Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
On behalf of the team at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), thanks to everyone who made move in such a successful and seamless process. We were delighted to welcome our students and their families to campus and be a part of this exciting milestone.
With the fall semester in full swing, we look forward to building on that momentum, staying engaged with our campus community, and working together to ensure a safe, supportive and successful semester for all. If you haven’t yet, please review our communication that was sent out at the beginning of the semester which highlighted important safety resources and services.
Additionally, I have several updates to provide today, including the following:
- DPS Community Engagement
- R.A.D. Self-Defense Course
- Important Safety Reminders
DPS Community Engagement
We are pleased to introduce Jeremy Welling as the Department of Public Safety’s commander of community engagement. In this role, Commander Welling will lead efforts to strengthen connections with students, faculty and staff through proactive outreach, safety programming and campus partnerships. With a focus on building trust and collaboration, he will play a key role in ensuring that DPS remains approachable, visible and responsive to the needs of our Orange community.
Our DPS team is always looking for opportunities to connect with our campus community. Here are some events coming up:
Safety Stations
Over the past two weekends, DPS hosted Safety Stations outside various first-year residence halls, sharing important safety tips that students can use on and off campus. We have one more weekend to go—join us Friday, Sept. 12, at Sadler and Lawrinson Halls and Saturday, Sept. 13, at Brewster, Boland and Brockway (BBB).
Tabling Outside Sims Hall
We are hosting tabling events outside Sims Hall on Tuesdays in September. These events give students the chance to connect directly with DPS officers, ask questions and learn practical safety strategies for campus and the surrounding community. Stop by to grab resources, meet our team and pick up useful tips to help keep you and your friends safe.
Coffee With a Cop
As you head to class or work on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., stop by Sims Hall to see our team from DPS giving away treats for our Coffee With a Cop Day!
Our tent will be set up outside Sims Hall by the College Place bus stop with:
- Coffee, hot chocolate and tea station
- Sweet treats
- A chance to chat with DPS officers
R.A.D. Self-Defense Course
R.A.D. is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The R.A.D. system is a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, progressing to the basics of hands-on defense training. For the Fall 2025 semester, the classes will be held on the following dates from 6 to 9 p.m. at a location to be determined:
- Monday, Oct. 6
- Monday, Oct. 13
- Monday, Oct. 20
- Monday, Oct. 27
To learn more and register for our R.A.D program, visit the DPS website.
As always, we welcome your suggestions for 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 (@syracusedps) for more information on these events.
Important Safety Reminders
Keep Your Belongings Safe
Members of the Syracuse University community can take some simple steps to ensure the safety of their belongings. DPS recommends taking these actions:
- Always lock your windows and doors, even if you are only going to be away from your room, apartment or house for a short period of time.
- Ensure car windows and doors are locked/secured. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
- Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle.
- If you need to keep valuables in the car, make sure they can’t be easily seen, e.g., place them in the trunk. Keep them out of sight and locked up!
If you have something stolen or if your residence or car is broken into, don’t hesitate to reach out to DPS. Our non-emergency phone number is 315.443.2224.
Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety
Whether on foot or behind the wheel, we all play a role in keeping campus roadways safe. Here are a few reminders to help everyone travel safely and responsibly.
Tips for Drivers
- Yield for pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
- Slow down and obey posted speed limits.
- Always look out for pedestrians, especially before turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.
- Be careful when passing stopped vehicles—they might be stopping for pedestrians.
- Pay attention—don’t text and drive!
Tips for Pedestrians
- Cross in marked crosswalks and at intersections and wait for signals to cross.
- Before crossing, look both ways and over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
- Pay attention—don’t text while crossing!
- Make eye contact with drivers so they see you.
- Don’t suddenly step in front of traffic. Buses and trucks take even longer to stop than other vehicles.
We Are Here to Help
As a reminder, if you have information that may be relevant to DPS or an ongoing investigation, it is never too late to come forward. 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.
Sincerely,
Chief Mike Bunker
Department of Public Safety
