.

"It has not started yet, but we have ordered badges that are user-friendly," she said.

University President Judith Rodin said the fact that many schools in the nation do not require visible IDs is somewhat anomalous.

"There are people calling for national ID cards, which they have in many other countries," Rodin said. "We're an outlier in the [United States] in not having those."

Rush noted the success stories of parts of campus, such as the medical center, that have already implemented a policy of visible IDs.

And Rodin noted that in the past, students have supported implementing a visible ID policy.

"The last time we had a rash of problems on campus, students themselves suggested that we have [IDs], and I think that's something we should look into," she said.

Not only will visible IDs alert people to those without IDs, but "theft can be drastically reduced," Rush said, adding that the potential policy would prevent unauthorized people from entering campus buildings.

It "will draw people's attention that that person is not wearing an ID card and everyone else is," Rush added. "It gives people a playing field in which to operate."

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