University of Pennsylvania Receives Top Ranking in Public Safety for Educational Facilities

PHILADELPHIA -- A survey by Security Magazine has ranked the University of Pennsylvania No. 1 for safety in the educational market. Penn was ranked sixth out of 500 businesses and organization recognized for being proactive in improving security.

"Based on the size of the Penn campus, having more than 50,000 students, employees and patients in the area daily, and being located within a major urban center, Penn has invested significantly in security and as a result finds itself atop the education market,” Security Magazine Publisher Mark McCourt said.

Penn’s 116-member police department is the largest private police department in Pennsylvania. All officers are full-time sworn municipal police officers.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized for Penn’s efforts to keep the campus and surrounding area safe for our students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Maureen Rush, Penn vice president for public safety, said. “Our wide range of security resources, the walking escort program, the new UPennAlert emergency notification system, educational and informational programs and Penn’s strong relationship with the West Philadelphia community and the City of Philadelphia help make the area safer.”

Penn has state-of-the-art electronic security systems across campus, including 83 outdoor pan-tilt-zoom closed-circuit television cameras, more than 500 stationary cameras and more than 200 emergency phones on and around campus.