DPS News

Public Safety Notice: Off Campus Attempted Strong-Arm Robbery, 10-23-2015

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

Off Campus Attempted Strong-Arm Robbery

SPD Cases #15-514535

Friday, October 23, 2015

708 Lancaster Avenue

A student reported an attempted strong arm robbery that occurred off campus. The student reports he was walking northbound in the 700 block of Lancaster Ave. when he was approached from behind by four unknown males on bicycles. One of the suspects attempted to grab the student’s cellphone from his hand. The student was then punched in the back of his head, causing him to fall to the ground, sustaining a small laceration to his hand.

The suspects fled the scene on bicycles heading north on Lancaster Ave, then east on Clarendon Street, away from campus. The student refused medical attention. There was no property stolen and no threat of a weapon.

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 suspects: 4 Males, 16 years of age, all suspects had on hooded sweatshirts, one was orange, one was red and one was black, all had dark pants on, no further description.

For an interactive map of the incident location, refer to the Google Map.

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 to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

For your safety, please remember:

  • Take advantage of the CENTRO and Birnie Bus services. Taxi services are also available.
  • 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.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 315-443-2224 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

Public Safety Notice: Off Campus Residential Armed Robbery, 10/07/2015

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

Off Campus Residential Armed Robbery

SPD Cases # 15-492774

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

200 block of Ostrom Ave

Three students reported an armed robbery that occurred off campus. The students reported while at home in their off campus apartment, located several blocks off campus in the 200 block of Ostrom Ave, they heard a knock at their front door, when they opened the door, two unknown males, wearing surgical masks pushed their way into the apartment. Both suspects displayed handguns and a knife, demanded the victim’s car keys, wallets and cell phones. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle in an unknown direction.

The proceeds from the robbery were recovered shortly after by the SPD off campus in the City of Syracuse. No injuries were reported.

DPS asks for your help in identifying a suspect if you were in the vicinity at the time of the incident. For this purpose, the following is the description of the suspects: 2 Males, late 20’s, 5’10 to 6’0 tall, 160 lbs, both suspects were wearing black hooded sweatshirts, black pants, surgical masks, and displayed handguns and knife.

For an interactive map of the incident location, refer to the Google Map.

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 to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

For your safety, please remember:

  • Take advantage of the CENTRO and Birnie Bus services. Taxi services are also available.
  • 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.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 315-443-2224 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

DPS Ranked In Top 25 University Departments Contributing To Student Safety

The Department of Public Safety was ranked at number six in the National Campus Safety Summit’s 2015 list of Top 25 university administrative departments making a difference in student safety.

The ranking came as a result of a nomination detailing the Department’s numerous off-campus patrol initiatives at peak hours on nights and weekends, and the neighborhood and inter-departmental partnerships DPS has undertaken in the past five years. There were 4,706 eligible U.S. college or university administrative departments nominated for consideration this year.

These include the University Area Crime-control Team (UACT), an initiative started in 2012 and staffed jointly by the DPS and Syracuse Police Department patrolling the East Neighborhood and Marshall Street area on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights;

the Neighborhood Safety Patrol (NSP) program, which addresses student safety and quality of life issues and deters criminal activity in the East Campus Neighborhood area;

and Orange Watch, which provides an expanded DPS presence in key areas on Main and South campus and areas to the north and east of campus with walking, bicycle and vehicular patrol coverage between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am and on weekends.

Senior Vice President and Chief Law Enforcement Officer Tony Callisto, Jr. said the ranking was a testament to the fine work accomplished at the Department on a daily basis. “It is no surprise the Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety would rank highly in the top 25 college administrative units in the US for serving the safety and security needs of our students.  The commitment and dedication of each peace officer, dispatcher, community services officer, support staff member and student worker at DPS play a major role is protecting our community.  As a nationally accredited campus law enforcement organization, DPS has best in class programs, procedures and training, but it’s the people of DPS that make the organization one of the finest in the country!”

“They’ve proven an outstanding dedication to improving the safety of their students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” Linda Shaw, Safe Campus Director, said.

The National Campus Safety Summit will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada in February 2016. The Department is grateful for the consideration of the Summit’s awards committee and for the efforts of its employees to make Syracuse University and the surrounding areas a safer place.

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Crime Prevention Bulletin 9/12/2015

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

Crime Prevention Bulletin

September 12, 2015

It has come to the attention of the Department of Public Safety that some off-campus students residing in the area of Remington Gardens, Clarendon Heights and Hidden Valley Apartments near south campus have recently reported being approached by unknown males while waiting for a bus or returning home from campus later in the evening between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The suspect(s) approach the victims, ask for money, when the victims displayed their wallet/money, the suspects stole the money and left the area. There were no injuries reported.

As a reminder, we recommend you utilize the campus escort service after hours, the public transportation system and to travel in groups of three or more. It is important to be aware of this and diligent at all times. If anyone experiences or witnesses an incident like this, 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. 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.