PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Temple University has changed its safety plan after a deadly shooting happened early Tuesday morning close to campus.
The changes were laid out in a message to the university community, sent on Wednesday, from Charlie Leone, Temple’s executive director of public safety.
"I am reaching out today regarding another public health crisis that has been exacerbated by COVID-19 and also affects our entire community," Leone said.
As described, there will be more Temple police and bike security patrols in key areas along with more Philadelphia Police Department patrols. The Police Department's Intelligence Unit will be involved more, as well, monitoring social media accounts more frequently, to be aware of any planned illegal activity. Barriers will also be set up at Cecil B. Moore and Park avenues to prevent drag racing. There will also be more surveillance cameras installed in key areas.
University officials also emphasized the use of its Walking Escort Program and on-demand shuttle service.
Temple student government president Brad Smutek says these are positive steps, because safety is a major concern for students and their families.
"I know that my parents have worried in the past about crime around campus. I am an RA, and this is a question we get from prospective parents all the time — that they love Temple's campus but they're scared to send them here," Smutek said.
He says there aren't any easy answers.
"Students, when they agree to come to Temple, they become part of the community. And part of being a member of this community means that you stay engaged with these issues, that you don’t shy away from them and don’t live in fear."
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Smutek expressed a need for a balance between students feeling safe and feeling like they are being overpoliced.
"You know, they don't want you to be able to walk without seeing a police officer. The view of Charles Leone, our public safety director — a view I support — is Temple should not become a police state. But we need to really look at where the best use of our resources are."
The new safety measures follow the shooting death of 18-year-old Ahmir Jones. He and his girlfriend were robbed at 17th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue early Tuesday morning. Police said one of the robbers shot Jones, who later died in the hospital. Jones was not a Temple student.
There was also a string of incidents in recent months where officials say a man touched several women inappropriately near campus.