DPS News

March 2023 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

The end of the semester is fast approaching; I hope you all had a restful spring break and are now ready for the home stretch of the 2022-23 academic year.

In today’s message, I will address the following topics:

  • Peace Officer Academy Update
  • Recent Department of Public Safety (DPS) Investments
  • DPS Game Nights
  • Employees of the Month
  • Crime Prevention Tips
  • Monthly Bias Update

Peace Officer Academy Update

Another Peace Officer Academy is officially underway. On March 9, five new recruits were sworn in by Syracuse Police First Deputy Chief Richard Shoff. It was an exciting day for our entire department as these recruits start their journey toward becoming campus peace officers. During the next several months 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. I look forward to providing updates on their progress in future messages.

Recent DPS Investments

New Signage: Keeping the campus community safe and informed is of the utmost importance. DPS recently invested in the production of new safety resource signs, which have been installed in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. In total, 94 signs were installed to replace existing signage. The main upgrades to the signage are highlighting the Orange Safe mobile safety app and the addition of a QR code that will bring users to important DPS and campus resources. Be sure to check out the new signs when you are out enjoying this warmer weather!

UTV Ready: Be on the lookout for our brand-new utility terrain vehicle (UTV) around campus soon. The UTV will significantly enhance DPS patrol operations (on- and off-road) moving forward. It will also be useful during large scale events on campus such as move-in/move-out, concerts, athletic events and Commencement. The UTV will be an integral part of our operation and increase our engagement with the campus community. I am excited to see it used in a plethora of ways!

DPS Game Nights

During this academic year, we have been holding game nights in the Schine Student Center and have enjoyed being able to engage with our students through this program, where we provide a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Oculus Quest for use. There are only a handful of game nights left on the schedule. You can find us in the Schine from 5 to 8 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, April 19
  • Wednesday, May 3

As always, 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.

Employees of the Month—March 2023

I am pleased to share that Officer Nadia Diaz, Quartermaster Joe Dishaw and Detective Mike Toia have been selected as our March 2023 Employees of the Month!

As I shared last month, Officer Diaz and Quartermaster Dishaw coach a youth basketball team within the Syracuse Police Athletic League. They worked with a group of third to fifth grade girls throughout the past couple of months. The team showed remarkable improvement each week and learned valuable teamwork and leadership skills.

Detective Toia is being honored for playing an essential role in assisting with five separate felony investigations, one burglary and four grand larceny/forgery incidents. Despite these cases falling under Syracuse Police Department jurisdiction, he took it upon himself to track down leads, review video footage, and worked with other agencies to help identify the perpetrators in these cases. Additionally, Detective Toia helped solve a case in which a student was being harassed via social media. Congratulations to our three winners!

Crime Prevention Tips

As the weather gets nicer, it is typical to see an uptick in criminal activity. Typically, most incidents reported involve no forced entry. Perpetrators usually enter through unlocked doors and windows and take advantage of what they perceive as easy targets. I’d like to remind you of some steps you can take to keep yourself and your property safe.

  • 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 tips, visit the Safety Strategies webpage.

Monthly Bias Update

March 5: A Watson Hall resident reported overhearing the use of a homophobic/anti-LGBTQ+ slur on the third floor.

Update: DPS met with the reporting party and conducted multiple interviews in Watson Hall. Additionally, DPS has reviewed available video footage and notified the Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police. We ask anyone who may have information about this incident to contact us.

March 6: A University employee reported seeing an individual walking on campus wearing a winter hat with a confederate flag.

Update: DPS was able to locate and identify the individual in question. It was determined that the individual was a non-affiliate and was subsequently told to leave campus.

March 26: A Watson Hall resident reported they heard the verbal use of a slur targeting sexual orientation.

Update: Suspect identified and case turned over to the Office of Community Standards.

March 27: A University employee reported the theft of two flags, the Haudenosaunee flag and the LGBTQ+ flag, among those flown on flag poles on the Quad outside of Hendricks Chapel.

Update: DPS is following up on multiple leads by conducting interviews and continuing to review security footage. Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police have been notified.

March 27: A student observed three individuals in a classroom in the Hall of Languages maligning marginalized communities through derogatory commentary and offensive drawings.

Update: Suspects identified and case turned over to the Office of Community Standards.

It is 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 website.

I wish you all a safe, productive and fun finish to the semester.

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety

Community Police Academy Graduates a New Class

On March 8, members of the campus community graduated from the Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) community police academy (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, participants learned from guest presenters, including certified instructors from DPS, Fire and Life Safety Services, Residential Safety Program and Syracuse University Ambulance.

The CPA culminated in a graduation ceremony where the graduates were presented with “Stop the Bleed” and CPA graduation certificates from Craig Stone, DPS chief and associate vice president. “Building trust with our campus community is something that we are constantly focused on,” says Chief Stone. “The CPA has been a successful tool in helping strengthen the bonds with our community. I am grateful to both classes of the CPA that have graduated this academic year.”

Feedback from the CPA graduates about how the program was run was encouraging to see. Anne O’Connor, student support assistant in the School of Education, believes the CPA allowed her to have a better understanding of how DPS operates. “Now I know how things flow within DPS, especially in terms of jurisdiction and who can help me in what type of situation,” says O’Connor. “It also showed how many people are really involved to ensure the welfare and safety of every person on campus.”

