DPS News

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.

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety partnered with House of Psalms 23, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women break the cycle of poverty, abuse, and incarceration.

Our Women in Law Enforcement Peer Mentor Group hosted a tabletop discussion with House of Psalms 23 to explore the intersection of campus safety and community support for domestic violence survivors. The group also organized a donation drive throughout October to support the organization and the women they serve.

Detective Jessica Zaccari, who leads the Women in Law Enforcement Peer Mentor Group, said, “”When women come together, we have an innate ability to connect and become a united force that drives change. We’re so grateful to House of Psalms 23 for opening their doors and creating space for those meaningful connections. The work they do fills vital gaps for women impacted by poverty, abuse, and incarceration. I have full confidence that the women we met will continue achieving their dreams.”

“Our ladies were truly inspired by your willingness to engage, educate, and share real conversations about the intersection of DV and policing—breaking myths, building understanding, and promoting healing through awareness,” said representatives from House of Psalms 23.

“This event shows the value of creating opportunities for authentic dialogue between law enforcement and the community,” added Detective Zaccari. “These genuine, personal conversations strengthen relationships and build trust in ways that complement our broader community engagement efforts.”

Recognize the Red Flags

Understanding the warning signs of an abusive relationship is the first step toward getting help:

• 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.

Get Help, Give Hope

If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship violence, help is available:

• Barnes Center at The Arch: 315.443.8000
• Syracuse University DPS: 315.443.2224
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233 (24/7 support)

Together, we can create a safer campus and community for everyone.

On Tuesday, October 21, the Syracuse University community gathered for Coffee with a Cop, an event hosted by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) that encouraged students, faculty, and staff to stop by for a cup of coffee and casual conversation. The event, held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. outside of Sims Hall, provided an opportunity for campus community members to meet DPS officers in a relaxed setting, where they were approachable, open to conversation, and eager to answer questions and strengthen relationships.

“Many times people just see us as a car,” John Stephens, Administrative Sergeant, said. “They do not always get the chance to realize that we are part of this community too — parents, neighbors, people who care about the same students walking these halls.”

For many officers, the event was a reminder that meaningful safety work often starts with a simple conversation. Officers greeted students, answered questions about campus safety, and shared stories about their experiences working with the Syracuse community.

“I am not just a cop — I am a father, and I care a lot about this community,” Sergeant Stephens explained. “My wife works here too, so these events help us build real connections with students.”

The goal of Coffee with a Cop is to provide a space where students can meet officers outside of emergencies, ask questions, and get to know the people behind the uniforms. The relaxed setting allows for natural conversations that help break down barriers and build trust.

“When there is a critical situation, we want students to feel that they can trust us,” Property and Evidence Custodian Officer Matthew Zingaro said. “That relationship means we can work together to solve whatever is going on.”

Officers emphasized that their work goes far beyond enforcement. Much of what they do involves supporting students in day-to-day situations, from jump-starting a car to helping someone in crisis.

“Out of all the interactions I have, arresting someone is one one-hundredth of what we do,” Sergeant Stephens said. “If someone needs help or just someone to talk to, that is what we are here for.”

As conversations continued throughout the morning, it was clear that the event helped bridge understanding between DPS and the campus community. Some students even shared their own experiences or asked about career paths in law enforcement.

“Sometimes I will just stop and talk with students,” Officer Zingaro said with a smile. “You might have something on your mind — we are here for that too. It does not always have to be serious.”

The officers also reflected on how much the department has evolved over the years, focusing more on communication, outreach, and relationship-building.

“When I first started, public safety felt different,” Officer Zingaro said. “Now, we have more outreach, more communication. It helps us understand the students better, and they understand us better too.”

As the event wrapped up, DPS officers encouraged students to continue the conversation, whether that is stopping by during future outreach events, saying hello on campus, or reaching out through the Orange Safe app.

“We are public safety,” Sergeant Stephens said. “We are a service agency. We are here 24/7. Call us if you need us — we will do whatever we can to help.”

Article written by Alexa Selter, Communications and Marketing Assistant

With Halloween festivities approaching, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) reminds students to take simple precautions that can help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable celebration. 

“Halloween is one of the most active times on campus,” says Kara Salce, a DPS sergeant, and DPS will be available to offer some safety tips. 

Read the whole article, here!