UPennAlert

Large Demonstration

Update: Large demonstration currently located on the grass area on 32nd Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. Increased police activity in the area. Police on scene, use caution, avoid the immediate area.

Update: Crowd is heading south on 33rd Street, approaching Chestnut Street.

Update: Crowd is currently stationary at 33rd and Market Streets.

UPennAlert: Large demonstration in the area of 30th and Market Streets. The group is continuing to travel west on Market Street.

Increased police activity in the area. Police on scene, use caution, avoid the immediate area.

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Know that it is never the fault of the person impacted (victim/survivor) by crime. Please call 215-573-3333 in any emergency.

The Division of Public Safety has developed a few helpful risk reduction strategies outlined below.

  • Stay out of immediate area.
  • Stay alert and reduce distractions; using cellphones, ear buds, etc. may limit your awareness.
  • Orient yourself to your surroundings. (Identify your location, nearby exits, etc.)
  • Utilize 24/7/365 Walking Escort services (215-898-WALK/9255).
  • Only carry necessary documents.
  • Keep your valuables out of sight.
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The Division of Public Safety will continue to ensure the highest level of safety and security for our community.

Emergencies 215-573-3333 / 511 (campus phone)
General Information 215-898-7297
Special Services 215-898-4481 (215-898-6600 off-hours)
HELP Line 215-898-HELP (4357)
DPS Headquarters 4040 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Update UPennAlert Info PennGuardian Registration
Walking Escort 215-898-WALK (9255)
Penn Transit Ride 215-898-RIDE (7433)
05/30/2012

Commercial Loading Zones Create Safer Streets

Newly created commercial loading zones help create safer streets for bikes and pedestrians on Penn’s campus. 
As part of the University’s Green Campus Partnership, Penn is committed to encouraging the use of sustainable transportation options such as biking, walking and public transit. To that end, the Division of Public Safety (DPS), Business Services, Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) and Government & Community Affairs worked together on making some key changes to street parking regulations along Walnut Street, 40th Street and Spruce Street. 
Public Safety observed that delivery vehicles, as well transit vehicles, were occasionally double parking and blocking bike lanes in order to make deliveries or pickup/drop off passengers. This was leading to unsafe conditions for the growing number of cyclists using the bike lanes installed along Walnut Street and Spruce Street. In addition, Penn Transit passengers were crossing the bike lane and parked cars to get on or off the East and West bus and shuttle routes. 
The solution was to create safe, curb-side loading zones to allow deliveries to be made and passengers picked-up/dropped off without having to block or cross the bike lane. A coalition of interested parties at Penn was formed to determine the needs and concerns around this issue. The Penn Police Department and Government & Community Affairs started discussions with the City of Philadelphia Streets Department and the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) to explore developing commercial loading zones and designated bus parking for the Penn Transit vehicles. 
The city and PPA were receptive and supportive of the loading zone concept and agreed to make the following changes: 
1) There are now designated bus stop/loading zones at Penn Transit stops along Walnut, 40th and Spruce Streets including 3401 Walnut, the Bookstore, Pottruck, Schattner, Rosenthal, the Quad, and Gates Pavilion at HUP. 
2) Bus Stops are in effect from 5 pm to 3 am, 7 days a week 
3) 30 minute loading zones are in effect from 6 am to 4pm, Monday-Sunday at 3401 Walnut, 3601 Walnut and 3901 Walnut Streets. 
4) During the time periods specified above, parking will not be allowed in these zones and violators will be issued City of Philadelphia traffic tickets. Parking is allowed at all other times and days. 
Penn’s Public Safety, along with PPA, will be enforcing these new parking regulations in order to ensure the safety of cyclists and transit riders. 
An alternative to parking a vehicle on the city street is to park in a University parking garage or lot. Penn Parking has several off street parking facilities that can be used for daily or hourly parking (Garages at 34th & Chestnut, 38th & Walnut, 40th and Walnut and Convention Avenue near South Street). Plus a number of campus lots (34th & Chestnut, 38th & Sansom and 31st & Chestnut) offer paid parking after 4 pm during the week and all day on weekends. Parking at Penn is always cheaper than a parking ticket. 
Plus Penn’s parking facilities are patrolled by Penn Police and monitored by Parking personnel to keep you and your vehicle safe and secure.

Newly created commercial loading zones help create safer streets for bikes and pedestrians on Penn’s campus. 

As part of the University’s Green Campus Partnership, Penn is committed to encouraging the use of sustainable transportation options such as biking, walking and public transit. To that end, the Division of Public Safety (DPS), Business Services, Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) and Government & Community Affairs worked together on making some key changes to street parking regulations along Walnut Street, 40th Street and Spruce Street. 

Public Safety observed that delivery vehicles, as well transit vehicles, were occasionally double parking and blocking bike lanes in order to make deliveries or pickup/drop off passengers. This was leading to unsafe conditions for the growing number of cyclists using the bike lanes installed along Walnut Street and Spruce Street. In addition, Penn Transit passengers were crossing the bike lane and parked cars to get on or off the East and West bus and shuttle routes. 

The solution was to create safe, curb-side loading zones to allow deliveries to be made and passengers picked-up/dropped off without having to block or cross the bike lane. A coalition of interested parties at Penn was formed to determine the needs and concerns around this issue. The Penn Police Department and Government & Community Affairs started discussions with the City of Philadelphia Streets Department and the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) to explore developing commercial loading zones and designated bus parking for the Penn Transit vehicles. 

The city and PPA were receptive and supportive of the loading zone concept and agreed to make the following changes: 

1) There are now designated bus stop/loading zones at Penn Transit stops along Walnut, 40th and Spruce Streets including 3401 Walnut, the Bookstore, Pottruck, Schattner, Rosenthal, the Quad, and Gates Pavilion at HUP. 

2) Bus Stops are in effect from 5 pm to 3 am, 7 days a week 

3) 30 minute loading zones are in effect from 6 am to 4pm, Monday-Sunday at 3401 Walnut, 3601 Walnut and 3901 Walnut Streets. 

4) During the time periods specified above, parking will not be allowed in these zones and violators will be issued City of Philadelphia traffic tickets. Parking is allowed at all other times and days. 

Penn’s Public Safety, along with PPA, will be enforcing these new parking regulations in order to ensure the safety of cyclists and transit riders. 

An alternative to parking a vehicle on the city street is to park in a University parking garage or lot. Penn Parking has several off street parking facilities that can be used for daily or hourly parking (Garages at 34th & Chestnut, 38th & Walnut, 40th and Walnut and Convention Avenue near South Street). Plus a number of campus lots (34th & Chestnut, 38th & Sansom and 31st & Chestnut) offer paid parking after 4 pm during the week and all day on weekends. Parking at Penn is always cheaper than a parking ticket. 

Plus Penn’s parking facilities are patrolled by Penn Police and monitored by Parking personnel to keep you and your vehicle safe and secure.

 

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