After multiple TU Alerts this semester, students are concerned about their safety at Temple.
“Our officers are very engaged. They’re out on patrol. They’re focusing on, you know, challenges and issues that we may have,” Interim Vice President for Public Safety & Chief of Police Denise Wilhelm says.
Chief Wilhelm says the park and walk initiative has made a difference in crime at Temple. The initiative has officers park somewhere on campus, and walk around the area.
“It really is to get them out walking in the community, talking to the neighbors, talking to the business establishments and be visible and approachable,” Wilhelm says.
According to the 2026 security and fire safety report, 24 clery crimes were reported in 2024. That number went up to 59 in 2025. Wilhelm says TUPD is working to bring those numbers down.
Officer Lawrence Besa says the park and walks have played a part in making the campus feel safer.
“We don’t just ride around in the car and fight crime. Get out of the car and engage a community,” Besa said.
If you feel like there’s been more TUAlerts than usual- you’d be right. TUPD has said they’re increasing communication on incidents around campus.
Wilhelm explains, “we’ve become more communicative, this year and giving you more content to the alert. So it may feel that there’s a little more, because now you’re getting the alert, and then you’re also getting in the email from the chief of police in the department to get a little more content on the incident.”
In the same report, overall, non-clery crimes have decreased from 370 to 353 from 2024 to 2025, .
“I really think that, you know, we take it personal. We don’t laugh it off,” Officer Besa said.
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