DPS News

Public Safety Information: Fraudulent Phone Scheme

For the protection and safety of SU students, faculty, staff and neighbors, the Department of Public Safety releases the following alert:

Fraudulent Phone Scheme (Date Issued: 1/13/17)

Please be advised of a recent fraudulent phone scheme. A student received a phone call from an individual claiming to be the FBI. The individual told the student that they owed funds to the IRS. The caller confirmed the student’s personal information, including their SU major. The student was then told that if they did not pay the fees they owed they would be arrested and deported.

Please be aware that the FBI does not make phone calls on behalf of the IRS, nor does the FBI or the IRS conduct business by use of the telephone. Also, please do not give out your personal information if you do not know who is calling you or to an unknown source on the internet.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or others, 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.

Keep yourself safe by reviewing these suggested safety strategies.

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

New Weather Station Aids in Emergency Weather Preparedness

img_0805Real-time weather data and a live look at the Syracuse University main campus is now available, thanks to a donation from WeatherSTEM. Ed Mansouri, Florida State University alumnus, is the creator of WeatherSTEM. His initial goal for this program was to provide weather stations to K-12 schools with science technology and engineering curricula, but now, many Atlantic Coast Conference universities, including Syracuse University, have received the system as a donation. Read the full article at news.syr.edu.

Message from Chief Bobby Maldonado

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

As chief of Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), the safety and well-being of every member of our campus community is my top priority. Educating the campus community on crime prevention and how to respond in the event of a crisis situation is critically important to providing a safe living, learning and working environment.

That is why I am reaching out to you today. In light of last week’s incident at The Ohio State University (OSU), I encourage you to watch this video, which was created by the City of Houston. It is a helpful introduction to what’s known as the “Run. Hide. Fight.” model, to which Syracuse University subscribes.

Though many of you may have been previously unfamiliar with the expression “Run. Hide. Fight.” I suspect you heard about it on the news last week. Those three words were communicated—via OSU’s Buckeye Alert—to its campus community during what it believed to be an active shooter incident.

In the event of an immediate threat to our community, DPS will urge you to run, hide or fight. So, what does that mean?

RUN

  • Have an escape route and plan in mind.
  • Leave your belongings behind.
  • Keep your hands visible.

HIDE

  • If you can’t escape, hide in an area out of the shooter’s view.
  • Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors.
  • Silence your cell phone and other devices.

FIGHT

  • Fighting is a last resort to be used only when your life is in imminent danger.
  • Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter.
  • Find an object to use as a weapon, such as a fire extinguisher or chair.

Please take a few moments to review the video. Being prepared and ready to act is key to responding to any immediate threat.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or another member of the DPS team.

Sincerely,
Chief Bobby Maldonado
Department of Public Safety

University Holds ‘Implicit Bias’ Training for Department of Public Safety and CNY Law Enforcement

As part of an ongoing effort to increase cultural competency, improve understanding of issues related to diversity and inclusion, and provide professional growth opportunities for campus and community law enforcement officers, the Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services will host “implicit bias” training on Tuesday, Nov. 22, for all officers and supervisors within the Department of Public Safety as well as Central New York law enforcement agencies. This training will be conducted by Bryant T. Marks Sr., minister, researcher, master teacher and human developmentalist.

Read the full article.

Public Safety Notice: Off-Campus Robbery

For the protection and safety of SU students, faculty, staff and neighbors, the Department of Public Safety releases the following alert:

Off Campus Robbery (Date Issued: 11/14/16 SPD Case # 16-537760)

On Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 at 12:48 p.m. a student reported that an unknown person entered his residence located in the 700 block of Walnut Avenue. The suspect approached the student with a box cutter displayed and demanded proceeds. The student pushed the suspect away fled the residence. The student then contacted the SPD and DPS. The suspect fled the residence in an unknown direction of travel with no proceeds.

DPS asks your help in identifying the suspects if you were in the vicinity at the time of the incident. For this purpose, the following is the description of the suspect: Suspect is a male, 14-16 years of age 5’4”-5’6” in height, thin build, clean shaven, short black hair. No further description.

For an interactive map of the incident location, refer to the Campus Alerts 2016 Google Map link at:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zKhNvJ3lHS7I.kSfF7Lb8atLc&usp=sharing

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. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool, available at http://publicsafety.syr.edu/html/silent_witness.html

FOR YOUR SAFETY, PLEASE REMEMBER:

• After dark, take advantage of the free safety escort services available through the Department of Public Safety. Both walking and shuttle services are available to students, staff, and faculty at SU or SUNY-ESF. Call 443-SAFE (7233) for more information about these services.
• Take advantage of the CENTRO and Birnie Bus services. Taxi services are also available.
• Walk, bike or jog in groups of three or more, away from bushes, cars, and other objects a suspect could hide behind.
• Plan your walking travel times by avoiding late to early morning hours.
• Be aware of your surroundings: look and listen. Headphones and cell phones can create tunnel vision.
• Travel in well-lit and populated areas. Keep porch lights on at night.
• Download the LiveSafe app on your Android or iOS smart phone. The app provides a virtual escort feature you can use with friends and quick links to important public safety information. Set the app to Syracuse University and sign up with your syr.edu email address!
• Don’t approach strangers or let them get close to you.
• If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. Go toward an open business or lighted house.
• Have your house or car keys in hand before you reach your door.
• Know where campus blue light alarms are and how to use them.
• If someone tries to rob you, don’t resist. Give up your property, not your life.
• If you are in a safe place to do so, attempt to get a description of the suspect(s) and any associated vehicles or license plate numbers.

IMMEDIATELY report emergencies or suspicious activities, persons and vehicles.

For Public Safety dial 443-2224 or #78 (from a cell phone); if you are in a situation where you cannot safely make a phone call, send a text message to 711@syr.edu; for Syracuse Police dial 911.

Your quick reporting may help prevent others from becoming victims.

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