Officer George Wazen, coordinator of the CPA, is encouraged by the growth he has seen with the program during its first year. “We are so fortunate that our campus community is enthusiastic about this initiative. We were able to increase our number of applicants and our number of graduates from our first CPA that was run in October,” says Wazen. Continuing to improve and expand the CPA is priority number one. “Our team is already hard at work with how we can continue to evolve the program for the future.,” he says.

O’Connor believes the CPA is not just for those who have an interest in law enforcement. “Even if you don’t necessarily have an interest in the police force, this program gave a lot more insight on how to be safe, and the right steps to take in case of any emergency on or off campus,” she says.

Dates for the next CPA during the Fall 2023 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 rapidly 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.

For those of you who may be traveling for leisure or an academic experience over the break, be mindful of a few travel safety resources:

  • The Covid-19 pandemic can still disrupt travel plans. Be sure to consider where and how you will isolate should you test positive during your trip. If you are traveling internationally be sure to check local rules and guidelines. Please review traveler resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • As always, additional travel resources are available to you from our Global Safety and Support team on the student experience page.
    Even during the spring break, 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.

As always, our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.

Wishing you all safe travels and a restful spring break.

DPS Welcomes New Wave of Recruits for Campus Peace Officer Academy

Five new recruits were sworn into the Syracuse University campus peace officer academy on Thursday, March 9, by Syracuse Police 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 authority to enforce New York State law and local ordinances upon completion of the academy.

The recruits sworn into this academy class are:

  • Dre Everson
  • Montague Kreis
  • Samantha Nagen
  • Johnathon Wazen
  • Pised Yoeun

The five individuals listed above are training to become Syracuse University campus peace officers. Three additional recruits are joining this peace officer academy and will be heading to Ithaca College upon completion.

“They will be tested throughout the next several months, but through hard work and dedication, they will become a part of something special,” said Sgt. Adam Wheeler, academy director. This is now the seventh time that the Department of Public Safety has held its own peace officer academy.

During the next several months, 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 a group that wants to join our team and serve the campus community, we will support these recruits in every way we can,” 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.

February 2023 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is hard to believe the calendar has already flipped to March. It feels like it was just yesterday when all of us at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) were eagerly awaiting the return of our campus community for the spring semester.

In today’s message, I will address the following topics:

  • Community Police Academy
  • DPS Social Media
  • Threat Assessment and Management Team Information
  • Updates From CSEMS
  • Preparing Residences for Spring Break
  • Monthly Bias Update

Community Police Academy

I am pleased to share that our second Community Police Academy (CPA) is well underway with a group of 28 members. The CPA has given members of our campus community an idea of what it’s like to protect and serve at Syracuse University. We have been happy to collaborate with and welcome guests from the Syracuse Police Department, Fire and Life Safety Services, Syracuse University Ambulance and the Residential Safety Program throughout the CPA.

This past week, the group learned the basics of a traffic stop and went through scenario training using virtual reality headsets. The group convenes for its final class this Wednesday, when they will graduate from the program. If you are interested in learning more about the CPA, please visit our website.

DPS Social Media

Our DPS team is always looking for opportunities to engage with our community. I encourage you to follow us on social media to stay up to date on the exciting things we have planned. We are on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

We will be running a contest after spring break on our Instagram page (@SyracuseDPS) to kick off the home stretch of the semester. On top of that, you will be the first to know when we have upcoming events or important news to share.

Threat Assessment and Management Team Information

The Threat Assessment and Management Team (TAMT) is an interdisciplinary group of trained professional Syracuse University staff convened to evaluate potential threats to our campus community. Many behaviors and circumstances may indicate an increasing risk for violence. Recognizing and reporting early signs of a potentially dangerous situation is crucial to violence prevention.

Therefore, when concerned, you should always get in touch with DPS at 315.443.2224, by emailing or texting 711@syr.edu, by using the Orange Safe app or by completing a Silent Witness report through EthicsPoint. I encourage anyone seeking more information on the TAMT to visit its webpage.

Updates from Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services (CSEMS)

Our CSEMS team continues to achieve great things in 2023. I would like to highlight some of the impressive accomplishments from within the department:

PAL Youth Basketball League

Two of our very own, Quartermaster Joe Dishaw and Officer Nadia Diaz, have volunteered their time to coach a youth basketball team within the Syracuse Police Athletic League (PAL). They worked with a group of third- to fifth-grade girls throughout the past couple of months. The team showed remarkable improvement each week and learned valuable teamwork and leadership skills.

I’m happy to report they ended their season with an impressive win, and the following day the team was able to watch our Syracuse University women’s basketball team knock off Miami inside the JMA Wireless Dome. I’m proud of our coaches and their team on a great season and DPS is looking forward to continuing our relationship with PAL.

Employee of the Month—February 2023

I am pleased to announce that Officer Aidan Welling and Communications Center Coordinator Ben Rinaldi III were selected as our February 2023 Employees of the Month!

Officer Welling is honored for going above and beyond, this was evident by two nominations for two different acts submitted on his behalf. Meanwhile, Rinaldi is honored for his vital efforts in improving the infrastructure of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). Congratulations to them both!

Preparing Residences for Spring Break

As many of you plan to depart campus for spring 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.

Monthly Bias Update

Feb 24: An employee discovered homophobic/anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti in the men’s bathrooms on the third and fourth floors of Watson Hall.

Update: DPS met with the employee and conducted multiple canvasses of Watson Hall. Additionally, DPS has reviewed available video footage, referenced ID card access data, conducted interviews, and notified the Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police. 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 website.

I wish you all a safe and restful spring break.

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety