March 2024 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As the semester is nearing the home stretch, I would like to thank our campus community for your continued commitment to helping our entire Department of Public Safety (DPS) team maintain a safe and secure campus. Let’s finish the semester off strong.

In today’s message, I will address the following topics:

  • Solar Eclipse Safety Information
  • DPS Survey
  • Marshall Street Substation Now Open
  • Campus Peace Officer Academy
  • Employee of the Month – February 2024
  • Monthly Bias Update

Solar Eclipse Safety Information

This afternoon, parts of Central New York, including our campus, will be in the path of the solar eclipse. While this is an exciting event, I want you to be aware of the impact the eclipse can have on our community’s safety and well-being. I ask that you please carefully review our previous communication in preparation of the solar eclipse, which includes safety information, timing of the eclipse and additional resources.

DPS Survey

As part of DPS’ mission to provide a safe and welcoming community, we hope you will share your perspectives on public and campus safety, and experiences with DPS operations and services through an online survey. Specifically, you will be answering questions related to safety and the quality of policing.

We will use the survey results to assess the University’s campus safety processes and protocols and make any necessary changes based on your feedback. The survey will be sent later today to all students, faculty and staff. Please consider participating.

Marshall Street Substation Now Open

On March 29, DPS celebrated the opening of our new substation at 101 Marshall Street. We appreciate everyone in our community who joined us.

Marshall Street is one of the highest-traffic areas surrounding campus, and in addition to the new student housing projects in the vicinity, there are numerous restaurants, bars and shops that bring many visitors and alumni to the area. We look forward to having an increased presence in the area to serve our campus community. To learn more about our new location, including hours of operation, please visit our website.

Campus Peace Officer Academy

Our latest Campus Peace Officer Academy is officially underway as nine new recruits were sworn in on March 21. It was an exciting day for our entire department as these recruits start their journey toward becoming campus peace officers.

Throughout the duration of the academy these nine recruits will be subject to technical, physical, classroom and field-based tests. Upon successful completion of the academy, the graduates will move forward to field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks. I look forward to providing updates on their progress in future messages.

Employee of the Month – February 2024 

I am pleased to announce that Officer in Charge (OIC) Eugenio Alvarez, Officer Montague Kreis and Public Safety Coordinator Miah Rafferty have been selected as our February 2024 Employees of the Month!

OIC Alvarez and Officer Kreis are being honored for their role in responding to an armed robbery where the suspect was successfully taken into custody. Public Safety Coordinator Rafferty also is being honored for her efforts in helping resolve multiple cases through extensively reviewing security footage. Congratulations to them all!

Monthly Bias Update

There are no new updates to share. As a reminder, if we do have additional updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. 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