PHILADELPHIA - Temple University's director of public safety resigned Thursday amid a surge of violence near campus and a staffing shortage on the university's police force.Director Charles Leone will officially step down on Apr.
29 after spending more than 40 years at Temple, the school said. The resignation comes days after Temple's police union reported that it's facing a staffing crisis that has impacted campus safety.
University officials announced a number of safety enhancements in response to a spate of recent shootings. "For Temple’s part, we are considering all options to protect the safety of our students, faculty, staff and neighbors in North Philadelphia," Temple University Chief Operating Officer Ken Kaiser said. "We have to be willing to continually think outside the box, and that is what we have done here with this grant program."In a statement posted to Temple's website, the university said the Temple Police Department will increase patrols.
They've also started discussions about a neighborhood watch program. Landlords can apply for a $2,500 grant that can be used for installing either lighting and/or cameras to improve security.