Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We know the past several weeks have been difficult for members for our campus community as the conflict in the Middle East has unfolded. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) team continues to work to provide a safe and respectful environment on our campus.
Listed below are some brief updates from the Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services (CSEMS) team:
• Engagement Efforts
• Community Police Academy Graduates
• Preparing Residences for Break
• Fire Prevention
• Employees of the Month
• Monthly Bias Update
Engagement Efforts
Our DPS team is always looking for opportunities to connect with our campus community. Here is what our team has been up to and has planned:
DPS Game Nights: We have enjoyed being able to engage with our students through our DPS Game Nights, where we provide a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Oculus Quest for use. There is only one game night left on the schedule this semester. You can find us in the Schine Student Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media for more information @SyracuseDPS.
Reassurance Station: In partnership with Title IX and Apartment and Off-Campus Living, DPS held its “Reassurance Station” during Halloween weekend. Hundreds of students stopped by our table setup at 401 Euclid Ave., outside of Lyons Hall. Representatives from the aforementioned offices provided snacks while they reminded students of important safety tips and answered student questions. We look forward to continuing this initiative.
Crime Prevention Workshops: Crime prevention and education are important measures in reducing crime. Members of the Investigations and Crime Prevention Section provide crime prevention and general security and safety awareness presentations when requested by students, University employees and community groups.
Our team has recently held these workshops with various Syracuse University fraternities and sororities. To learn more about these workshops and request one please visit the Crime Prevention Workshop Request Form webpage.
Community Police Academy Graduates
Congratulations to our campus community members who completed our third Community Police Academy! This free four-week program, which took place throughout the month of October, is designed to give community members an idea of what it is like to be a member of the DPS team.
We are already hard at work preparing for our next iteration of the Community Police Academy slated for spring 2024. To learn more about this program and apply please visit the Community Police Academy webpage.
Preparing Residences for Break
As many of you plan to depart campus for Thanksgiving Break, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to take necessary action to protect your residences, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings. Please review our recommended safety strategies to secure your spaces.
While many members of our community will be heading elsewhere, some will remain around campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 315.443.2224 if you observe anything concerning.
Fire Prevention
Our Fire and Life Safety Services team was busy throughout October promoting safety strategies in honor of Fire Prevention Week. In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. We recommend that you take a moment to review our fire safety strategies on our website.
Employees of the Month
Scott Manchin of the Video Access Security Technology Team (VASTT) and Officers Michael Gabriell, John Romano and Jessica Zaccari have been selected as our September 2023 Employees of the Month. Congratulations on a job well done! To read about their accomplishments, please visit the Employee of the Month webpage.
Monthly Bias Update
Nov. 1: Antisemitic language was discovered on a cubicle desk on the first floor of Bird Library and reported anonymously through the Stop Bias Portal.
Update: Facilities Services removed the graffiti swiftly. DPS officers thoroughly canvassed Bird Library; no additional graffiti was discovered. DPS investigators reviewed available video footage near the affected area. If you, or anyone you know, has information about this incident, we ask that you reach out to DPS right away.
Oct. 11: Bias motivated graffiti was discovered in two areas in Day Hall. A swift investigation determined that the graffiti was present during move-in in August 2023.
Update: DPS officers met with the reporting parties to gather additional information and offer support resources and services. DPS conducted a floor-by-floor canvass of Day Hall to check for additional graffiti; no other graffiti was discovered. The graffiti was removed.
As a reminder, if we do have additional updates they will be posted on the chart on our website and 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 and Hate website.
Go Orange!
Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division