Penn Police are still waiting for a report card from their work over winter break, but they already have reason to think they are making an impact.
Although the some of the results of December's security programs will not be determined until all students return to campus, Penn's Division of Public Safety Special Services Director Patricia Brennan said she has seen an increase in the use of the walking escort service and enrollment in the DPS' residential security checks.
An increase would mean that "members of the community are taking personal responsibility for their safety and security and making wise decisions," she said in an e-mail interview.
The DPS implemented three primary measures to deter holiday thieves: a full-time task force, daily security checks on registered properties and a flyer notifying all College House residents and 6,000 international students of winter break safety tips.
According to Brennan, 133 people registered to have police check that their residences were locked over break. The checks were available for properties from 30th to 43rd Street and from Baltimore Avenue to Market Street. Only eight residents had signed up for the service prior to leaving for fall break.
Two residential properties were found open, said Penn Police Chief Mark Dorsey in an e-mail statement. Although the owners were notified, the addresses can not be released until residents return and determine if any of their property has been stolen.
Walking escort services for the month of December totaled 1,331 people, a 245 percent increase from December 2004's figure of 386. Overall, use of the service increased 87 percent from last year.
Campus Apartments Regional Property Manager Jason Cohen said his company, based at 4043 Walnut St., conducted property checks between Dec. 25 and New Year's Day to ensure that all buildings were securely locked. Some tenants had forgotten to bolt their doors before departing for winter vacation.
Cohen said there have been no reports of break-ins, "but all the students aren't back either."
Third-year Law student Georgi Daugherty said she was worried about safety during winter break. Her apartment at 45th and Walnut streets had been burglarized in November.
Although she did not register for the security checks because her apartment fell outside the program's boundaries, she experienced no unexpected intruders.
"Maybe the thugs went on Christmas break, too," she said.
