Temple University’s Department of Public Safety, Student Affairs and Temple Student Government partnered together to deliver winter safety tips and blankets to our North Philadelphia neighbors.
Multiple Temple University organizations came together to deliver blankets and winter safety tips to dozens of residents.
Photo by Matt Petrillo
As the Temple community experienced more than a week straight of below freezing temperatures, Temple University’s Department of Public Safety, Temple Student Government and Student Affairs joined forces to take action and support our North Philadelphia neighbors.
Walking door-to-door in Yorktown, Temple police officers and students came together to distribute blankets and flyers with winter safety tips to more than 60 homes, including to the doorstep of longtime resident Anne Chamberlain.
“I’ve been working in my house today. I’m wearing gloves inside because it’s so cold. So this blanket is much appreciated,” Chamberlain said. “We so welcome Temple University being involved in the community!”
The flyers distributed during the outreach included reminders to dress in layers, keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, to check on neighbors and more.
Temple University Police Captain Enoch McCoy said the outreach is meant to help neighbors stay safer during the cold stretch.
“When it stays this bitterly cold for this long, small steps like having an extra blanket or knowing the signs of hypothermia can make a real difference,” said McCoy. “We want our neighbors to have the information and resources they need to stay safer.”
Local weather reports indicated the nine-day stretch of sub-freezing weather was the longest in decades.
Amber French, director of public safety for Temple Student Government, said the distribution came about after meeting with Temple Police during a cold afternoon.
“By giving our neighbors these blankets, hopefully we made their day a little warmer,” French said.
Leaders from Temple Student Affairs were also eager to get involved.
Annette Ditolvo, assistant director of Essential Needs, added that, “It’s important to check on our North Philly neighbors, because we’re all a part of the same community. We all share North Philadelphia and call it home.”
“It’s a blessing, a blessing to our community,” said Beverly White, a longtime neighbor. “It means a lot to go out of your way to do this.”
Temple Police Officer Peter Cooper said giving back to the community is one reason he went into law enforcement. “It gives me a sense of purpose every single day and it shows the community that we’re here to do more than protect them but to also uplift them,” Cooper said.
“Temple University is a force for positive change in North Philadelphia, and this event is an example of that,” said Temple Police Officer Arashdeep Bawa.
Jennifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety, said she hopes the blankets remind neighbors that the Temple community cares about them.
“Temple Public Safety is here for everyone,” Griffin said. “Whether you’re our students or our neighbors, safety doesn’t stop at the edge of campus, and neither does our commitment to improving our shared North Philadelphia community. The soft blankets are just one representation of love and kindness from the Temple police officers, students and staff to our North Philadelphia community.”
