Updated Aug. 28, 2024

There is so much to love about city living. There’s the limitless, mouth-watering selection of restaurants and food trucks and the vibrant array of activities from going to concerts to cheering on Philly and Temple sports teams. There are late nights, long days and something to discover around every corner. But as with any city, the exciting hustle and bustle also means you need to be mindful of your personal safety.  

And that’s where Temple’s Department of Public Safety comes in. That’s right, there is an entire department at Temple devoted to protecting our community, and they are constantly updating and improving to best serve Temple’s community. For instance, they just added license plate reading cameras around campus to help prevent car theft, made upgrades to the dispatch system and expanded their Investigations unit. 

Below are some tips for getting the most out of Temple’s many resources while on campus and in the city.  
 

TUalerts 

TUalerts are a quick way to know when situations and emergencies happen on and around campus. These text and email notifications are sent directly from Temple University’s Police Department and provide exact address information of where a situation has occurred. This is so Temple community members know to avoid that area until the situation has been cleared. These notifications also come in handy for information about inclement weather and campus closures. All temple.edu email accounts are automatically registered to receive TUalerts and all mobile numbers registered on TUportal will receive text messages unless the user opts out. To learn more about TUalerts, visit the TUalert website.  

Flight shuttle service 

Flight is Temple’s free, nighttime shuttle loop service. With more than 50 stops within the campus patrol zone, Flight takes you where you need to go from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Flight service runs seven days a week, and you’ll never have to wait more than 15 minutes for a shuttle to arrive. Plus, Flight stops are easy to locate with their flashing strobe lights. The TransLoc app enables you to track when a shuttle is approaching the nearest stop.  

Late-night walking escorts 

Had a late-night study session in the library and need to walk across campus alone? Why not have a police officer escort you? This service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. To request an escort, call 8-WALK (8-9255) from a campus phone or 215-777-9255 from your cell. Fun fact: it's called a walking escort because you'll be walking, but usually the officers will be riding bikes. 

Virtual guardians 

The TUSafe app allows you to select a member of the Department of Public Safety, family member or friend to virtually monitor your journey when you’re heading out on your own. All you need to do is set a fixed time for your departure and arrival, and then the “guardians” of your choosing will be notified when you reach your destination. If time runs out and your phone’s location doesn’t register that you’ve completed your journey, the app will send a notification out to your guardians so they may check in on you. 

The app has some added features as well, such as real-time tracking for FLIGHT, the ability to report a crime and request a walking escort. 

Blue phones 

The ubiquitous blue phones on campus can be used in emergencies to notify the police and first responders. There are approximately 90 of these phones, and they are strategically located on walkways, near on-campus student housing facilities and university buildings, and at or near parking areas on the Main, Health Sciences Center, and Ambler campuses. They work just like a phone in that they will connect you with a TUPD staff member on call. They can also be used in nonemergency situations, such as a flat tire, or if you need a walking escort. 
 
- Lindsay Hargrave