Temple University Enlists Ex-Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey To Audit Campus Security
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Temple University is turning to one of the region's most respected law enforcement officials to help improve campus safety. The university said Thursday it is partnering with former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey for an audit of the campus safety services. The partnership starts immediately.
Ramsey ran the city's police department from January 2008 to January 2016. During his time there, the city's homicide rate dropped 37%, while overall violent crime went down by 31%. He also co-chaired the Task Force on 21st Century Policing, created by President Barack Obama.
"Charles Ramsey is one of the most decorated police commissioners in recent history, and his track record speaks for itself. His work in Philadelphia and with President Obama has been well-documented, but he also had great success leading police forces in both Chicago and Washington, D.C.," said Dr. Jason Wingard, president of Temple. "We are committed to enhancing safety around campus and Commissioner Ramsey's expertise will be key to ensuring that we are on the right path."
The move comes after several shootings near the North Philadelphia campus. They include the murder of student Samuel Collington. A gunman shot and killed him during a robbery and carjacking near campus in November.
Temple says the university will also be launching a new campus safety app and implementing several other new enhancements.
"It's called Rave Guardian. Some places are already using that nearby, and we find that's going to be great for students. They're going to have an opportunity to always have safety in their hand using their phone they can contact us right away. It has a GPS mechanism so we'll know where you are. You can do a virtual escort if you don't want to walk with one of our folks. You can use either your friends, you can use our dispatchers, and everything that you do we'll be able to pop up on our screen in our communications center and we'll know where you are, what you need," Executive Director of Campus Safety Charlie Leon said.
The RAVE Temple Guardian App will be available on Feb. 14.
In a letter, the university also listed the following changes:
- An increase in the school's on-demand evening shuttle service;
- Additional lighting, cameras, and emergency phones around campus;
- Doubling the number of Philadelphia police officers patrolling near campus; and
- Expanding the Temple police force.
Other changes and goals made by the university for this initiative can be found here.
