Dear members of the Temple community, 

I am pleased to share an important update to our safety initiatives. The audit conducted by former commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department Charles H. Ramsey and his firm, 21CP Solutions, is complete and their recommendations are available. These recommendations, which focus on initiatives both at the university and in partnership with our North Philadelphia community, are a next step in our long-standing commitment to ensuring that our community is safe.

In early 2022, the university enlisted Commissioner Ramsey and 21CP to complete an audit that would ultimately strengthen public safety and policing on campus. They were specifically selected due to his experience with the Philadelphia Police Department and the firm’s work at other universities. The work on 21CP recommendations is already underway, and they serve to guide how we move forward with safeguarding students, faculty and staff. As you will see, the path ahead involves both work within the university and with our community partners.

Many of 21CP’s recommendations are unique to the university and focus on the needs of the Temple community and our safety services and campus environment. They will serve as the framework for our immediate and future priorities as well as how the university continues collaborating with the city of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Police Department, state and local agencies, and community partners.

We also know, as the report makes clear, that in order to fully address violence at Temple and in North Philadelphia, we must address the social and economic inequalities that contribute to it. We are deeply committed to the well-being of everyone in our surrounding neighborhoods. Temple is in a unique position to lead collaborative, coordinated efforts—in partnership with community and city leaders—that identify what must be prioritized and then meaningfully engage in community development. Together, we will continue our efforts at Temple and in the city, as well as focus on the root causes behind violence in our area, so everyone can feel safe and thrive.

Information about the recommendations will go live at noon on the Public Safety website. This will include details about the safety audit, methodology and approach, key recommendations, and next steps. Going forward, the website will be updated with more details and progress toward our initiatives. Learn more and hear directly from Commissioner Ramsey and Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety.

We will continue to share our progress with all of you. We are grateful for the feedback and support from our students, faculty and staff. The safety and well-being of our entire community is our greatest priority, and I am confident that with this shared purpose, we will continue to make meaningful impact.

Sincerely,

JoAnne A. Epps
Acting President