DPS News

July 2022 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Summer has sure flown by. While the weeks are busy preparing for everyone’s return, I have been able to spend some time on the weekends getting to know Central New York. There are so many beautiful places to visit that are close by!

We are looking forward to everyone returning in just a few short weeks. I have several important topics I would like to address with you this month in our update, including the following:

· Leadership Changes

· Community Police Academy

· New Safety App

· Student of Color Advisory Committee

· Monthly Bias Update

Leadership Changes

As announced late last week, our team here at Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services will transition from being part of the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services to part of the Division of the Student Experience. I have sincerely enjoyed working with Gwenn Judge, interim senior vice president and chief financial officer, and am looking forward to collaborating with Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer, to allow for even more student-focused engagement and collaboration with Student Experience partners.

Community Police Academy

I am very pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our very first Community Police Academy. This is a free four-week program designed to give eligible students, faculty and staff an idea of what it’s like to protect and serve our campus community. For the Fall 2022 semester, the classes will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Lyman Hall, Room 020 on the following dates:

· Wednesday, Oct. 5

· Wednesday, Oct. 12

· Wednesday, Oct. 19

· Wednesday, Oct. 26

To learn more and apply, visit our website.

New Safety App

Just in time for the start of the Fall 2022 semester, we will be launching a new safety app for our campus community designed to improve your safety and keep you informed. Orange Safe is our latest safety app, which offers many of the same safety features that our community is used to but also has several new and exciting features that we are looking forward to sharing more information on soon. We are hoping to have the app available in the app store later this month. Stay tuned for more information.

Student of Color Advisory Committee

It is not too late to submit your nomination for the Student of Color Advisory Committee. This committee, which brings together students, Department of Public Safety (DPS) members and other campus community members to focus on public safety and quality-of-life matters, will provide feedback on safety and DPS intervention, among other topics. Nominations should be sent to nomination@syr.edu with a statement detailing the student’s interest in the committee and why the student would be a valuable member of the group. We ask that nominations are submitted by Friday, Sept. 2.

Monthly Bias Update

July 14: Report of two incidents, reportedly similar in nature, occurred on Saturday, July 9, and Monday, July 11, on Euclid Avenue—one on the sidewalk near Shaw Hall and the other on the sidewalk on Euclid Avenue near the guard shack. In both incidents, those impacted reported being called a racial slur as they were walking by a group of individuals.

Update: Our team conducted interviews with the reporting party and individuals in the area, and performed an extensive review of the available camera footage. We continue to look for additional leads and urge anyone with information to come forward.

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.

I look forward to seeing you all later this month.

Sincerely,

Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety

Syracuse University Announces Changes to Public Safety, Title IX to Better Serve Students, Faculty and Staff

Syracuse University today announced changes to its public safety and Title IX reporting lines to enhance collaboration and ensure students, faculty and staff continue to feel safe, supported and respected while on campus, and during investigations.

“The University is constantly evaluating how we can improve the experience for every member of our community, including as it relates to their safety and well-being,” says Allen Groves, senior vice president and chief student experience officer. “Based on feedback from students, faculty and staff, the University is better aligning its services and resources, strengthening its support of our community and working to streamline Title IX processes.”

To read more, visit news.syr.edu.

Public Safety Update: Burglary

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at approximately 3:45 a.m., the Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a report that a door alarm was going off at Haven Hall, located at 400 Comstock Avenue, indicating a door had been improperly held open. There are no residents living in Haven Hall this summer as it is currently under construction. Upon arrival, officers observed two individuals inside the building trespassing. It appeared that the suspects were trying to steal construction materials. The officers confronted the individuals, who following a brief chase, made off on foot.

The suspects are described as two males, 40 years of age, and having a thin build. One suspect was wearing camo pants, navy long sleeve shirt, and a yellow construction vest. The other was wearing a black shirt and pants, red sneakers, and a straw hat.

If you were in the vicinity at the time and witnessed the incident, please contact the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5222 or the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

If you or someone you know has been affected by an incident on or near campus, please know that there are resources available to you. In addition, for your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Public Safety Notice: General Incident

On Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 at approximately 03:45 a.m., DPS officers responded to Haven Hall, located at 400 Comstock Avenue, regarding a door held open alarm. The Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Safety are on the scene and investigating this incident. Two suspects were caught inside the building and are currently at large. One suspect is a male wearing a yellow and green construction uniform and hard hat and the second being a male wearing a black shirt, black pants, and a straw hat. We ask that you stay away from the area, at this time and that you call DPS at 315.443.2224, should you have information regarding this incident. More information to follow.

Public Safety Informational Notice: Bicycle Larcenies

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has received several reports of stolen bicycles on campus over the last 24 hours. Most of the stolen bicycles were reportedly secured to a bicycle rack with a cable lock, which can be cut easily and discreetly.

DPS recommends using a U-bolt type of lock to better secure your bicycle and deter theft. These locks are available at the Syracuse University Bookstore in the Schine Student Center, as well as at most local retail stores and bicycle shops.

In addition, please consider registering your bicycle with DPS. To do that, complete this form to set up an appointment with an officer. A registration number will be affixed to your bicycle, and that information will be kept on record.

If you see anything suspicious, please call DPS immediately at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian app.