Security officer exposes self to student www.privateofficer.com
Security officer exposes self to student www.privateofficer.com
Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 15, 2007
An AlliedBarton security guard exposed himself to a female student after he escorted her home Monday night, Division of Public Safety officials said yesterday.The guard offered to escort the student from 38th and Sansom streets to her house, near 41st and Locust streets, at about 9:00 p.m. They arrived at her door, and he said something to get the student’s attention. When she turned around, he had exposed himself.The security guard, 21, was arrested shortly after the incident was reported and has permanently been removed from campus. He did not have a criminal record, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said.The guard’s name has not been released because the victim has chosen not to press charges, Philadelphia Police officials said.
An e-mail that circulated through several Penn listservs last night suggested that the man may have been an imposter wearing a stolen AlliedBarton uniform, but Rush and AlliedBarton officials said that the offender was in fact a security guard, and that no AlliedBarton uniforms have been stolen or misplaced.Rush also said that a series of programs have been immediately implemented to prevent similar incidents.
All escorts will now have to carry visible photo IDs and service cards with their names on them to give to anyone whom they escort home.In addition to these measures, Rush said the minimum age for security guards is being raised from 21 to 25 to ensure that guards are “mature enough” to handle the job.Penn has contracted its security services from AlliedBarton since 1996, and, according to spokesman Larry Rubin, the company has never had a similar experience.”It is without a doubt one of the worst moments for the Allied team,” Rush said. “They’re heartbroken.”She also had harsh words for the security guard in question.”He betrayed our trust. I am furious,” she said. “It’s really important that you take this as one example and not forget the example that all the other [security guards] have set since 1996.”Rush added that all AlliedBarton security guards go through extensive training about sexual harassment and violence against women before they are hired.
Following the incident, officials have stressed to guards once again to follow rules and regulations, Rush said.As far as long-term changes go, Rubin said AlliedBarton is completing a survey “to re-evaluate and reiterate the responsibilities and expectations of all officers working in escort assignments.”Rush also stressed that students should still feel comfortable calling an escort, especially in light of the sexual assault involving a female student Monday morning.”This is not the time to not use walking escorts because of this incident,” she said.However, most students interviewed said their views on the escort service have been swayed. College senior Elyse Monti said she would still call in for an escort if she needed one but with “much, much more caution.”Others, like Wharton senior Jessica Trief, still see the escort as a valuable resource.”I don’t think all the security guards are like that. I think it’s a one person thing, so I wouldn’t be scared to use it again,” she said.
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