DPS Monthly Updates

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is hard to believe that October is already upon us. Our campus has been host to many exciting events throughout the beginning of the fall semester and I appreciate our campus community’s focus on safety.

Listed below are some brief updates from the Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services team including:

• National Coffee With a Cop Day
• Bicycle Safety and Security
• Orange Safe Giveaway
• FEMA Nationwide Emergency Alert Test
• Resources From ITS
• Employee of the Month
• Monthly Bias Update

National Coffee With a Cop Day

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 4, is National Coffee With a Cop Day. Our officers will be out in front of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices in Sims Hall from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. serving free coffee, hot chocolate, tea and cookies. We will be giving away 20 U-bolt locks (on a first-come, first-served basis) and have a bicycle, scooter and skateboard registration station set up! Stop by to engage with the DPS team and share any feedback you have.

If you can’t make this event, don’t worry! Check out our event listings or follow us on social media for information on upcoming DPS events.

Bicycle Safety and Security

There has been an increase in bicycle thefts this fall, and DPS wants to remind you of proactive steps you can take to better secure your bicycle, scooter or skateboard:

• Use a U-bolt locking device.
• Register your bicycle, scooter or skateboard with DPS through the online form.
• Do NOT leave your bicycle, scooter or skateboard unattended if it is not secured.

Our team recently apprehended a repeat offender partially responsible for the uptick in bicycle thefts, but please remain vigilant. Be on the lookout for in-person registration events by following us on social media.

Orange Safe Giveaway

We are celebrating 10,000 downloads of the Orange Safe app with a giveaway to some who have downloaded the app. To enter, visit the pinned post on our Instagram and follow the instructions in the caption for a chance to win.

If you haven’t downloaded Orange Safe yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Orange Safe is a free app that provides several tools designed to keep you safe. Users can stay connected and receive important campus notifications, communicate with campus safety and gain access to resources needed most. To learn more and download today, visit our website at dps.syr.edu.

FEMA Nationwide Emergency Alert Test

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts on, Wednesday, Oct. 4, at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET.

This test will be directed to all consumer cell phones as well as through radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and wireline video providers. In case the test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Wednesday, Oct. 11. For more information on the test, please see the FEMA press release.

Resources From ITS

Email phishing scams, hoaxes, fake websites, spam and sundry schemes that hackers and identity thieves use to trick people into revealing bank account and credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and other confidential information is on the rise. Information Technology Services (ITS) wants to help the Orange community be aware of best practices around safe computing. Review these five tips from the ITS team to better protect yourself online.

Employee of the Month

Officer Liztazia Ramirez-Stephens has been selected as our August 2023 Employee of the Month. Officer Ramirez-Stephens is being recognized for her response and support in assisting with a serious line of duty injury suffered by a fellow DPS officer. Congratulations on a job well done!

Monthly Bias Update

Sept. 17: A resident on the 10th floor of Brewster Hall reported discovering antisemitic graffiti drawn on the whiteboard hanging on their door.

Update: Our team conducted a thorough canvass of the floor, interviewed multiple individuals and reviewed video, but we have no leads at this time. If you, or anyone you know, witnessed or has knowledge regarding this incident, we ask that you reach out to us right away.

As a reminder, if we do have additional updates they will be posted on the chart on our website and we’ll share any developments in this monthly email.

It is never too late to come forward with information on any bias incident or crime. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Go Orange!

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is wonderful to see our campus full of life once again. Our entire Department of Public Safety (DPS) team has enjoyed seeing all the new and returning faces over the past couple of weeks. I hope everyone has settled in nicely as the semester gets underway.

If you haven’t yet, please review the communication that was sent out last week which highlighted important safety resources and services. Additionally, I have several updates to provide today, including the following:

• Orange Safe App Milestone
• Evacuation Assistance Request Form Available in MySlice
• Community Police Academy and R.A.D.
• DPS Community Engagement Events
• Employee of the Month
• Monthly Bias Update

Orange Safe App Milestone

Recently, Orange Safe eclipsed 10,000 downloads. It is encouraging to see how receptive our campus community has been to the app. We plan to celebrate 10,000 downloads by rewarding some of those who have downloaded the app. Please be sure to follow us on social media for your chance to win.

If you haven’t downloaded Orange Safe yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Orange Safe is a free app that provides several tools designed to keep you safe. Users can stay connected and receive important campus notifications, communicate with campus safety and gain access to resources needed most. To learn more and download today, visit our website at dps.syr.edu.

Evacuation Assistance Request Form Available in MySlice

Students, faculty and staff with temporary or permanent disabilities, or other mobility-related concerns, can now request various types of assistance during an emergency evacuation on campus. This includes wheelchair users, individuals who are blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, sensitive to noises and/or crowds, in need of text/written communications and more. To request assistance, log in to MySlice, navigate to the “Personal Profile” tile and select “Evacuation Assistance Request” from the menu. Read more on SU News.

