DPS News

Public Safety Informational Notice: Bicycle Larcenies

For the protection and safety of Syracuse University students, faculty, staff and neighbors, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) releases the following informational notice:

Bicycle Larcenies

DPS has had several reported bicycle larcenies on campus over the last few weeks. Each of the stolen bicycles had been secured to a bicycle rack with a cable lock, which can be cut easily and discreetly.

Arrests have been made by DPS regarding these thefts, but the problem can persist if we are not diligent. DPS recommends using a U-bolt type of lock to better secure your bicycle and deter theft. These locks are available at the Syracuse University Bookstore in the Schine Student Center, as well as at most local retail stores and bicycle shops.

In addition, please consider registering your bicycle with DPS. To do that, complete this form and set up an appointment with an officer. A registration number will be affixed to your bicycle, and that information will be kept on record.

As always, we ask our community to remain vigilant to help keep our campus safe. To report a crime, contact DPS at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

This information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

National Test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, October 3

On Wednesday, October 3, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 3. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.

The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to wireless providers participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016,  and September 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.

The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency. The test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test:

“THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”

Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” and text that says:

“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of the WEA test.

ASL Video PSA: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/168912

Website: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-alert-test

Important Safety Resources and Information

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Now that a new semester is underway, the Department of Public Safety wants to remind all members of our campus community about important safety services and information that can help make your semester enjoyable and safe.

Safety Strategies – While your chances of being a victim of a crime are actually very low, it is still important to be aware of certain safety strategies while at Syracuse University:

  • Always lock your windows and doors, even if you are only going to be away from your room for a short period of time or while you are sleeping at night. Criminals look for opportunities, like an open window or unlocked door.
  • Keep your stuff with you! Never leave cell phones, laptops, wallets or other valuables behind – it only takes a few seconds for someone to walk away with them!
  • Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle and register your bike with DPS.
  • Never walk alone. While your chances of being a victim of a crime are actually very low, most street crime incidents occur at night and usually involve students walking alone or with just one other person.

LiveSafe – Connecting with DPS is as easy as opening an app on your smartphone. With LiveSafe, you can call DPS or 911 in the event of an emergency, report tips including videos and pictures, or use the SafeWalk feature, which permits you to virtually share your location with friends as you walk to a destination. Download the app today!

Orange Alert – This is the University’s crisis notification system, designed to provide rapid notification and instruction in the event of a crisis in progress. We perform a test of this system every semester and will be scheduling one for the upcoming month. In addition, due to our expanding campus, we recently added two more sirens to our system; one on the top of the Whitman School and the other on the top of Falk College. Please log into MySlice to verify that your contact information is up to date.

Run.Hide.Fight. – While an active shooter situation is unlikely, it is important to be prepared. We have put together a video for you to understand the importance of these three words: Run.Hide.Fight.

Text SUSAFE to 444-999 – Adding important Syracuse University safety and support contact information is also quick and simple! When you text SUSAFE to 444-999 you will be sent a link to download a contact card that you can save right to the contact list on your phone.

Finally, remember that the Department of Public Safety is here for you 24/7. We can be reached anytime at 315.443.2224 or on the LiveSafe app.

Sincerely,

Chief Bobby Maldonado

Text SUSafe to 444-999 to Download Important University Contacts

The Divisions of Campus Safety and Emergency Services and Enrollment and the Student Experience are rolling out a new initiative to make storing relevant campus safety information on your cell phone easier. With a simple download, you will be able to import contact cards that contain information for the following campus resources:

  • Department of Public Safety
  • Safety Escorts
  • Syracuse University Ambulance
  • Counseling Center
  • Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team
  • Title IX Office
  • Student Assistance

Once you download the contact cards, it will automatically save information, including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, websites, and other links, for the above listed resources, to the address book in your cell phone.

To download the contact cards, text “SUSafe” to 444-999 to get both contact cards added to your cell phone today; follow this link to start the download; or a text message will be sent to your cell phone tomorrow with a link to download the cards.

Once you send the text, follow the instructions below to download the contact cards:

  1. You will receive a text with a download link shorty after.
  2. Click the download link in your texting application. You will now be brought to a KeynectUp web page with a link to the contact card.
  3. Click “download card” or “open in contacts” on the KeynectUp web page. The contact card will now be brought to your contact book.
  4. Click “save” or “open in contacts” on the web page. That is it, you are done!

If you have any problems with downloading the card, you can reach out to KeynectUp directly via text or phone call at 603.531.3211 or by email at support@keynectup.com.

Finally, during this introductory period only, our service provider, KeynectUp, will draw the phone number of one user, and our lucky winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card! You must complete the download in order to be entered for the drawing.