To the Temple community,   

Last night, just after 9:15 p.m., Temple University’s Department of Public Safety issued a TUalert in response to a crowd of juveniles gathering near the 1400 block of N. Broad St. This was done out of an abundance of caution to encourage the Temple community to avoid the area, so police could effectively disperse the crowd.

As police closed down Broad St. and Cecil B. Moore Avenue to all vehicle traffic, a juvenile threw a brick toward Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) officers. Temple University Police Department (TUPD) officers and other officers from PPD responded immediately and several arrests were made. We are thankful that no members of either the Temple or Philadelphia Police Department were injured.

Since last semester, Temple Police have stationed a marked patrol vehicle at the corner of Broad and Cecil B. Moore during busy high volume pedestrian times. Additionally, a security officer is and has been stationed at the corner 24/7. We will continue to evaluate measures to deter unlawful behavior.

This morning, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel met with myself and other local university police chiefs to discuss policing in the city. This meeting had been scheduled for weeks and underscores the strong collaborative partnership we share. Specifically, PPD and TUPD communicate on a daily basis to share strategic and investigative information. There will be an increase in PPD police officers in and around campus.

While the PPD detectives are leading this investigation, anyone with information regarding last night’s meet-up should contact PPD or Temple Police at 215-204-1234. We also encourage all members of the Temple community to stay updated regarding the university’s available safety resources. 

Best regards,  

Jennifer D. Griffin
Vice President & Chief for Public Safety