Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
It is hard to believe that October is already upon us. Our campus has been host to many exciting events throughout the beginning of the fall semester and I appreciate our campus community’s focus on safety.
Listed below are some brief updates from the Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services team including:
- National Coffee With a Cop Day
- Bicycle Safety and Security
- Orange Safe Giveaway
- FEMA Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
- Resources From ITS
- Employee of the Month
- Monthly Bias Update
National Coffee With a Cop Day
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 4, is National Coffee With a Cop Day. Our officers will be out in front of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices in Sims Hall from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. serving free coffee, hot chocolate, tea and cookies. We will be giving away 20 U-bolt locks (on a first-come, first-served basis) and have a bicycle, scooter and skateboard registration station set up! Stop by to engage with the DPS team and share any feedback you have.
If you can’t make this event, don’t worry! Check out our event listings or follow us on social media for information on upcoming DPS events.
Bicycle Safety and Security
There has been an increase in bicycle thefts this fall, and DPS wants to remind you of proactive steps you can take to better secure your bicycle, scooter or skateboard:
- Use a U-bolt locking device.
- Register your bicycle, scooter or skateboard with DPS through the online form.
- Do NOT leave your bicycle, scooter or skateboard unattended if it is not secured.
Our team recently apprehended a repeat offender partially responsible for the uptick in bicycle thefts, but please remain vigilant. Be on the lookout for in-person registration events by following us on social media.
Orange Safe Giveaway
We are celebrating 10,000 downloads of the Orange Safe app with a giveaway to some who have downloaded the app. To enter, visit the pinned post on our Instagram and follow the instructions in the caption for a chance to win.
If you haven’t downloaded Orange Safe yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Orange Safe is a free app that provides several tools designed to keep you safe. Users can stay connected and receive important campus notifications, communicate with campus safety and gain access to resources needed most. To learn more and download today, visit our website at dps.syr.edu.
FEMA Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on, Wednesday, Oct. 4, at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET.
This test will be directed to all consumer cell phones as well as through radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and wireline video providers. In case the test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Wednesday, Oct. 11. For more information on the test, please see the FEMA press release.
Resources From ITS
Email phishing scams, hoaxes, fake websites, spam and sundry schemes that hackers and identity thieves use to trick people into revealing bank account and credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and other confidential information is on the rise. Information Technology Services (ITS) wants to help the Orange community be aware of best practices around safe computing. Review these five tips from the ITS team to better protect yourself online.
Employee of the Month
Officer Liztazia Ramirez-Stephens has been selected as our August 2023 Employee of the Month. Officer Ramirez-Stephens is being recognized for her response and support in assisting with a serious line of duty injury suffered by a fellow DPS officer. Congratulations on a job well done!
Monthly Bias Update
Sept. 17: A resident on the 10th floor of Brewster Hall reported discovering antisemitic graffiti drawn on the whiteboard hanging on their door.
Update: Our team conducted a thorough canvass of the floor, interviewed multiple individuals and reviewed video, but we have no leads at this time. If you, or anyone you know, witnessed or has knowledge regarding this incident, we ask that you reach out to us right away.
As a reminder, if we do have additional updates they will be posted on the chart on our website and we’ll share any developments in this monthly email.
It is never too late to come forward with information on any bias incident or crime. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.
Go Orange!
Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division