Syracuse University is steadfast in its commitment to provide a safe campus environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. We will continue to take strong measures to protect all members of our campus community. Acts of violence and intolerance of any kind, including those based on race, contradicts our values and will not be tolerated.
On Saturday, Feb. 9, our Department of Public Safety notified the campus community about a crime that occurred on Ackerman Avenue. The information provided in the public safety notice was, at the time, the most current account of the events. Because the incident occurred off campus, the City of Syracuse Police Department (SPD) is leading the investigation, which continues at this time. Our Department of Public Safety is working closely with SPD to apprehend those responsible for this crime and to prevent future occurrences. We are in frequent communication with the SPD and will provide updates to our campus community when they are available. Not all details can be released at this time because they may compromise the ongoing investigation.
When serious crimes occur on or nearby campus, we use public safety notices as a tool for communicating to our campus community, particularly if there is an active crime scene. The information in the public safety notice includes a brief and the most current description of the crime and the perpetrator as described by the victim or witnesses. Syracuse University does not identify a perpetrator’s race in these alerts in deference to previously expressed community concerns about racial profiling. We are constantly evaluating our practices and welcome input from our students, faculty and staff.