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Public Safety escort service gets new number 1:06 p.m., Sept. 1, 2006--The University of Delaware's Department of Public Safety escort service has a new phone number: (302) 831-6666. The free program provides an escort for students, faculty and visitors walking to any location on campus. The service is available during the hours of darkness every night of the week. “The Public Safety escort service is widely used by members of our University community,” James J. Flatley, UD director of public safety, said. “It is an important part of our efforts to provide a safe environment for all who study, work or visit on campus.” The new phone number for the program, which is staffed by student police aides, reflects the substantial growth in the program, Sgt. Robert Simpson, coordinator of the department's special services unit, said. “We handled approximately 13,000 escort requests during the 2005-06 academic year,” Simpson said. The previous year we handled 4,000 requests.” Besides calling (302) 831-6666, requests for escort services can be made by using one of the more than 200 blue light emergency phones located across the campus. The demand for the escort service remains steady when classes are in session, Simpson said, and “although the number of requests decreased during Winter Session 2006, two student police aides were dedicated to the escort service shift during that time.” As the 2006-07 academic year gets under way, Public Safety is busy recruiting for its Student Aide Police Program. The program, in which students work closely with UD police officers, is aimed at students who share an interest in safety for the campus community, law enforcement, and who want to get involved. “I encourage students who may be interested in working for Public Safety to fill out an application and find out about the various assignments they could handle on campus,” Flatley said. “I appreciate the work that these students do to assist the Department of Public Safety in providing this most important service to our University community.” Student police aides do a variety of tasks, including serving as dispatchers in the Public Safety communications center and patrolling the exterior areas of campus residence halls and other buildings. “The Student Police Aide program provides a unique opportunity to learn about and work with one of the largest police agencies in the state,” Simpson said. “Students interested in a career in law enforcement will find the experience particularly valuable, but students of all majors and interests are encouraged to apply.” Applicants must undergo a criminal history and reference check, and should be aware that shifts are almost entirely during late night hours, often to 2 a.m. or later. They are also required to work one shift each weekend. Interested individuals can apply online at [www.udel.edu/PublicSafety] or pick up an application in person from Public Safety at 413 Academy Street any time of the day or night. For more information, call (302) 831-4138 or e-mail [rsimpson@udel.edu]. |
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