The University of Pennsylvania contracts with AlliedBarton Security Services to provide comprehensive guard services for the University of Pennsylvania and the University City District. AlliedBarton is an acknowledged leader in the contract security industry in terms of trainings, management, technology and procedures. Over 500 Allied Barton Security Officers managed under Security & Technical Services provide coverage in all residential and academic buildings as well as highly visible foot, bicycle and motorized patrol including the 898-WALK service which offers 24/7 walking escorts.

Walking Escort Services

Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, between 30th to 43rd Streets and Market Street to Baltimore Avenue.

Escorts are also available from 10:00am until 3:00am between 30th & 50th and Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue via the University’s partnership with the University District Ambassador Program.

How to Request a Walking Escort:

• Ask any Public Safety Officer on patrol or inside a building
• Call 215-898-WALK(9255) or 511 (from campus phone)
• Use one of the many building and blue-light ephones located on and off Penn's Campus.

All of these public safety officers, though unarmed, with no powers of arrest or investigation, maintain direct radio communications with our PennComm emergency dispatching center, and supplement the University of Pennsylvania Police Department, through additional patrols and walking escorts.

The public safety officers on patrol have become a vital component to the Division of Public Safety’s program for ensuring the safety and welfare of the Penn community. All officers receive extensive training prior to employment at Penn, and work seamlessly to provide the UPPD with the necessary information for preventing and deterring criminal activities, as well as assisting in the apprehension of criminals.