In the past two weeks, three robberies have occurred near campus, according to the Division of Public Safety.
Two of the incidents involved a weapon, and two robberies involved victims affiliated with the University.
A shooting also occurred just outside the Penn Patrol zone and a gunshot was reported just off campus, both in mid-August, according to Philadelphia Police.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said she was concerned about the number of recent violent crimes, especially as new students arrive on campus.
"Clearly, there's people who are going to prey on new people in the city, so all of us at all the universities are gearing up to make sure that everyone" is educated about their safety, she said.
To that effect, safety presentations will be given to freshmen during New Student Orientation.
"This is a very challenging time with the start of the school year, so we're going to be even more vigilant," she added.
The crimes are as follows:
On Aug. 27 at about 6:55 p.m., a 37-year-old male unaffiliated with the University was approached by two unknown male suspects on the 4200 block of Delancey Street.
The first suspect displayed a handgun, and the second suspect pushed the victim and demanded money. The victim's identification was stolen, along with $280. Both suspects fled on foot eastbound on Delancey Street.
On Aug. 17 at 6:25 a.m., a University employee was walking on the unit block of 34th Street when a man who appeared to be sleeping on a bench approached him and pulled his necklace off his neck.
The victim was able to retrieve his necklace before the suspect fled in an unknown vehicle eastbound on Market Street.
On Aug. 16 at about 1:45 a.m., another University employee was walking on the 4200 block of Sansom Street when an unknown suspect approached him, displayed a handgun and demanded money. The suspect took $25 and the victim's cell phone and fled on foot westbound on Sansom Street.
On Aug. 15, one gunshot was reported on the unit block of S. 40th Street. Philadelphia Police received a 911 call from a person claiming a gun had gone off during an attempted robbery near campus, according to Karima Zedan, then-DPS spokeswoman.
Police could not provide the time when the 911 call was placed, Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker said.
A detective at the scene said only a spent shell casing and a small amount of blood were found.
Walker said no witnesses and no victims have come forward, and no victim has been found after a search of area hospitals. As such, and because none of the evidence proves an actual crime has occurred, the incident is not under further investigation.
On Aug. 14, a shooting occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on the 4500 block on Sansom Street, Walker said.
According to Walker, Darrell Holloway, 18 and unaffiliated with the University, said he was riding his bike when a car drove up and fired at him with a shotgun.
Holloway was shot in the face, survived, and is currently in stable condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
The shooting occurred outside of the Penn Patrol Zone, which extends from 30th to 43rd streets and from Baltimore Avenue to Market Street.
