La Salle University Bolsters Campus Safety After Recent Spike in Crime

Since Jan. 10, 10 robberies have taken place within 500 feet of the university’s campus, including one Feb. 23 after a town hall meeting about the robberies.

• By Jessica Davis
• March 06, 2019

La Salle University announced Friday a Public Safety Action Plan to increase campus security in light of a series of recent robberies near campus.

Since Jan. 10, 10 robberies have taken place within 500 feet of the university’s campus, including one Feb. 23 after a town hall meeting about the robberies. In the two years prior, police recorded one robbery in the same radius. There have been no injuries during these incidents nor any arrests made thus far.

“The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority,” said Dawn Soufleris, Ph.D., vice president, Division of Student Affairs. “This Public Safety Action Plan was designed to strengthen all aspects of public safety in response to what’s been an unexpected and uncommon increase of criminal activity off campus. La Salle has traditionally been one of the safest universities in Philadelphia, but we are taking these necessary actions to ensure the safety of our students.”

Immediate actions being taken include an increased presence from the Philadelphia Police Department and enhancements to La Salle Public Safety.

The university plans to add an additional officer from PPD to patrol from 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. PPD officers will also have access to a map identifying where students live off-campus so they can monitor those areas more closely.

La Salle will purchase an additional public safety vehicle to patrol in and around the campus perimeter and will purchase motion-sensor lighting to be made available at no cost for off-campus student residences.

Beginning in 2019-2020, all students who want to live off-campus will be required to complete an extensive safety orientation program. Applicants for off-campus living will also be required to meet with the 35^th Police District before receiving approval to live off-campus.

“The Philadelphia Police Department understands the concerns of the La Salle community due to this unusual increase in off-campus criminal incidents. We are fully committed to preventing further incidents from occurring and, through this intensified effort, will work collaboratively with La Salle Public Safety to ensure the safety of the community surrounding its campus,” said Captain Ernest Ransom, Philadelphia Police Department, 35th Police District.