DPS News

In Memoriam: Robert ‘Robbie’ Robinson, Former Chief of Public Safety

Shortly after Robert “Robbie” Robinson became the University’s chief of public safety in October 1993, he had a “chance encounter” with James K. Duah-Agyeman, who was then the director of the Center for Academic Achievement in the Division of Student Support and Development. “I made it a point to introduce myself to him,” says Duah-Agyeman, who now serves as lead director, Intercultural Collective, and director, Multicultural Affairs. “As I began to do so, the chief chimed in and said, ‘I know who you are, James. It is my job to know those I serve and protect.’”

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

September 2022 Updates From the Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is hard to believe that October is upon us already. It seems like it was just yesterday that everyone was returning to campus. We hope you are settling in nicely to the fall semester.

I have several important topics I would like to address with you this update, including:

  • Off-Campus Burglary Update
  • Monthly Bias Update
  • Emergencies on Campus
  • Fire Prevention Week
  • Annual Security Report
  • Orange Safe App Now Available for Download

Off-Campus Burglary Update

I have spoken with some students and families about the recent burglaries happening off campus in the east neighborhood. I would like to share with our campus community some key points:

  • Since Aug. 2, 2022, there have been over 75 burglaries throughout the City of Syracuse.
  • 38 of those burglaries occurred in the east neighborhood; however, not all incidents involved Syracuse University students.
  • In most of the incidents, the suspects have entered through open first floor windows or unlocked doors.
  • We understand these events are concerning. Please know we are working hard with the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) and New York State Police to mitigate the occurrence of these incidents and have refined our tactics accordingly. These new tactics are yielding positive results.
  • Additionally, several arrests have been made including:
    • On Aug. 26, SPD arrested a suspect in the 700 block of Salt Springs Road in a stolen vehicle related to an east neighborhood burglary.
    • On Sept. 11, thanks to the community member who called in suspicious activity, SPD and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested two suspects who had been in possession of firearms.
      Also on Sept. 11, the New York State Police arrested a suspect in a stolen vehicle taken during an east neighborhood burglary.
    • On Sept. 17, DPS apprehended two suspects who were later arrested for second degree harassment thanks to the community members who reported an incident to one of our officers on patrol.

We all must remain vigilant. Our officers, along with the Syracuse Police Department are out patrolling. If members of our community observe anything suspicious, please call us at 315.443.2224. I stress the importance of calling in these instances because the quicker our response, the better the outcome. Additionally, as a reminder, please lock your doors and windows. The vast majority of recent burglaries are the result of criminals entering through open windows and unlocked doors.

Monthly Bias Update

Sept. 16: According to the anonymous reporter, a group of male students reportedly made animal sounds and behaved in a rowdy manner in the overnight hours on the third floor of Day Hall. The anonymous reporting party described feeling targeted by the behavior.

Update: This case is still under investigation. Our team performed an extensive review of the available camera footage and conducted an extensive search of Day Hall and have yet to encounter anyone with firsthand experience of this incident. We continue to look for additional leads and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Sept. 23: The reported incident allegedly occurred on one of the student floors in the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel. According to the report, an anonymous individual said they heard what they believed to be a racial slur coming from inside one of the rooms on their floor.

Update: Our team performed an extensive search and reviewed camera footage, along with other electronic data. The investigation has been unable to substantiate that the incident occurred as described.

As a reminder, if we do have additional updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

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.

Emergencies on Campus

What should you do in the event of an emergency on campus? Call 911.

Even if you are in doubt of whether you should call or not; err on the side of caution and call. Our emergency communications center that is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, is connected with the Onondaga County 911 Center.

Also, our website has helpful resources to prepare you in the event of an emergency on campus, including emergency procedures and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations. I encourage you to take a few moments to familiarize yourself with both.

Fire Prevention Week

Our team at Fire and Life Safety Services (FLSS) responds to emergency incidents, such as fire alarm activations across campus, in partnership with the Syracuse Fire Department. FLSS is responsible for maintaining the University’s fire detection and suppression systems and related life safety equipment. FLSS manages and conducts inspections of residential, administrative and academic facilities to comply with federal, state and local applicable building and fire codes.

As part of Fire Prevention Week, Sunday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 15, our team at Fire and Life Safety Services would like to remind you of the following important fire safety practices:

  • Look for fully sprinklered housing when choosing off-campus housing.
  • Make sure you can hear the building alarm system when you are in your residence hall room.
    If you live in a residence hall, make sure your sleeping room has a smoke alarm, or your suite has a smoke alarm in each living area as well as the sleeping room. For the best protection, all smoke alarms in the residence hall suite should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
  • If you live in an apartment or house, make sure smoke alarms are installed in each sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on each level of the apartment unit or house. For the best protection, all smoke alarms in the apartment unit or house should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
  • When using a space heater, plug the heater directly into a wall outlet. Do not plug it into a power strip or extension cord.
  • Test all smoke alarms at least monthly.
  • Never remove batteries or disable the alarm.
  • Learn your building’s evacuation plan and practice all drills as if they were the real thing.
  • If you live off campus, have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room.
  • When the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out.
  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
  • Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine or alcohol.
  • Check with your local fire department for any restrictions before using a barbeque grill, fire pit or chimenea.
  • Check the University’s rules before using electrical appliances in your room.

Watch for our Fire and Life Safety team outside Oren Lyons Hall on Friday, Oct. 14. Follow @SyracuseDPS on social media for further details.

