Public Safety

Crime and Safety Tips: http://www.universitycity.org/ucd_programs/public_safety/crime-information-and-safety-tips

UCD's 42 Ambassadors provide a secure, welcoming presence for University City's residents, workers, students, and visitors. Uniformed in green and gold, the Ambassadors are unarmed officers equipped with two-way radios who patrol the streets of University City on foot and on bicycles every day from 10 am to 3 am. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to crime, provide directions and pedestrian assistance, and can call for help in emergency situations.

Each Ambassador undergoes training in public safety and crime prevention, emergency first aid and CPR, interpersonal relations and customer service, city services, and University City and Philadelphia history, attractions, and services.

Ambassadors also track public hazards such as potholes, problem street signs, blocked sewers, and broken fire hydrants. These lists are regularly forwarded to the city for corrective action.

Ambassador Services
Many Ambassador services are offered jointly with Penn's Department of Public Safety. For more information, visit their website. www.publicsafety.upenn.edu

UC Walk
As an extension of Penn's safety escort service, the UCD Public Safety Program has brought UC Walk to all members of the University City community. Those needing someone to walk them to transportation, a meeting, or home can call 215 898 WALK (9255), and an Ambassador will be dispatched. The service operates 24 hours a day.

Vehicle Assistance
Dead battery? Keys locked in the car? Call 215 387 3942 to ask for help from the UCD Ambassadors with a jump-start or lock-out problem. (For lock-outs, a waiver form must be signed.) The service operates from 8 am to 3 am seven days a week.

Homeless Outreach
The Homeless Outreach Team has a specially equipped van and 9 Ambassadors trained to assist homeless persons to shelters and hospitals. In 2006 the unit transported 168 people.

Community Events
If you are having a community function such as a festival, concert, street party, or any large neighborhood gathering and would like an Ambassador presence, please complete our Request Form. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Public Safety Task Force
This group of security professionals from UCD, Philadelphia Police, universities and institutions, and Town Watch coordinates information regarding crime trends, community-wide problems, and deployment. The Task Force is chaired by Maureen Rush, Vice President of Public Safety at the University of Pennsylvania.

Share The Road
University City is one of three communities is Southeastern Pennsylvania to participate in the "Share The Road" bicycle safety campaign. The purpose of the campaign is increasing road safety for both bicyclists and motorists through education and awareness of rights and responsibilities. For more information, visit www.share-the-road.org.