November 25, 2016
Thom Carroll, File/PhillyVoice
The campus of Temple University in North Philadelphia.
Temple University believes new upgrades will give its on-campus security officers a helping hand in keeping the school community safe.
The school said in a press release Monday they've added several "high-tech upgrades" to the Department of Campus Safety Services' communications center, including new software, computer monitors and two additional workstations.
“Although the Communication Center’s technology was high quality, it was aging and needed a well-deserved upgrade," said Joe Garcia, deputy director of administration for campus safety.
The additions will allow school security to send out additional dispatchers when needed, according to Temple.
"New technology gives us the ability to respond to any of their needs quicker and gets us information in a timely manner," said Edda Bejarano, a systems administrator who worked on the improvements.
Safety concerns have long loomed over Temple's North Philadelphia campus. The university has the nation's largest school police force with 130 sworn Pennsylvania-certified police officers along with building security guards.
Students and faculty are alerted to crimes on and near campus through text and email alerts.
A lengthy Temple News report last year found that among the six major colleges in the city, Temple had the second-most on-campus crimes in 2014 but dramatically less overall crime than the University of Pennsylvania in University City.
In recent years, the school has taken other steps to alleviate safety concerns. With many students living in apartments off campus, the school broadened its security patrol zone in 2014.