Annual Security Report

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act requires colleges and universities to publish an Annual Security Report by Oct. 1 each year. Our report, published on Friday, documents the past three calendar years’ worth of select campus crime information, including statistics and detailing the University’s security policies and procedures.

I urge you to familiarize yourself with the report’s information, resources and services. And I ask that you be a vigilant partner in our ongoing and collective efforts to maintain a safe environment where all our community members can thrive.

Orange Safe App Now Available for Download

Have you downloaded the Orange Safe app yet? This mobile safety app launched this fall and replaces Rave Guardian which was officially decommissioned on Friday, Sept. 23. Orange Safe is a free app which provides several tools designed to keep you safe. I would like to highlight just a few of the following features:

  • On-Campus BlueLight: While you are on campus, tap the button to simultaneously send your location to and call the DPS Emergency Communications Center (ECC). The DPS ECC will receive your location in real time and talk to you on the phone.
  • Safe Walk: Send your location in real time to a friend so they can watch you as you walk to your destination. They’ll watch you and can trigger a call to emergency services if necessary. It is as simple as sending a text message to a family or friend and they will be sent a link used to follow you. Once you reach your destination, you can easily disconnect.
  • Social Escape: Get out of a tough social situation by receiving a call that gives you an excuse to leave. Simply enter your phone number in the app and set how quickly you want to receive the phone call.

To learn more and download the app today, visit our website at dps.syr.edu.

I wish you much success as we reach the midway point of the semester.

Sincerely,

Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety

2022 Security Report Now Available

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

I am writing to share the 2022 edition of Your Safety and Security at Syracuse University. Required by The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), the report is now online and can be found by visiting the Annual Security Report webpage. This report is one of the many ways we communicate with our campus community about crime and fire safety data, crime prevention programs, student safety guidelines, and essential information on campus safety reporting procedures.

Everyone at Syracuse University remains dedicated to the safety of our campus community. Our goals are consistent year after year. They are:

  • Reduce crime by equipping our community members with personal and residential safety and security guidelines and recommendations;
  • Teach and encourage safe behavior and active bystander best practices;
    Inform the campus community about programs, resources, and services, because knowledge is a powerful crime-fighting tool;
  • Inspire and invite others to partner with us in our mission to minimize crime and increase safety on and near campus; and
  • Consistently work to improve and enhance a meaningful relationship with the community we serve.

I urge you to familiarize yourself with the report’s information, resources, and services. And I ask that you be a vigilant partner in our ongoing and collective efforts to maintain a safe environment where all our community members can thrive.

To request a print copy of the Your Safety and Security at Syracuse University report, contact Nikki Cooter, regulatory compliance manager, at njcooter@syr.edu or 315.443.5476. Once you submit your request, your print copy will be delivered within 10 days.

Sincerely,

Craig A. Stone
Associate Vice President and Chief
Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services

Department of Public Safety to Conduct a Test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Wednesday, Sept. 21

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will conduct a test of the Orange Alert Campus Crisis Alert Notification System on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 12:40 p.m. It will be a full test of the system which includes notifications sent via email, text message and voice call. The test will also include the Orange Alert outdoor siren system on the University’s North and South campuses. The sirens will be activated for two minutes at 12:40 p.m.

To learn more, visit news.syr.edu.

Message From DPS Chief Craig Stone: Weekend Safety Reminders

Dear Campus Community Members:

With another weekend upon us, I am writing today to share with you the actions we are taking to keep our campus community safe, as well as reminders of critically important steps you can take to protect yourself and your property and reduce your risk of being a target of criminal activity. 

We are expecting an active weekend, with many activities scheduled on campus, including the Syracuse Football game, which kicks off at noon on Saturday, Sept. 17. Given the ongoing prevalence of burglaries the City of Syracuse is experiencing, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is taking the following actions to dissuade and deter criminal behavior:

  1. DPS has increased patrols of the University neighborhoods; the community can expect to see an influx of DPS officers in the area throughout the weekend.
  2. The Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police have launched a joint effort to deploy state troopers and additional SPD officers in University-adjacent neighborhoods.
  3. DPS continues to communicate regularly with our campus community about actions each of us can take to keep ourselves, our families, roommates, housemates and our residences safe.

As a reminder, it is critically important that our community reman vigilant and alert for suspicious activity, and report anything that seems out of the ordinary immediately. An arrest of two suspects in burglaries last weekend was aided by calls made by alert neighbors. Please review and continue to deploy these safety strategies:

  • Lock your doors and windows. The vast majority of recent burglaries are the result of criminals entering through open windows and unlocked doors. 
  • Always secure your belongings and residence before you leave and before you go to sleep at night.
  • Avoid leaving your keys out in the open.
  • Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record of them, including serial numbers.
  • Don’t 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.
  • 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.
  • Ensure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficiently bright, and trim shrubs and tree branches that obscure lighting around entrances. 
  • Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
  • Do not leave any valuable items near residence windows or visible in your car. 
  • Take pictures of anything valuable, install tracking software, if possible, and document the serial numbers of all electronic devices.

If you observe anything suspicious on campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app. To report off-campus crime, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111. In an emergency, dial 911.

We want everyone to have a safe, restful and enjoyable weekend. Please continue to use caution and remain aware of your surroundings. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact DPS. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all members of our community.

Sincerely, 

Craig A. Stone
Associate Vice President and Chief
Department of Public Safety