A typical Friday night at the movies turned into a much more serious matter on Jan. 15, when a 20-year-old Drexel student and an off-duty police officer were shot at the Bridge Cinema De Lux. Members of the Penn community understandably became concerned when they heard helicopters and sirens and were restricted from accessing certain blocks.
But those looking for information shortly after the incident did not receive direct information from the University’s UPennAlert system, which contacts community members via e-mail, text message or the newly-installed sirens. This lack of information was a grave mistake. We believe that this is exactly the type of circumstance in which the University should have immediately notified students and other community members.
The Division of Public Safety said the UPennAlert system was not activated over the weekend because the suspected perpetrator was not considered an immediate threat. While it is not necessary to send out an alert every time a crime is committed in the area, the fact that a suspect who shot two people just west of campus — at a movie theater frequented by students and in an area heavily populated by students — was still on the loose is a matter of significant concern for students, staff and parents. If DPS officials had sent an alert describing what happened and stating that they believed the situation was under control, they could have subdued fears and lessened confusion.
