Shuttle schedule shifting?

By Max Orenstein
Senior Staff Writer
February 13, 2008

La Salle expanded its shuttle service to serve the residents of York North Apartments Feb. 5 in response to a Feb. 3 incident in which gunshots were fired at La Salle students on the corner of Broad Street and Somerville Avenue.

Joseph Gauger - Gunshots were fired at La Salle students at the corner of
Broad St. and Somerville Ave.

“We thought that it was a prudent measure, given the events that transpired, to give at least a temporary shuttle stop outside of York North Apartments,” Art Grover, director of Security and Safety, said.

This decision comes on the heels of an announcement that the shuttle would not be stopping at the St. Teresa Court Apartments for an unspecified length of time due to construction on the Shoppes at La Salle in the Good Shepherd lot.

“I hope to work closely with the construction folks and to restore that stop as soon as is possible,” Grover said.

Grover went on to say that in the interim, security recommends that T.C. residents use the shuttle stop at Lot J on Penn Boulevard. He indicated that personal escort services are available, and extra security patrols are being employed. He went on to say that an Allied Barton Bicycle officer has been redeployed to focus on the area.

The shuttle service will continue to stop at the bus stop at the northwest corner of Broad and Somerville, but it will then make a left off Broad onto Somerville, making a stop at YoNo.

Grover indicated that the Broad/Somerville stop already serviced YoNo residents, and it was judged to be sufficient and safe. In recognition of the growing number of La Salle students living in YoNo, the university is investigating whether a permanent shuttle stop will be necessary there.

Following the shooting incident, President Brother Michael McGinnis called a meeting with a select group of administrators, including several of his vice presidents and Provost Dr. Richard Nigro.    

“The incident, the [new] shuttle stop and other possible measures were the fruit of things discussed at the meeting,” Grover said.   

The university has since requsted additional security coverage from Albert Einstein Medical Center’s security, Captain Mark Everett of the Northwest Detective Division and Captain John McCloskey of the Philadelphia Police, 35th District.   

According to Grover, all parties have been cooperative.   

Indicating that security received one phone call from a concerned parent of a La Salle student after the incident, Grover went on to note that the parent was “very supportive of the way security has handled things.”

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Sophomore nursing major Melissa McKinney, a YoNo resident, has enjoyed the safety and convenience of the new shuttle stop. 

“I never wanted to take the shuttle before only because it was across Broad,” she said. “But its nice having it come directly outside now.”

Senior communication major Joe Scibetta, a resident of TC, indicated he understands the need for a shuttle stop in front of Yono, but wishes the TC stop would be continued. 

“I think that La Salle could do a little better to accommodate everyone,” he said. 

orensteinm1@lasalle.edu