Ride Along Program

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The Department of Public Safety Unveils a new "Ride Along" Program

By Lt. Vincent Thomas

The Department of Public Safety is pleased to announce a new Community service program known as the ARide Along Program.@ The Director of Public Safety, Mr. Jeff Horton, first brought this idea to light in 1999, and Lt. Vince Thomas was asked to complete research concerning how this type of program could benefit our community. ARide Along@ programs have been instrumental in the Law Enforcement field for several decades. Research shows these programs establish higher communication levels within surrounding communities, and influence local law enforcement to increase public interactions and productivity. This type of program is a new concept for College and University campuses.

Our program will give Faculty, Staff and Students an opportunity to see first hand some of the challenges Public Safety officers encounter on a daily basis. It is designed to enhance the community=s understanding of the Villanova Public Safety Department, and to assist the Department in achieving its primary goal of keeping the Villanova Community safe. This program will benefit the Villanova Community by establishing a viable form of communication, increasing the community=s knowledge of safety procedures practiced by the Public Safety Department, and exposing community members to valuable crime prevention techniques.

Participants will be required to sign a waiver form and acknowledge certain rules while participating in this program. Interested persons should contact the Department of Public Safety at 610-519-6979 to arrange an appointment, find out more about the program or be placed on our ARide Along@ list.

Rules for Ride - Along Program

1. While you are in the company of assigned Officers / Supervisor you are not a member of the Public Safety Department, you are a guest.

2. When you respond to an incident, you are not to interfere with the officers, while they are in the performance of their duty.

3. You can take notes and after a incident is cleared, the officer will explain how it was handled.

4. If the situation dictates that it is a high risk of harm, you will be asked to stay in the vehicle and you are expected to comply.

5. Do not: Bring any type of Lethal Weapon, Mace, Nightstick, etc.