DPS News

Public Safety Informational Notice Update: Burglaries

As a follow up to the August 28th Public Safety Informational Notice regarding the burglaries that occurred at Watson and Lawrinson Residential Halls, the Syracuse Police Department has announced the arrest of two individuals. The investigation is ongoing at this time and is expected to conclude in the near future.

The Syracuse Police Department, more specifically, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), should be commended for the outstanding work that led to these arrests. The CID’s investigative work, in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety detectives and the University’s technical resources, were instrumental in leading to this swift and successful conclusion.

As always, we ask our community to remain vigilant in helping to keep our campus safe. To report a crime, contact please contact the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

For your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

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

Public Safety Update: Reported Robbery

On Saturday, September 1, 2018, at approximately 2:55 a.m., two students reported they were approached by an unknown male while standing outside their house on the 1200 block of Madison Street. The male displayed what appeared to be a black handgun and knife and demanded both students’ property. The students gave the male their cellphone and handbag. The suspect fled the scene on foot westbound on Madison Street towards Comstock Avenue. No injuries were reported. The male suspect is described as 6’0 tall, 20’s, wearing a black zip up sweater. No further description was provided.

If you were in the vicinity at the time of this incident, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) asks for your help in identifying the suspect.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or others, please contact the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5222 or the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

As always, we ask our community to remain vigilant in helping to keep our campus safe. To report a crime, contact please contact the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

For your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

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

Public Safety Notice: Robbery

On Saturday, September 1, 2018, at approximately 02:55 a.m, DPS received a report of a robbery that occurred at 1213 Madison Street. The Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Safety are on the scene and investigating this incident. We ask that you stay away from the area, at this time and that you call DPS at 315.443.2224, should you have information regarding this incident. More information to follow.

Public Safety Informational Notice: Burglaries

Yesterday evening, two different fire alarms were pulled in an effort to create a distraction and to burglarize unlocked residence hall rooms; one in Watson Hall and the other in Lawrinson Hall. Certain personal items including cash, speakers, headphones, wallets, shoes, jewelry and other items were stolen.

Our detectives, along with the Syracuse Police Department, are actively investigating these incidents. If you have information about those responsible for this activity or if you believe you have been a victim of these burglaries, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

This kind of activity will not be tolerated and will be investigated with all available resources. We have increased patrols in and around the residence halls. Additionally, we will dispatch additional law enforcement and fire safety staff to fire alarm pull incidents. We have also alerted the residence hall staff to these incidents.

As a reminder, should a fire alarm go off in your building, follow these useful tips:

•    Anytime you leave your room, whether it is a fire alarm or even if it is only for few minutes to visit a friend, you need to take your key with you and always lock your door.
•    Exit the building in a calm, swift, and safe manner using the exit that is closet to your room.
•    Move away from the building and wait to receive confirmation once it is deemed safe to reenter.
•    Finally, when exiting or entering a residence hall, do not hold the door open for someone behind you; it is expected that everyone is to swipe their SUID card to access our campus buildings.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.

Officer Franklin Recognized

This morning, at the Center of Excellence, Community Services Officer Franklin was recognized for her actions as it related to a larceny investigation. She was presented with the following letter:

I would like to recognize you on your individual actions relative to a Larceny investigation that occurred on August 6, 2018 at 727 E. Washington Street, The Center of Excellence (COE).

As you arrived at work on this date, you noticed some of your personal belongings were missing from a desk you maintain in the lobby of the building. You took the initiative to check the CCTV cameras in and around the building. At 2:08 am, you were able to capture a person of interest pulling on the entrance doors eventually finding an open door. This person was then observed entering the building and rummaging through the desk, you operate during your tour of duty. The camera footage was saved and turned over to the responding DPS Patrol Officer who completed a report under case number 18-405106.

Officer Franklin being presented recognition letter by Detective Toia

The next evening on August 7, 2018 this same person of interest came back to the Center of Excellence (COE) and tried to gain entry, however this time she was denied. You once again took the initiative to check the CCTV cameras and two still photos were captured and forwarded to the DPS Investigations Section for further review.

As a result of your work, the photos were distributed to the different police agencies in Onondaga County through the Onondaga County Crime Analysis Unit. As a result, an identification was made by a member of the Syracuse Police Department Patrol Section and an arrest was made on the person captured in the photos you provided for Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny.

Your actions reflect your commitment to the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and the University community and are characteristic of your individual and collective concern for the safety and security of all members of the community. You have done much to advance the Department of Public Safety’s reputation as a professional law enforcement entity. You have brought great credit upon yourself and the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and you have set a fine example for other officers to follow.

It is my pleasure to award you this letter of recognition.

Sincerely,

Detective Michael Toia