Shortly after 1 p.m., the Women’s Building was evacuated due to a suspicious odor. Fire and Life Safety Services and the Syracuse Fire Department responded to the scene to assess the source of the problem. Upon completing their inspection, it was determined the odor came from an air handling unit. After isolating the source ventilating the space, Syracuse Fire Department reopened the building, and it has resumed standard operations.
DPS News
Public Safety Informational Notice
On Sunday, Oct. 6, just before 2 a.m., officers from the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), responded to 938 Ackerman Ave. for a reported fight. When officers arrived, the fight dispersed and several people, including those believed to be the suspects, fled the scene eastbound away from campus on foot. Two students sustained lacerations, believed to be caused by an unknown weapon, that required stitches and are being treated at a local hospital.
The suspects are described as males wearing black ski masks and black clothing. SPD, the primary investigating agency, asks that 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 or the Orange Safe app.
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 Informational Notice: Keeping Your Property Safe
With the semester in full swing, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) asks that you take a few minutes to review some important reminders about how to keep your property safe from theft.
Keep your bicycle and scooter safe
There have been several reports of stolen bikes and scooters on campus since the start of the school year. Please note the following best practices for locking your bicycle or scooter:
Secure Locations: Lock your bike or scooter in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
Proper Fit: Use a sturdy lock and ensure the lock fits snugly around the frame and wheel.
Avoid Obstructions: Avoid locking your bike or scooter near obstacles that could make it easier for thieves to access.
DPS always recommends using a U-bolt type of lock to better secure your bicycle/scooter 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, and online retailers.
In addition, please consider registering your bicycle and/or scooter 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.
Don’t lose your packages
There has also been an uptick in package thefts on South Campus in recent days. Please note the following important steps you can take to protect your packages from theft:
Protect your packages!
• When ordering from Amazon, consider the option of having the package delivered to a secure Amazon hub instead of your doorstep, especially if it’s a particularly valuable item.
• For packages being delivered via UPS, FedEx or USPS, consider requiring a signature for delivery or arranging to pick the package up from a UPS, FedEx or USPS location.
• Do not have packages delivered to your residence hall, apartment, or home while you are away for an extended period. If you can, schedule the package to be delivered at a day and time when you know you will be home.
• Sign up for the carrier’s text message notifications so you know when a package has been delivered. Retrieve it promptly or ask a roommate to grab it if they will be home when it’s delivered.
• Do not prop open doors, and do not hold secure doors open for strangers. Politely ask them to use their key instead.
• Report suspicious activity to DPS immediately. If you witness a package theft in progress, call DPS and be prepared to provide a description of the person involved if you can.
If you see anything suspicious or to report a crime, please call DPS at 315.443.2224, by dialing #78 (#SU) from your cell phone, or dialing 711 from a campus landline. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool or the Orange Safe app.
The DPS office on Main Campus is located at 005 Sims Hall, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For our DPS Substation at 101 Marshall Street, hours of operation can be found here. You can also speak with Public Safety employees at security desks and other locations around campus.
Unlikely Connections: How a DPS Officer and Former Men’s Basketball Player Find Common Ground
An unexpected connection was made between a current Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer and a former Syracuse University men’s basketball player thanks to a DPS detective. Detective Mike Toia brought DPS Officer Teng Kiir and former men’s basketball player John “Bol” Ajak ’22 together for a conversation in Bird Library. Sharing stories about their journeys to the United States and finding common ground, the two hit it off.
To read the full article, visit news.syr.edu.
September 2024 Updates From the Department of Public Safety
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Fall is here and we have many exciting events happening on campus in the coming weeks. All of us at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) appreciate our community’s focus on safety.
In this monthly update there are a few items I want to touch upon:
- Scam Awareness
- Community Events
- Employee of the Month
- Monthly Bias Update
Scam Awareness
Across the country, there has been an increase in scams of all kinds. DPS and Information Technology Services (ITS) want to help the Orange community be aware of scams to look out for this year, and measures our students, faculty and staff can take to avoid being a victim.
