Safety Tactics to Practice On & Off-Campus
Written by: Isabella Diaz-Kelly | Illustration by: Aliya McDonald
Illustrated by Aliya McDonald
Stay safe and informed in Philadelphia and beyond.
As a 4th year senior at Drexel, who has lived on and off campus during some exceptionally chaotic times of social and political unrest, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be informed and aware of what’s going on around you. I’m not here to instill unnecessary fear of city life, but rather to share and offer tools of safety advice. I am sharing the below tips to be informed and prepared to better protect yourself from situations and people you may not expect.
1. Citizen
The Citizen app is one of many great tools to help you navigate safely in your area. Download the Citizen app for Philadelphia (for both Apple and Android devices) and become familiar with their safety features, including:
Live coverage and notifications for incident/crime reports in your neighborhood
The Citizen Safety Map, which allows you to request and connect with your friends to get notifications on the Citizen app when a crime is reported in proximity to someone on your map and allows you to check on them after the fact. The map acts as an extra layer of awareness for yourself and those around you.
Bystander video footage uploads video directly from the Citizen app. When you see something, Citizen can help you say something.
2. If you see something, say something
Reporting an incident you have witnessed or experienced could further save someone else from falling victim to the same situation. You can easily report any incident you witness or encounter by calling Drexel Police (215-895-2222), Philadelphia Police (911), using a Blue Light emergency phone, or through the Citizen app. It’s essential to report any incident you encounter or witness, because you never know who you may be helping by doing so.
3. Text a friend
If you are walking home alone at night, send a text to a friend letting them know you are on your way, disclose how far away you are from your destination, and of course, let them know when you make it home. At least one person will know to check up on you if they do not hear back from you.
Essential Safety Tips
Always be aware of your surroundings. When you’re walking, keep your eyes and head up and roaming so that people can see that you are alert.
Avoid wearing noise-canceling headphones or actively listening to music while walking.
Find walking routes that are well lit and busy. Walk your route during the daytime and make a point to notice if there are streetlights the whole way there and Drexel Blue Light emergency phones.
Familiarize yourself with the emergency Blue Light phones located around all three Philadelphia Drexel campuses. Blue light phones connect you directly to Drexel University’s Public Communications Center, and they can find your exact location upon calling.
Contact a Drexel Police escort by calling Drexel Public Safety (215-895-2222), using an emergency Blue Light phone located across campus, or asking a nearby safety officer directly.
Keep your phone and valuables out of sight when walking, especially if you are alone.
Trust your instincts when you feel something, or someone is acting suspiciously.
Have your car or house keys in a spot where you can quickly grab them without stopping in the street by your car or apartment. You want to avoid searching through the bottom of your bag for your keys because this allows someone to approach you and catch you off guard.
Don’t be distracted by phone calls if you’re walking outside alone. Listening to someone on the phone too intently, you may not hear or notice what’s happening around you. Having someone on the line with you until you make it home isn’t a terrible thing to do—it may be one of the safest things to do—but you may unintentionally make a target of yourself by being preoccupied. Just remain alert and keep your eyes and ears active if you are on the phone.
When walking alone at night, it’s best to have some defense on your person, i.e., mace, taser, or something heavy like a full Hydroflask water bottle. And if you don’t have any, don’t hesitate to call for a Drexel Police walking escort to wherever you’re going.
More Tips for Women
Throw a hoodie in your bag to put on when walking at night, not for the weather but to draw less attention to yourself as a woman walking alone at night. This tactic also works with throwing on a baseball cap or a pair of baggy sweatpants. I’m all for women empowerment and wearing what you want—femininity to the max—but when it comes to safety, it’s never a bad idea to take the extra precaution, even for just a couple minutes, until you’re home safe.
When walking in a sketchy area alone, find a couple of people walking in the same direction and draft them by walking nearby. You are less likely to be approached by a predator if they think you’re with the group of jocks in front of you. Be careful when doing this, and always use caution. This tactic goes hand-in-hand with making a conscious effort to walk in open, well-lit, populated areas with people around you. Witnesses are a potential safety net to you.
Additional Resources & Crisis Hotlines
Philadelphia Sexual Assault Resource Center (PSCARC): 215-425-1625
University City Counseling Center: 215-895-1415
Center City Counseling Center: 215-762-7625
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR): 215-985-3333
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): 800-656-HOPE
Being safe on and off-campus isn’t something that should take a backseat. I encourage all students to visit Drexel’s Department of Public Safety website for even more resources, direct links to victim services, and other support. It’s never a bad idea to be familiar with the safety systems available to you.