Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News
Guard exposes self to student
AlliedBarton officer fired; victim will not press charges
Katie Karas
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.
- Staff reporter Julie Cohn contributed reporting to this article.
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.
- Staff reporter Julie Cohn contributed reporting to this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Staff
posted 11/14/07 @ 11:22 AM EST
Allied Barton management has been a part of the DPS for at least 12 years and this service comes under Maureen Rush and her Director of Security. Rush keeps trying to make it sound like AB falls under someone else and that she is not responsible. (Continued…)
FD865BE3-4193-4E13-8E42-083A0D2CA20A
Stumpy Wang
posted 11/14/07 @ 11:42 AM EST
Who is Elyse Monti and why does she get to give the closing quote to two stories in one day? Is she the designated "College senior"?
parent
posted 11/14/07 @ 1:19 PM EST
A high turnover, low-wage, no benefits job can only attract more questionable people. If they are only outsourced staff, why is "Penn Security" on their uniforms? A lie to make people feel safe? I am sure all the money they save on this sham will pay for more management expertise. (Continued…)
concerned grad student
posted 11/14/07 @ 1:26 PM EST
The high rate of turnover for these positions ensures that the proper steps to train and screen Allied employees will not always be taken. This is the same reason guards positioned on block corners can be seen sleeping against light poles and even hanging out in Apartment foyers on cold and rainy nights. (Continued…)
Alum
posted 11/14/07 @ 3:16 PM EST
I am impressed that this young woman is not pressing charges and she probably sees that this young man has problems. That's a very decent thing to do and speaks highly of her and Penn. (Continued…)
alumm
posted 11/14/07 @ 5:08 PM EST
If no uniforms have been stolen and he is indeed an allied guard, how will wearing/handing out ID stop this in the future? Most of those guards check in with what they're doing and so he was obviously going to get in trouble if she told. (Continued…)
Peter
posted 11/14/07 @ 11:59 PM EST
You really think Perelman is pushing this to make money? Do you know how much money that family has donated so YOU can have opportunities here? Take your head out of the sand. (Continued…)
Grad Student
posted 11/15/07 @ 12:07 AM EST
It is very bad that the girl has decided not to press charges. The guard knows where she lives, likely is mad for being fired, and may victimize further people. (Continued…)
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