Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Fall has arrived on the Syracuse University campus and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment for everyone. We encourage you to review the information below.
This monthly update includes:
- Community Engagement
- Orange Safe App Reminders
- Meet Our Investigations Team
- Domestic Violence Awareness
DPS Community Engagement
The DPS team is always looking for opportunities to connect with our campus community.
Coffee With a Cop
We changed the date to make sure all students, faculty and staff can attend our Coffee With a Cop event! As you head to class or work on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., stop by Sims Hall to meet our team.
Our tent will be set up outside Sims Hall by the College Place bus stop with:
- Coffee, hot chocolate and tea station
- Sweet treats
- A chance to chat with DPS officers
Follow us on social media to see upcoming community events, safety programs and engagement opportunities.
Orange Safe App Reminder
The Orange Safe app is a free safety tool available to all Syracuse University students, faculty and staff. It provides direct access to emergency services, campus safety resources and real-time support. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, now is the perfect time to add this essential resource to your phone.
With Orange Safe, you can connect directly to DPS with the push of a button, use the Mobile BlueLight feature to share your real-time location with our Emergency Communications Center and access the Safe Walk feature to let friends monitor your journey to your destination. The app also allows you to submit anonymous tips about suspicious activity and receive push notifications during campus emergencies—even without cellular service when connected to Wi-Fi.
Download Orange Safe today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Questions about the app? Visit dps.syr.edu.
Meet Our Investigations Team
Many may not know that DPS has a dedicated Investigations Unit comprised of a lieutenant, four detectives and a crime analyst who bring diverse professional backgrounds in municipal law enforcement, patrol leadership, victim advocacy and state agency investigations to their work serving the Syracuse University community.
The unit conducts comprehensive investigations into criminal and non-criminal matters by interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, reviewing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage and coordinating with local partners and our Student Experience division colleagues in Community Standards. The team maintains active partnerships with the Syracuse Police Department, Central New York Crime Analysis Center, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and Onondaga County Threat Assessment Management Team to enhance campus safety through intelligence sharing and case collaboration.
Beyond investigations, the unit provides security support for special campus events and works closely with the Barnes Center, Title IX, Student Living and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program managers. Investigators also provide individualized safety planning for students and families affected by major incidents, assist other law enforcement agencies with background investigations, offer fingerprinting services and participate in community crime prevention meetings with Greek Life organizations.
Unit members also help deliver Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) instruction, support the Peace Officer Academy and Community Police Academy, and lead the Women in Law Enforcement Peer Mentor Chapter, supporting professional development and community safety education across campus.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence affects many in our campus community. More than one in three college students in abusive relationships report digital abuse or stalking, including constant texts, location tracking or social media monitoring.
Recognize the Red Flags:
- Constant monitoring and control, such as demanding location sharing or account passwords
- Boundary violations and ignoring consent
- Threats to expose intimate photos or using self-harm threats to prevent you from leaving
- Isolation from friends, family or campus resources
What You Can Do:
- Trust your instincts – If something feels off, it likely is. Controlling or threatening behavior is never a sign of care.
- Protect your technology – Limit location sharing, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Document incidents – Save texts, screenshots and voicemails in a secure location.
- Reach out for support – Talk to a trusted friend, staff in Student Title IX Case Management (located at 242 Marley Education Center), the Dean of Students (located at 111 Waverly, suite 211), a Barnes Center counselor or contact DPS. You don’t have to face this alone.
If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship violence, help is available. Contact the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or DPS at 315.443.2224. For immediate assistance, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233.
On Monday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., Detective Jessica Zaccari will take part in a panel discussion exploring what it means to date, desire and navigate relationships in a digital world. You can learn more about the event, hosted by the Barnes Center, on the University Events Calendar.
We Are Here to Help
As a reminder, if you have information that may be relevant to DPS or an ongoing investigation, it is never too late to come forward. 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.
Sincerely,
Chief Mike Bunker
Department of Public Safety