Scams to Be Aware of in 2024
- Textbook and laptop shopping scams: Be cautious when you search for cheaper alternatives online. Make certain the website you are visiting is legitimate.
- Scholarship scams: Cybercriminals are known to imitate banks, government agencies and other lenders to target students to steal their personal and financial information. Verify the opportunity by visiting the scholarship program’s website.
- Tech support scams: Fraudsters will mimic a school computer support technician and commonly say they need to install educational software and ask students to click on a pop-up window to give them access to their personal device.
- Fake job offers: Criminals pose as recruiters and reach out directly to targets, often over text message. Scammers will ask for information that is not typically required in a job application, like your bank account number and/or other sensitive information.
- Sextortion Scam Emails: The scammer will often demand payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for not releasing intimate or compromising information about you. To make their threats seem more real, they might include personal details such as your phone number, address or even the names of friends or family members. It is important to understand that bad actors often collect this information from publicly available sources without an actual breach of your accounts or devices.
Measures You Can Take to Avoid Being Scammed:
- Do online searches: Look for reviews, complaints or similar scams.
- Do NOT believe your caller ID: Scammers are able to manipulate the number reported.
- Do NOT pay upfront for a promise of future income.
- Ask questions to flush out whether the caller is legitimate (e.g., if they claim to be calling from the Internal Revenue Service or Social Security Administration, ask them to tell you your Social Security number or Visa number, or ask for a call back number you can then research).
- Hang up on robocalls.
- Do NOT deposit a check and wire money back to the individual who sent you the check.
- Never give someone your login or PIN information for any accounts and use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Additional information on how to stay safe from scams and what to do if you become a victim can be found on the FBI website.
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to DPS at dpsadmin@syr.edu or ITS at help@syr.edu.
Community Events
Halloween Safety Station
Our safety station is back and just in time for Halloween! Come see us outside of Lyons Hall, 401 Euclid Ave., on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 p.m. to midnight. We will be providing snacks and reminding students of important safety tips and answering any questions they may have. Please feel free to stop by and say hello to those stationed at the table!
DPS Game Nights
Join members of DPS for a PS5 and Oculus VR game night on the big screen in the Schine Student Center! Play against your friends or take on some of our DPS staff in your favorite games.
DPS Game Nights will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 and 19, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Coffee With a Cop Day
Coffee With a Cop Day brought new and familiar faces to Sims Hall yesterday. DPS set up outside Sims Hall and greeted students, faculty and staff with coffee, hot chocolate and tea. The event was a great way for our community to meet with members of DPS and ask any questions they might have had!
Open House at Marshall Street
The weekend of September 27 was a busy weekend across campus thanks to Family Weekend. To join in on the festivities, DPS held an Open House at our Marshall Street Substation. We welcomed the Syracuse University community, their family and friends and reminded them that our substation is a safe place to:
- report any incidents or suspicious activity;
- access important safety strategies and resources; and
- get to know the DPS staff that is on-hand to assist them.
For hours of operation, visit our website.
Employee of the Month
I am pleased to share that Officer Thomas Bingham, Officer Kara Salce and Officer Pised Yoeun have been selected as our September 2024 Employees of the Month!
Officer Bingham helped provide medical care to a non-affiliate of the University until he could be transported to the hospital. Officer Salce constantly volunteers for extra duties in the community, all while maintaining a positive attitude! Meanwhile, thanks to his self-initiated walkthrough and attention to detail, Officer Yoeun prevented a possible crime from happening on campus by removing a non-affiliate of the University.
Congratulations on a job well done!
Bias Incidents
Sept. 22: A resident advisor reported the discovery of racist graffiti that was found written on a soap dispenser in a bathroom in Watson Hall. The dispenser was replaced.
Update: DPS met with the resident assistant who discovered the racist graffiti and inspected the impacted space in Watson Hall. Due to the incident occurring in a restroom, there is no reliable video footage or direct witness accounts. We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident contact us immediately.
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 and Hate website.
Go Orange!
Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety