To the Temple community:

Safety in Philadelphia and across our campuses is a crucial concern for everyone. We are here today with information about last night’s incident and to provide reminders on how we can help keep each other safe.

At 8:47 p.m. yesterday, a call came in to the Philadelphia Police Department dispatch center regarding a shooting that injured an 8-year-old girl near 1500 N. 13th St. At almost the same time, our Temple University Communications Center received a Code Blue phone activation in the area of 13th and Oxford streets reporting the same incident.

Within two minutes of the first call, Temple Campus Safety and the Philadelphia police arrived to assist the victim and secure witnesses and evidence. Philadelphia police immediately took the victim to Temple University Hospital. Then, at 9:14 p.m., our university safety officers received a call of damages at our 1300 Residence Hall and found a broken window and a bullet fragment inside a room in the building. Thankfully, none of our students were in the room.

Campus police remained present in the area throughout the night. Thankfully, the victim’s injury was not life-threatening. We also want to thank the bystanders who quickly reacted and immediately called 911 and activated the Code Blue phones. We are immensely grateful for the quick response and efforts of our Temple officers, communications staff and the Philadelphia police. 

We cannot accept these crimes as the norm and will work diligently with the Philadelphia PD Shooting Investigation Unit to track all leads. We request that anyone who saw or heard anything, even if unsure whether it will be helpful, call Temple police at 215-204-1234. 

This community’s safety is our number one priority. That cannot be overstated. We understand and acknowledge the seriousness of this incident and know there is no making sense of the gun violence epidemic plaguing cities and towns across the United States. We must work together to find solutions.  

We invite everyone in the Temple and Philadelphia communities to join the Temple University Police Association for the “Stop the Violence” Peace Walk they are hosting this Sunday, Sept. 25, at 11:30 a.m.

We also are encouraging the Temple community to heighten its awareness and to utilize our many Campus Safety resources, including the following. 

• Walking escorts—security officers on bicycles accompany students who are walking—can be provided by calling 8-WALK (9255) on a campus phone or 215-777-WALK (9255) from a cell phone. Walking escorts are available from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week. 
• Flight is Temple University’s nighttime fixed-route shuttle loop service. Flight-branded shuttles circulate throughout the areas within and surrounding the Main Campus patrol zone, and pick up and drop off students at each of its over 40 stops.
• The Temple Guardian is a one-touch personal safety app that allows you to request a virtual safety walk, chat with Temple University police, and call Temple University police and 911.
• TUalerts are used to communicate information about something occurring that requires immediate action on the part of the campus community, and are usually sent because of an imminent public safety danger. Instructions on how to sign up are available here.
• Code Blue Emergency phones are located strategically around campus, so you can contact the police if you need them.
• Be aware of your surroundings while walking. If possible, travel with friends and walk in well-lit, regularly traveled streets or pathways. Look around to be sure you are not being followed. If you think someone is following you, cross the street. If you are being pursued, do anything that might summon assistance.
• Do not hesitate to call 911 or Temple police at 215-204-1234 (1-1234 from a campus phone) if you have concerns about your safety at any time. 

Additionally, former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and 21CP Solutions are assessing Campus Safety Services to make recommendations that strengthen public safety, policing and community well-being. All are welcome to provide confidential input by emailing 21CP directly at voicesoftemple@21cpsolutions.com.  

We encourage any student on campus who may experience difficulty to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services, located at 1700 N. Broad St. For more information on services and hours of operation, call 215-204-7276 or connect at the Tuttleman Counseling Services website. 

Thank you for your time and I look forward to working with all of you. 

Sincerely,

Jennifer D. Griffin 
Vice President for Public Safety