As you finish up the semester and prepare to return home for break, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) wants to remind you to secure your belongings and residence before you leave. We have seen a number of burglaries this semester where the alleged burglars have entered properties through suspected unlocked windows and doors; we have not seen any incidents where forced entry has occurred.
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.
In addition to what is listed above, for 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 home with you, i.e. laptop computer, video game counsel.
-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 Rave Guardian app or for off-campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.
