DPS News

Public Safety Information: Suspicious Incidents

For the protection and safety of SU students the Department of Public Safety releases the following information: Suspicious Incidents (Date Issued: 9/15/16)

The purpose of this notice is to advise students of suspicious incidents happening in and around campus. There have been a few incidents where a female, late 40’s, medium build, approximately 5’7” tall and 200 lbs has been approaching and entering student’s vehicles demanding money and rides. The suspect has been telling students that she is a nurse and is pregnant.

If anyone has any information regarding these incidents or has been a victim of such incident, 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, 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.
  • Secure unattended property
  • Take advantage of the CENTRO and Caz Limo bus services. Taxi services are also available.
  • Be aware of your surroundings: look and listen.
  • Travel in well-lit and populated areas.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Lock your car doors and windows.
  • Download and use the LiveSafe app to report any suspicious activity.

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.

R.A.D. Classes Available this Fall

Ladies, don’t wait! Sign up today for this women-only self defense course. For the fall semester, there will be two sessions; one on Tuesday and the other on Friday.

Quick Tips for Safety On Campus

Here’s a rundown of quick tips and additional information about the Department of Public Safety (DPS), to help answer your questions and share resources that can help keep you safe.

What should I do if I am in need of immediate safety?
– Contact DPS at 711 on a campus phone, #78 on your cell, or call 315-443-2224. In off campus areas call 911.

Why am I receiving public safety notices?
– Anytime a crime that poses on ongoing threat to safety happens on or immediately adjacent to campus, we send a notice to alert, not alarm, the campus community of any potential on-going neighborhood crime threats.

What is DPS doing to protect our safety?
– Public safety and security are DPS’ main priorities. We have increased night time patrolling and investigation supervision, increased walking escort capability, added officers to focus on prevention of serious crime, installed cameras near entrances and exits of all residence halls, parking garages, and other strategic campus locations, and enhanced the Orange Alert system. In addition, we often have more than 20 officers covering a two square mile area and more than 145 blue light emergency call boxes around campus.

What services are available if I am travelling late at night?
– Both Centro and Birnie Bus offer bus services, and taxis are always an option. Additional bus routes have been added to cover more off-campus housing locations. As a supplement to the bus services, theLate Night Safety Escort Shuttle operates Sunday through Wednesdays until 3:30 a.m. and overnight on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until regular bus services start at 6:00 a.m. Take advantage of the free safety escort services by calling 315-443-SAFE (7233).

Does DPS patrol off-campus areas?
– Absolutely! The DPS Orange Watch unit patrols off-campus neighborhoods via walking, biking, and vehicle patrols on virtually every student rental area street every few minutes. The Neighborhood Safety Patrols, a joint DPS and Syracuse Police Department team, patrols in the immediate off-campus and fraternity/sorority neighborhoods focused on quality of life issues and student safety. The University Area Crime-Control Team (UACT), a joint DPS and Syracuse Police Department Team, patrols in the immediate off-campus and fraternity/sorority neighborhoods focused on robbery and burglary suppression.

Who else patrols with DPS?
– You will see officers from the Syracuse Police Department, SUNY-ESF, the VA Hospital, and SUNY Upstate Medical University patrolling the university hill area. You can always ask them for help!

How can I be safer on and off campus?
– Plan your study and activity around the bus schedules.
– Walk, bike or jog in groups of three or more, away from bushes, cars, and other objects a suspect could hide behind.
– 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.
– 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.

What if I have ideas to improve services or increase safety on campus?
– Please call DPS at 315.443.2224 and ask to speak with one of the DPS crime prevention officers about personal safety. DPS is continually looking for ways to improve our services and would appreciate your suggestions.

2016 Summer Emergency Drill

On Monday, July 25, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety, Fire and Life Services, Environmental Heath and Safety and Syracuse University Ambulance teamed up with the Syracuse Fire Department and American Medical Response for a HAZMAT drill at the Steam Station.

The mock scenario involved two individuals puncturing a 55-gallon drum of sulfuric acid while operating a forklift. A third individual witnessed the incident and immediately called the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety for assistance.

DPS Officers arrived at the Steam Plant and quickly secured a perimeter. Syracuse University Fire and Life Safety along with Environmental Health accessed the situation and provided more accurate information to the Syracuse Fire Department who was en route.

Once the Syracuse Fire Department arrived on the scene, due to the nature of the spill, as a precautionary matter, a 150 feet perimeter was set.

Dressed in HAZMAT suits, the Syracuse Fire Department rescued the two victims and put each individual through the decontamination process. Once the decontamination was complete, the victims were transferred to the care of the Syracuse University Ambulance and American Medical response for treatment.

Once the drill was complete, Chief Maldonado held a mock press conference with students from Newhouse as part of an assignment for their class.

 

 

Zika Virus Information

Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In May 2015, the first confirmed Zika virus infections were discovered in Brazil.  The Zika virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.  To prevent the Zika Virus, use insect repellents to prevent mosquito bites; this includes everyone (children, pregnant and nursing women). When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.  Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

No locally transmitted Zika cases have been reported in the continental United States, but cases have been reported in returning travelers, and it has recently been predicted that Zika will eventually enter the United States.

It is important to note, that for most people, the Zika virus is relatively mild and not fatal.  The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.

A correlation has identified potential birth defects to infants born to a mother with the Zika virus, specifically microcephaly (a small, underdeveloped brain) that leads to further complications.  In response, CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women should strongly consider postponing travel to the tropical climates identified as those where the Zika virus is known to exist.
Though this has not become an issue for the Syracuse University community, we recommend if you have recently traveled abroad to one of the countries listed by the CDC and have any symptoms to follow up with a health professional or contact S.U. Health Services at (315) 443-9005.

Helpful Resources: 

Zika: The Basics of the Virus and How to Protect Against It

Zika Travel Information

Areas with Zika