DPS News

Safety Information for Upcoming Solar Eclipse

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Next week, on Monday, April 8, parts of Central New York, including our campus, will be in the path of the solar eclipse. While this is an exciting event that will bring many visitors to our region, I want you to be aware of the impact the eclipse can have on our community’s safety and well-being. I ask that you please review the following message carefully in preparation of the solar eclipse, which includes answers to the following questions:

  • What is a solar eclipse?
  • How can I stay safe while viewing the solar eclipse?
  • When will the solar eclipse happen?
  • What are the travel implications?
  • Where can I learn more about the solar eclipse?

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, thus blocking the sun and casting the moon’s shadow partially or totally over a small path on Earth. During a total solar eclipse, “totality” will result in the appearance of evening like darkness as the moon covers the sun.

A total solar eclipse is what will occur on April 8. Syracuse is situated very close to the eastern limit of the eclipse path, with relatively modest durations of totality.

How can I stay safe while viewing the solar eclipse?

The most important consideration for viewing a solar eclipse is eye safety. Please follow these safety reminders if you plan on observing the eclipse:

  • The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or handheld solar viewers.
  • Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit far more sunlight than is safe for our eyes.
  • Inspect your eclipse glasses before use; if scratched, punctured, torn, or otherwise damaged, discard it.
  • Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other optical device.
  • For those inside the path of totality on April 8, remove your eclipse glasses only when the moon completely covers the sun’s bright face and it suddenly gets quite dark. Experience totality, then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear, replace your solar viewer to look at the remaining partial phases.

For more information on eye safety and additional safety measures to consider, please visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) eclipse safety webpage.

When will the solar eclipse happen?

The path of the eclipse means it will reach the Central New York area after 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8. Here is the exact timing for the eclipse in Syracuse:

  • Start of partial eclipse: 2:09 p.m.
  • Start of total eclipse: 3:23:12 p.m.
  • End of total eclipse: 3:24:15 p.m.
  • End of partial eclipse: 4:34 p.m.

For those observing the eclipse in Syracuse, you can expect totality to last for approximately 1 minute and 3 seconds. Totality will occur for longer periods north of the Syracuse area. To explore the path of the eclipse and duration of totality, visit the National Eclipse website.

What are the travel implications?

The Central New York area, especially areas more north toward the middle of path, are expecting a large influx of visitors to view the eclipse. Please be mindful of the potential for increased traffic on April 8. You may need to adjust travel plans, especially if traveling before or immediately after the eclipse is over.

It is worth noting that a common issue following past solar eclipses is that many vehicles have run out of gas being stuck in heavy traffic. Be sure to have a full tank of gas for your vehicles if you plan on traveling during or after the eclipse and have a secondary route in mind to avoid the traffic altogether.

Where can I learn more about the solar eclipse?

I urge our campus community to read more about solar eclipses and follow safety guidelines provided from trusted agencies. Here are some additional resources to check out ahead of April 8:

Thank you for your attention to this message. And, 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.

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division

Campus Community Invited to Grand Opening of New DPS Substation on Mar. 29

The Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) new substation at 101 Marshall Street will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, March 29. DPS invites campus community members to stop by from noon-1 p.m. to tour the new facility, enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, and chat with DPS officials to learn more about safety strategies and available resources.

DPS will also be offering $20 food vouchers to the first 44 students who stop by the event and have the Orange Safe app downloaded.

“This new space allows DPS to enhance our coverage in an area that not only serves our campus community but also visitors and alumni,” says Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “I am looking forward to greater engagement with our campus community and welcoming students, faculty and staff to our new space on Friday.”

The hours of operation through the end of the spring semester are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The substation will have extended hours of 10 a.m.-3 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 6 p.m.-3 a.m. on Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday.

Last year, the University initiated the establishment of the substation at the corner of Marshall Street and South Crouse Avenue. With the Sheraton Hotel and 727 Crouse being converted into student housing, it was vital for DPS to increase its footprint in the area to provide a visible presence to serve the campus community.

Marshall Street is one of the highest-traffic areas surrounding campus, and in addition to the new student housing projects, there are numerous restaurants, bars and shops that bring many visitors and alumni to the area.

DPS provides round-the-clock protection to the Syracuse University campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community.

DPS Campus Peace Officer Academy Officially Underway

Nine new recruits were sworn into the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) Campus Peace Officer Academy on March 21 by Syracuse Police First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff. Collaborating with the Syracuse Police Department on the swearing-in ceremony serves as an official welcome and endorsement of the joint law enforcement efforts in the University area, and to provide these campus peace officers with the authority to enforce New York State law and local ordinances upon completion of the academy. 

The recruits sworn into this academy class are: 

  • Thomas Bingham 
  • Kit Diana 
  • Donovan Green 
  • Keyatta Green 
  • Teng Kiir 
  • Sean McCaffery 
  • Delana Thomas 
  • Barrington Wallace 
  • Liam Welling 

The nine individuals listed above are training to become Syracuse University campus peace officers. One additional recruit, Jay Kreis, is joining this peace officer academy and will be heading to Onondaga Community College upon completion. 

“We are excited to welcome this group of recruits and work with them over the next several months,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. This is now the eighth time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy. 

During the academy, these recruits will be subject to technical, physical, classroom and field-based tests. Upon successful completion of the academy, graduates progress to field training with their respective field training officers for an additional 12 to 14 weeks. 

Craig Stone, associate vice president and chief of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the friends and families of the recruits. “We are excited to welcome new members to our team and all of them have prior customer service experience. They will assist us in keeping the campus community safe and increasing community engagement with our students as we strive to obtain advanced CALEA accreditation,” he said. 

The University’s Department of Public Safety provides round-the-clock protection to the Syracuse University campus. Through various patrol and crime prevention efforts, DPS partners with students, faculty, and staff to identify, recognize and eliminate crime hazards and risks within the campus community. 

Community Police Academy Graduates Largest Ever Class

On March 6, 33 members of the campus community graduated from the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Community Police Academy (CPA). The 33 graduates are nearly double the 17 that graduated from the Fall 2023 CPA.

The CPA is a free four-week program designed to give students, faculty and staff an idea of what it is like to protect and serve the campus community. During their time in the program, participants learned from guest presenters, including certified instructors from DPS, Syracuse Police and Syracuse University Ambulance.

The CPA wrapped up with a ceremony where the graduates were presented with CPA graduation certificate from Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “The CPA is vital in our efforts to engage with and build trust with our campus community,” says Stone. “We nearly doubled the number of graduates from our previous CPA. It is a testament to the hard work of our instructors for developing, obtaining feedback from graduates, and improving a program that continues to gain momentum within our community.”

Officer George Wazen, coordinator of the CPA, is thankful the campus community has embraced the program with such enthusiasm.

“To see the excitement around the CPA continue to grow each semester is inspiring for us as instructors. To have this forum to host members of our community and learn from each other is invaluable to us at DPS,” says Wazen. Finding ways to innovate and have an interactive curriculum is paramount. “Thanks to feedback from our graduates we are already evaluating how to evolve the program in the future,” he says.

Dates for the next CPA during the Fall 2024 semester are in the process of being finalized. To learn more about the program, visit dps.syr.edu and follow DPS on social media (@syracusedps) for updates.

Public Safety Informational Notice: Preparing Residences for Spring Break

As spring break approaches many of you will depart our campus during the next couple of days. The Department of Public Safety is reminding the University community to take the necessary steps to protect your residences and belongings before you leave.

For those of you who live 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 appear 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 all safe travels and a restful spring break.