Dear University Community:
As we begin a new academic year, I want to take this opportunity to welcome our new and returning students, faculty and staff.
In this message I will share information about our Department of Public Safety (DPS) Substation on Marshall Street, offer an overview of safety strategies and resources that are available, and explain the processes and protocols that guide how we communicate about safety matters.
DPS Substation at 101 Marshall Street
Marshall Street is one of the highest-traffic areas surrounding campus, and in addition to the new student housing, there are numerous restaurants, bars and shops that bring many visitors and alumni to the area.
In March we opened our DPS Substation that is a space for our campus community, alumni and visitors to stop by for:
- A safe place to report any incidents or suspicious activity.
- Access important safety strategies and resources.
- Get to know the DPS staff that are on-site to assist you.
The hours for Fall 2024 can be viewed on our website at dps.syr.edu.
Safety Strategies
Every member of our campus community can play a role in keeping our campus safe and secure. Please review the following personal safety strategies, which I encourage you to implement while at Syracuse University:
- Download the Orange Safe mobile safety app, which you can also access and download from the “ campus safety” section of the Orange Now University app. With the Orange Safe app, users can stay connected and receive important campus notifications, communicate with campus safety staff and gain access to resources.
- Follow us on social media: @syracusedps. Our social media offers an avenue to quickly receive important emergency notifications, information on DPS events and important safety reminders.
- Check out SU Today for campuswide information and follow @syracuseunews. Syracuse University News Services is responsible for the distribution of campuswide announcements, public safety notices and other critical messages to the University community.
- Always lock your windows and doors, even if you’re only going to be away from your room, apartment or house for a short period of time or while you’re sleeping at night. Criminals look for opportunities like an open window or unlocked door, especially on ground floor levels.
- Lock your car doors and never leave property inside of your car that is visible.
- Never leave cell phones, laptops, wallets, car keys or other valuables out of your sight—it only takes a few seconds for someone to walk away with them. This includes while working out or playing sports at the Barnes Center or on outdoor fields.
- Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle or scooter and register your bike with DPS.
- Avoid walking alone after dark; always try to travel in a group whenever possible.
- Use simple steps to ensure rideshare safety. Remember SAMI: Stop, Ask, Match, Inform.
- Utilize the Safety Escort Shuttle in the Orange Safe app. The shuttle is available from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for students with a Syracuse University campus address as either its pick-up or drop-off location.
- Familiarize yourself with the University’s “Run. Hide. Fight” video. It is considered best practice in crisis response, particularly in the event of an active shooter situation.
- Be aware of who is coming into a building behind you. If it’s a card-access building, do not allow someone to “tailgate” you into the building.
- Do not share personal information in response to emails, texts or other communications you do not expect. Banks will never ask for personal or confidential information via text message or ask you to verify your identity by clicking a link. If a message asks for your PIN code, online credentials or other account information, ignore it and report it to your bank. Visit syr.edu for additional tips
- If you or someone you know has been affected by an incident on or near the Syracuse University campus, please know there are many services and resources available to you as a member of the Syracuse University community.
Communications Processes
The summary below explains how and why DPS uses emergency notification and public safety messages. This includes how, when and via what channels we issue safety communications to our campus community.
DPS Issues Broad Communications Across the Campus Community:
- When there is an active or imminent threat of physical danger to the campus community.
- When there is an active crime scene on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need community members to avoid the area.
- When a perpetrator is at large on or immediately adjacent to the campus and we need the community’s help locating the individual.
Broad Communications Will Not Be Issued:
- When initial investigation into an incident indicates there is no continuing threat.
- When another law enforcement agency has jurisdiction or is the lead investigator on an active case, and we have been directed not to issue a notice. That agency may communicate to the broader public and direct us to inform our community.
- When communicating broadly will impede or jeopardize an active investigation. (Please note: although it is our intention to communicate in a timely manner, we will always prioritize maintaining the integrity of an investigation, especially when we are following active leads.
