On Tuesday, October 21, the Syracuse University community gathered for Coffee with a Cop, an event hosted by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) that encouraged students, faculty, and staff to stop by for a cup of coffee and casual conversation. The event, held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. outside of Sims Hall, provided an opportunity for campus community members to meet DPS officers in a relaxed setting, where they were approachable, open to conversation, and eager to answer questions and strengthen relationships.
“Many times people just see us as a car,” John Stephens, Administrative Sergeant, said. “They do not always get the chance to realize that we are part of this community too — parents, neighbors, people who care about the same students walking these halls.”
For many officers, the event was a reminder that meaningful safety work often starts with a simple conversation. Officers greeted students, answered questions about campus safety, and shared stories about their experiences working with the Syracuse community.
“I am not just a cop — I am a father, and I care a lot about this community,” Sergeant Stephens explained. “My wife works here too, so these events help us build real connections with students.”
The goal of Coffee with a Cop is to provide a space where students can meet officers outside of emergencies, ask questions, and get to know the people behind the uniforms. The relaxed setting allows for natural conversations that help break down barriers and build trust.
“When there is a critical situation, we want students to feel that they can trust us,” Property and Evidence Custodian Officer Matthew Zingaro said. “That relationship means we can work together to solve whatever is going on.”
Officers emphasized that their work goes far beyond enforcement. Much of what they do involves supporting students in day-to-day situations, from jump-starting a car to helping someone in crisis.
“Out of all the interactions I have, arresting someone is one one-hundredth of what we do,” Sergeant Stephens said. “If someone needs help or just someone to talk to, that is what we are here for.”
As conversations continued throughout the morning, it was clear that the event helped bridge understanding between DPS and the campus community. Some students even shared their own experiences or asked about career paths in law enforcement.
“Sometimes I will just stop and talk with students,” Officer Zingaro said with a smile. “You might have something on your mind — we are here for that too. It does not always have to be serious.”
The officers also reflected on how much the department has evolved over the years, focusing more on communication, outreach, and relationship-building.
“When I first started, public safety felt different,” Officer Zingaro said. “Now, we have more outreach, more communication. It helps us understand the students better, and they understand us better too.”
As the event wrapped up, DPS officers encouraged students to continue the conversation, whether that is stopping by during future outreach events, saying hello on campus, or reaching out through the Orange Safe app.
“We are public safety,” Sergeant Stephens said. “We are a service agency. We are here 24/7. Call us if you need us — we will do whatever we can to help.”
