La Salle University announces public safety action plan

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - In response to the uptick in violence around campus over the recent months, La Salle University announced a new public safety initiative on Friday.

As part of the new plan, students will notice an increased police presence both on and off campus.

An additional Philadelphia Police Department bike patrol will rove around campus from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and a patrol car will watch "high-activity zones."

"This Public Safety Action Plan was designed to strengthen all aspects of public safety in response to what's been an unexpected and uncommon increase of criminal activity off-campus," said Dawn Soufleris.

"La Salle has traditionally been one of the safest universities in Philadelphia, but we are taking these necessary actions to ensure the safety of our students."

Police will be equipped with a map of student's off-campus residences, so they can closely monitor specific buildings.

Students living in off-campus accommodations should expect to receive a safety flyer that outlines crucial security information.

Off-campus residents will also be required to complete an extensive safety orientation program. Students who have already committed to living accommodations for the fall semester must attend the program in March or April.

La Salle Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police will work in conjunction during freshman orientation in August.

"The Philadelphia Police Department understands the concerns of the La Salle community due to this unusual increase in off-campus criminal incidents. We are fully committed to preventing further incidents from occurring and, through this intensified effort, will work collaboratively with La Salle Public Safety to ensure the safety of the community surrounding its campus," said Philadelphia Police Captain Ernest Ransom.

La Salle Public Safety will purchase an additional patrol car to monitor the outskirts of the campus, an install new motion-sensor lighting on off-campus residence buildings.