Communicating on a Swatting Incident:
Swatting incidents have increased in prevalence in recent years and often target schools, colleges and universities, as we saw in the 2023-24 academic year. Swatting is when an anonymous caller makes an intentionally false report of the presence of an active shooter to stoke fear among the targeted communities. The following is the protocol that DPS has for responding to reported threats and how we communicate them to our community.
- When we learn of claims of an active shooter situation that lack immediate credibility (no additional calls to 911, security footage showing no abnormal behavior, etc.) our DPS officers will immediately respond to the report location where they will work swiftly to confirm the veracity of the report.
- Pease be aware that when DPS responds to these types of reports they will appear on the scene as they would in the event of a confirmed threat. For example, DPS will respond in significant numbers, and you may see multiple officers on foot and in patrol cars.
- After conducting a thorough search and confirming the absence of a threat, DPS will communicate broadly with the campus community about the incident.
Reporting a Crime or Bias Incident
Anyone with information warranting an Orange Alert or a Public Safety message is encouraged to report the incident to DPS by immediately calling 315.443.2224; toll-free 855.443.2224; 711 from a campus landline; or via the Orange Safe app.
If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool. To report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias and Hate website.
Bias Incidents
DPS maintains a Bias Incident Reports webpage, separate from the Stop Bias and Hate system managed by Community Standards, where we aggregate bias-related incidents reported directly to DPS. This page is updated and accessible to students, faculty, staff, parents and other community members. Bias-related incidents are posted to this page within 48 hours, unless posting will impede or jeopardize an active investigation. Anyone has the option to subscribe and receive bias incident reports directly via email. This protocol has been developed in partnership with the Syracuse Police Department, New York State Police, the FBI and district attorney’s office and is aligned with best practices of peer universities.
Public Safety Messages (Timely Warnings)
Public Safety messages are distributed via email and posted on the DPS website and on DPS social media accounts. There are three types of messages:
- Public Safety Notice designates a timely warning related to an ongoing concern for violence.
- Public Safety Information designates a warning related to an ongoing property crime pattern or about general safety-related information.
- Public Safety Update provides information regarding a threat that has passed or an update to a previously issued Public Safety Notice.
Public safety messages include information about the incident that triggered the warning to promote safety and enable members of the campus community to take steps to protect themselves from similar incidents. They are intended to inform the community of suspects at large or an ongoing threat to campus community members and to seek the community’s help in identifying suspects and gathering pertinent details. Follow-up information will be disseminated when appropriate and all alerts are posted online.
Emergency Notification and Response (Orange Alert)
The Orange Alert system is designed to provide rapid notification and instructions to Syracuse University students, faculty and staff, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students in the event of a verified weather emergency, serious incident or an immediate threat of serious physical harm. All DPS officers have the authority to activate the Orange Alert system if necessary.
Orange Alert utilizes email, text messaging, social media networks, the Orange Safe app and cell/landline phone calls to send a brief notice about the incident and instructions about what actions to take, including a directive to shelter in place or evacuate/avoid an area. Additionally, sirens located on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle, Whitman School of Management building, the Falk College complex and South Campus housing will sound in the event of an Orange Alert. After an Orange Alert message is broadcast, more detailed follow-up information will be provided through various means, including but not limited to the University’s website, University social media resources, email, phone and campus radio and television resources.
Updating Contact Information in MySlice
To receive Orange Alert and Public Safety communications, all students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to go to MySlice, log in using your NetID and password, select Student Home or Employee Home depending on your primary affiliation with Syracuse University, select the Personal Profile tile, select “Orange Alert Contacts” from the navigation menu, and then review your information.
If you need to add, update or delete contact information, select “Contact Details” from the navigation menu. Utilize the “Orange Alert Private Phone” feature to add a secondary/emergency contact (i.e., parent, spouse, sibling, etc.) to receive alerts.
Our team at DPS is always available to discuss our processes, protocols and how we collaborate with local, state and federal law enforcement to keep our campus community safe. Finally, remember that the Department of Public Safety is here for you 24/7 by calling 315.443.2224 or by connecting on the Orange Safe app.
I wish all of you an enriching and safe semester!
Sincerely,
Craig A. Stone
Associate Vice President and Chief
Department of Public Safety