DPS News

Message From Chief Craig Stone

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

Today is my first official day as a member of the Syracuse University family. I am grateful for the opportunity to be Orange and look forward to getting to know the students, faculty and staff that make up this special community.

Throughout the interview process, it was obvious that Syracuse University would not be like any of the other institutions at which I served. The spirit and energy are palpable. When I walked the Einhorn Family Walk during my last visit, not only did I encounter so many wonderful people, I also had my first interaction with Otto. Like all of you at that time, masks were still covering our faces, even Otto, but the welcoming feeling and sense of community were vibrant and visible.

As my work gets underway, I will be especially focused on engaging our community, learning about your experiences with and expectations for our Department of Public Safety (DPS), and building relationships that benefit us all. Simultaneously, I plan to continue many of the engagement efforts DPS previously put into place. This includes the monthly email with important and pertinent updates from DPS. This month we are going to highlight the following:

  • Spring Residence Reminder
  • PS5 Community Engagement Project
  • Monthly Bias Update

Spring Residence Reminder

Having moved here from Ohio, I understand that one moment we can be experiencing lake effect snow squalls, only to be quickly followed by warmth and sunshine. I have experienced multiple seasons already in just the few days I have been in Syracuse!

That being said, with the return of warmer temperatures, be advised that criminals will be more brazen in their break-in attempts, particularly as more and more folks open their windows and doors for fresh air. Some easy steps to take to keep you and your property safe include:

  • Lock your doors and windows, even if you are going to be away for just a short period of time.
  • Hide or lock up your valuables; do not leave them where criminals can easily see them.
  • Remind your roommates to take the same action.
  • Remain vigilant.

For more safety tips, visit dps.syr.edu/crime-prevention/safety-strategies.

PS5 Community Engagement Project

Last month, the Department of Public Safety held its first PlayStation 5 (PS5) game night in the Schine Student Center. I’m told it was a well-attended event that brought students and DPS officers together for an evening of fun. Given that success, DPS is going to host a few more of these game nights this semester. I am looking forward to participating at one of the upcoming events! The schedule is:

  • Wednesday, April 6, 4-8 p.m., South Campus Community Center (121 Small Rd, Apt. 8)
  • Wednesday, April 20, 4-8 p.m., Schine Student Center
  • Wednesday, May 4, 4-8 p.m., South Campus Community Center (121 Small Rd, Apt. 8)

This is just one of the fun activities DPS has planned; we welcome your suggestions on other events we can host that allow our officers and our community to get to know each other better. Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media for more information (@SyracuseDPS).

Monthly Bias Update

We have no new updates to share on the status of our investigations. If we do have updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

As a reminder, it is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call the DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool or the Rave Guardian mobile app. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

In the coming weeks, I plan to schedule a number of coffee and lunch events to get to meet more members of our community. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly to introduce yourself or schedule some time for me to chat with you or your department, organization or group.

Wishing you all the very best as we enter the final weeks of the spring semester!

Sincerely,

Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety

Public Safety Informational Notice: Off-Campus Robbery

On Monday, March 7, 2022, at approximately 9:15 p.m., a student reported being robbed at the Aspen Syracuse Apartments located at 4101 Brighton Place. The student reported that while leaving the parking garage and entering the stairwell of the apartment building, the suspect – an unknown male – displayed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled the area on foot. No injuries were reported.

The suspect is described as a male in their 20s, wearing all black, including a black mask.

Given the location, Syracuse Police Department (SPD) is the lead law enforcement agency. The Department of a Public Safety (DPS) is assisting SPD with the investigation.

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 Rave Guardian 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.

New Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services Appointed

Bringing extensive experience in public safety, campus security, community policing and emergency management to Syracuse University, Craig A. Stone has been appointed the new associate vice president and chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services. Stone most recently served as deputy director of the Department of Public Safety for the city of Columbus, Ohio. He begins his new role at Syracuse University on April 1, 2022.

The new position reports to Gwenn Judge, interim senior vice president and chief financial officer, and is responsible for Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services, including all administrative, operational and financial aspects of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Emergency Management, and Global Safety and Support.

To read the full announcement, visit news.syr.edu.

February 2022 Updates From DPS

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

We hope that everyone is having a strong start to the spring semester. This month we are going to highlight the following:

  • Preparing Your Residence for Spring Break
  • Be Alert for Phishing Scams
  • Monthly Bias Update

Preparing Your Residence for Spring Break

Spring Break is right around the corner, and we want to remind those who will be leaving campus to make sure you are properly preparing your residence before you leave. To enhance your safety and protect your personal space and belongings, we recommend taking the following steps.

On campus:

  • Secure doors and windows.
  • Close all curtains/blinds.
  • Make sure to lock your room door; if you have a roommate, make sure they are locking the room as well.
  • Do not give your keys out.
  • Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record, including serial numbers.
  • Do not leave credit cards, blank checks or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you know they are gone.

For those who live off campus:

  • Make your house look occupied; buy 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 with you (i.e., laptop computer, video game console).
  • 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.

As a reminder, if you see anything suspicious, for on campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Rave Guardian app, or, for off campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.

Be Alert for Phishing Scams

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is warning U.S. organizations to beware of a possible rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks.

Our information security colleagues within Information Technology Services (ITS) have not detected any marked increase in activity over the past week but continue to monitor for and prevent attacks. One of the most effective paths for an attacker to gain a foothold on the Syracuse University network is through phishing emails and other social engineering techniques.

Please take moment to review an alert the ITS team recently shared with the community.

Monthly Bias Update

Feb. 4: Reports of racist, threatening language directed toward the Asian community on the social media site, Discord, which markets itself as a virtual meeting and gathering space.

Update: The individual believed to be responsible for the social media posts has been identified. The case has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.

As a reminder, 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 or the Rave Guardian mobile app. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the Stop Bias website.

Sincerely,
The Department of Public Safety

Public Safety Informational Notice: Stray Bullet Discovered in Peck Hall

During a routine property check of Peck Hall, one of Syracuse University’s Community Services Officers discovered what appeared to be a stray bullet lodged in a wall on the third floor. Peck Hall is located at 601 East Genesee Street and houses Falk College’s Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Department’s Couple and Family Therapy Center and the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way of knowing when or how this bullet made its way into the Peck Hall wall. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) are working together to investigate this matter.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or others, please contact the SPD at 315.442.5222 or DPS 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.

We know this kind of discovery can be alarming to members of our community. Please know there are resources available to you. In addition, for your safety, we have complied a list of suggested​​​​​​​ safety strategies.