Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
It is hard to believe we are already a month into the Spring 2025 semester. If you haven’t yet, please review our communication that was sent out at the beginning of the semester, which highlighted important campus safety communications.
In today’s message, we will cover the following:
- Orange Alert Test
- Safety Strategies
- Community Police Academy
- Employee of the Month
Orange Alert Test
Last week, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducted a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System. It was a full test of the system, which included notifications sent via email, text message and voice call. The test also included the outdoor siren system on the University’s North and South campuses. If you did not get the email, text or voice call, please take the following steps:
- Log in to MySlice using your NetID and password.
- Select Student Home or Employee Home, depending on your primary affiliation with Syracuse University.
- Select the Personal Profile tile, then “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu and update your information. If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select the “Add/Update/Delete Contact Details” link.
Please note that our Orange Alert messaging will never ask you to follow a link or provide personal information. For additional information on the Orange Alert system, visit the DPS website.
Safety Strategies
Keeping Your Vehicle Safe
DPS is monitoring an increase in larcenies of items in vehicles in the east neighborhood area, particularly around the 100 and 200 blocks of Comstock Avenue. To enhance your safety and protect your personal belongings, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Park your vehicle in an area you are familiar with and that has proper lighting.
- Close and lock all vehicle windows and doors.
- Store valuable items in secure places where they are out of plain sight, such as a glove box or trunk, and bring items like your laptop computer or phone inside with you.
- Do not leave your keys in the vehicle or your vehicle running even for a few minutes.
- Immediately report all suspicious activity and behavior.
Please contact DPS at 315.443.2224 if you have any information regarding these recent crimes or if you have fallen victim to a crime.
Staying Warm and Safe During Winter Weather
At times the Syracuse area can experience strong winter weather. Whether that’s snowfall, sleet/icing or colder temps, we want to pass along some important safety strategies you can take to keep warm and remain safe during these events:
- Regularly stay informed by following the news and National Weather Service Binghamton.
- Keep a stock of non-perishable food.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothes.
- If you must go outside, walk carefully on snowy and icy sidewalks and keep dry by changing wet clothing frequently.
- Avoid traveling until conditions have improved. If you do have to travel, give yourself ample time to get to your destination, and use roadways that are heavily traveled, are cleared and have less incline.
Don’t forget, DPS is here 24/7, 365 days a year at 315.443.2224.
Community Police Academy
Want to learn what it’s like to protect and serve our campus community? Join our Community Police Academy (CPA) for a four-week program on DPS programs, policies and procedures. The comprehensive instruction includes open discussion and scenario-based role playing.
The CPA is open to current students, faculty and staff members who are at least 18 years of age. Our first class is tomorrow, Wednesday Feb. 12; if you want to join, apply today!
Employee of the Month
Emergency Communication Center Dispatcher Bailey Pattillo and Officer Thomas Bingham were selected for our December 2024 Employees of the Month. Officer George Wazen was selected as our January 2025 Employee of the Month!
Congratulations all on a job well done!
As a reminder, it is 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