DPS News

Important Winter Weather Information

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As Central New York begins to experience winter weather, we are writing to provide important information on how the University navigates and communicates about extreme weather conditions. Please review the enclosed information carefully.

Syracuse University generally remains open for business in inclement weather, while always prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community members. We work with Precision Weather Service to help inform our decisions about weather delays, closings or other operational changes. Academic Affairs, Campus Facilities, Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services, and the Student Experience Division are also consulted.

In the event extreme weather necessitates a change in the University’s operating status, it will be announced via the University’s emergency broadcast notification system and will carry the notice SU WEATHER ALERT. To ensure you receive these messages, please confirm your Orange Alert settings are up to date in MySlice.

SU WEATHER ALERT information will be announced via the following communications channels:

Only Syracuse University’s Division of Communications is authorized to transmit to the campus community and the news media about closings, work-schedule changes or class-start delays.

Although Syracuse University rarely closes for inclement weather, individuals must make personal decisions based on a risk assessment related to travel. We encourage all employees to take precautions and use good judgment when traveling to/from work. Faculty and staff concerned about travel conditions should contact their department chair or supervisor, respectively.

For information on winter weather preparedness, please visit the Department of Public Safety website.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Craig A. Stone
Chief, Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Public Safety Informational Notice: DPS Recovers Discarded Firearm, No Imminent Threat Towards Campus Community

On Friday, November 17, 2023, at approximately 11:13 a.m., The Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a report of a person possessing a firearm near a bus stop on Waverly Avenue. The suspect was said to have shown the weapon to a group they were with in a non-menacing manner.

Upon arrival, DPS and the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) began a search as the suspect had fled on foot toward Irving Avenue, where they were eventually detained without further incident. Once in custody, officers searched the suspect for a weapon with negative results. Officers conducted a search around the path the suspect took and quickly recovered a firearm that had been discarded into the bushes.

The suspect has been identified as a non-affiliate of Syracuse University and is currently in custody of SPD.

If you were in the vicinity at the time of this incident and have additional information to share, please contact SPD at 315.442.5222 or DPS at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

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

Public Safety Informational Notice: DPS Recovers Discarded Firearm

On Friday, November 17, 2023, at approximately 11:13 a.m., The Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to a report of a person possessing a firearm near a bus stop on Waverly Avenue. The suspect was said to have shown the weapon to a group they were with in a non-menacing manner.

Upon arrival, DPS and the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) began a search as the suspect had fled on foot toward Irving Avenue, where they were eventually detained without further incident. Once in custody, officers searched the suspect for a weapon with negative results. Officers conducted a search around the path the suspect took and quickly recovered a firearm that had been discarded into the bushes.

The suspect has been identified as a non-affiliate of Syracuse University and is currently in custody of SPD.

If you were in the vicinity at the time of this incident and have additional information to share, please contact SPD at 315.442.5222 or DPS at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

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

October 2023 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

We know the past several weeks have been difficult for members for our campus community as the conflict in the Middle East has unfolded. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) team continues to work to provide a safe and respectful environment on our campus.

Listed below are some brief updates from the Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services (CSEMS) team:

• Engagement Efforts
• Community Police Academy Graduates
• Preparing Residences for Break
• Fire Prevention
• Employees of the Month
• Monthly Bias Update

Engagement Efforts

Our DPS team is always looking for opportunities to connect with our campus community. Here is what our team has been up to and has planned:

DPS Game Nights: We have enjoyed being able to engage with our students through our DPS Game Nights, where we provide a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Oculus Quest for use. There is only one game night left on the schedule this semester. You can find us in the Schine Student Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media for more information @SyracuseDPS.

Reassurance Station: In partnership with Title IX and Apartment and Off-Campus Living, DPS held its “Reassurance Station” during Halloween weekend. Hundreds of students stopped by our table setup at 401 Euclid Ave., outside of Lyons Hall. Representatives from the aforementioned offices provided snacks while they reminded students of important safety tips and answered student questions. We look forward to continuing this initiative.

Crime Prevention Workshops: Crime prevention and education are important measures in reducing crime. Members of the Investigations and Crime Prevention Section provide crime prevention and general security and safety awareness presentations when requested by students, University employees and community groups.

Our team has recently held these workshops with various Syracuse University fraternities and sororities. To learn more about these workshops and request one please visit the Crime Prevention Workshop Request Form webpage.

Community Police Academy Graduates

Congratulations to our campus community members who completed our third Community Police Academy! This free four-week program, which took place throughout the month of October, is designed to give community members an idea of what it is like to be a member of the DPS team.

We are already hard at work preparing for our next iteration of the Community Police Academy slated for spring 2024. To learn more about this program and apply please visit the Community Police Academy webpage.

Preparing Residences for Break

As many of you plan to depart campus for Thanksgiving Break, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to take necessary action to protect your residences, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings. Please review our recommended safety strategies to secure your spaces.

While many members of our community will be heading elsewhere, some will remain around campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 315.443.2224 if you observe anything concerning.

Fire Prevention

Our Fire and Life Safety Services team was busy throughout October promoting safety strategies in honor of Fire Prevention Week. In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. We recommend that you take a moment to review our fire safety strategies on our website.

Employees of the Month

Scott Manchin of the Video Access Security Technology Team (VASTT) and Officers Michael Gabriell, John Romano and Jessica Zaccari have been selected as our September 2023 Employees of the Month. Congratulations on a job well done! To read about their accomplishments, please visit the Employee of the Month webpage.

Monthly Bias Update

Nov. 1: Antisemitic language was discovered on a cubicle desk on the first floor of Bird Library and reported anonymously through the Stop Bias Portal.

Update: Facilities Services removed the graffiti swiftly. DPS officers thoroughly canvassed Bird Library; no additional graffiti was discovered. DPS investigators reviewed available video footage near the affected area. If you, or anyone you know, has information about this incident, we ask that you reach out to DPS right away.

Oct. 11: Bias motivated graffiti was discovered in two areas in Day Hall. A swift investigation determined that the graffiti was present during move-in in August 2023.

Update: DPS officers met with the reporting parties to gather additional information and offer support resources and services. DPS conducted a floor-by-floor canvass of Day Hall to check for additional graffiti; no other graffiti was discovered. The graffiti was removed.

As a reminder, if we do have additional updates they will be posted on the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

It is never too late to come forward with information on any bias incident or crime. 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 A. Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division

Public Safety Informational Notice: Secure Your Residence Before Leaving for the Holiday

With the holiday break quickly approaching, the Department of Public Safety is reminding the University community to take necessary action to protect your residences, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings.

For those of you who live and work on campus, please take the following steps to secure your space:

• Secure doors and windows.
• Close all curtains/blinds.
• Make sure to lock your door.
• Unplug all electrical items, except refrigerators.
• Do not give your keys out.
• Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record including serial numbers.
• Do not leave credit cards, checkbooks, cash or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you know they are gone.

If you live off campus, please:

• Make your residence look occupied; consider buying a timer that automatically turns on interior and exterior lights at a predetermined time, or when there is motion.
• Be sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient.
• Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
• Take anything valuable home with you, i.e. laptop computer, video game console, jewelry, etc.
• Do not leave any valuable items near windows. Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure that you have installed tracking software and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
• Unplug all electrical items, except your refrigerator and timers.
• If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving.

​​​​​​​If you see anything suspicious, for on-campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app or for off-campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.

While many members of our community will be traveling during the break, many will remain here on campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you observe anything concerning. As always, our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.

Wishing you a safe, happy and restful holiday.