A recent incident on campus is a reminder that one phone call can change the outcome of a situation entirely.
An SU student noticed something that did not feel right: an unknown male walking through a parking area, looking into vehicle windows and checking door handles. Rather than walk past, she contacted DPS.
Making that call was not automatic, she says. “Sometimes it can be difficult to discern whether a situation is serious enough to report to law enforcement or if it’s something that’s better left ignored. What I realized, though, is that reporting suspicious behavior isn’t just about whether I personally feel threatened — it’s also about looking out for the safety of those around me.”
That perspective made the difference. “At the time, I had safety measures in place to protect myself, but someone else may not have those same protections. By reporting something that seems out of the ordinary, I could help prevent a situation from escalating and potentially protect someone else.”
Officers responded, located the individual, and identified him as a non-SU affiliate. A records check revealed he had multiple active warrants. He was taken into custody and turned over to the Syracuse Police Department.
None of that happens without her making the call.
This is exactly what “see something, say something” looks like in practice. It does not require certainty. It does not require confrontation. It requires one person deciding that something feels off and picking up the phone.
If you see suspicious activity on campus — someone looking into vehicles, testing door handles, or lingering in a parking area without an obvious reason — contact DPS immediately at 315-443-2224.
Trust your instincts. DPS will handle the rest.