Community Police Academy and R.A.D.

Our DPS team is still accepting applications for our Community Police Academy and registrations for our R.A.D. self-defense course. Please review the following information to determine if these programs may be of interest to you:

Community Police Academy: This is a free four-week program designed to give eligible students, faculty and staff an idea of what it’s like to protect and serve our campus community. For the Fall 2023 semester, the classes will be held every Wednesday in October from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in 020 Lyman Hall.

R.A.D. Self-Defense Course: R.A.D. is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The R.A.D. system is a comprehensive course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, and progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. For the Fall 2023 semester, the classes will be held the first four Sundays of October from 5 to 8 p.m. in Skybarn on South Campus.

To learn more and register, visit our website.

Community Engagement Events

Our DPS team is always looking for opportunities to connect with our campus community. Here are some events our team has planned throughout the month of September:

DPS Game Nights: Game nights will be held again this semester in the Schine Student Center! There will be a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Oculus Quest available for use, or just stop by to chat with DPS staff. You can find us in the Schine from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 12 and 26.

Reassurance Station: In partnership with Title IX and Apartment and Off-Campus Living, DPS has launched a “Reassurance Station” on weekend evenings. This past weekend the event saw nearly 1,000 students stop by where our team was setup at 401 Euclid Ave., outside of Lyons Hall. Representatives from the aforementioned offices provided snacks while they reminded students of important safety tips and answered any questions that students had. The “Reassurance Station” will be setup once again the next two nights (Sept. 8 and Sept. 9) from 9 p.m. to midnight outside of Lyons Hall. Please feel free to stop by and say hello to those stationed at the table!

As always, we welcome your suggestions on other events we can host that allow our officers and our community to get to know each other better. Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media (@syracusedps) for more information on these events.

Employee of the Month

Officer Jessica Mehlek has been selected as our August 2023 Employee of the Month. Officer Mehlek is being recognized for the role she played in diffusing a physical domestic dispute. Thanks to her timely response and ability to perform under pressure, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Congratulations to Officer Mehlek on a job well done!

Monthly Bias Update

Aug. 30: Two Syracuse University students reported being called the N-word by an individual unknown to them in the fourth-floor hallway of Flint Hall. The reporting students said the slur was used by an individual in a group of four to five women.

Update: DPS has met with the reporting students to gather additional information. Multiple canvasses and interviews have been conducted, along with an extensive review of CCTV footage. The Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police have been notified. If anyone has relevant information regarding this incident, we ask that you reach out to us.

Aug. 27: A Syracuse University employee reported hearing an antisemitic slur from a passing car. The driver was identified as a non-affiliate who claims he was misheard. Due to a lack of witnesses and security footage with audio, the investigation has been closed due to inconclusive evidence.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Stay safe and have a productive start to the semester.

Go Orange!

Chief Craig Stone
Department of Public Safety
Student Experience Division

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It is hard to believe our campus will be welcoming you all back in just a few short weeks. I’m very proud of our Department of Public Safety (DPS) team for all the work being done in preparation for the fall semester.

I have several important topics I would like to address with you this month in our update, including the following:

• Welcome Back
• Peace Officer Academy Update
• Youth Leadership Camp
• Employee of the Month
• Monthly Bias Update

Welcome Back

With students (new and returning), faculty and staff arriving in the coming weeks, I want to remind the campus community that our DPS staff is here to assist in any way we can. Whether you see our officers at an event, on the Quad or in passing, feel free to ask them any questions or just say hello!

We know that the beginning of the semester can be stressful, and we will be on the lookout to help whenever possible. I urge all of you to download the Orange Safe app and follow us on social media in advance of your return to campus to receive all of the latest updates from DPS.

Peace Officer Academy Update

Our latest peace officer academy is nearing its conclusion. Five new recruits are slated to graduate at the end of this week and will then begin their field training. They will work side-by-side with veteran DPS officers before embarking on solo patrol duties to serve the campus community.

I look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of this group on Friday. To see updates as the academy wraps up, please follow our Instagram page: @SyracuseDPS.

Youth Leadership Camp

Our first annual Youth Leadership Camp recently wrapped up. This collaboration between Syracuse University DPS and the Syracuse City School District Career and Technical Education program brought rising ninth graders to campus for four days. The students participated in an expansive curriculum, including learning sessions that focused on life, career and education skills. The group also got out of the classroom to tour campus, see the athletics facilities, use the esports gaming room, try virtual reality law enforcement scenarios and learn how to use a fire extinguisher.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all our guest instructors who took time out of their schedules to work with this group and the Office of Community Engagement and Government Relations for partnering with us in this endeavor. Our staff at DPS did an exceptional job planning the camp and they are already thinking of ways to expand the program as we plan for next summer.

Employee of the Month: June 2023

I am pleased to share that Officer John Mazurowski has been selected as our June 2023 Employee of the Month.

Officer Mazurowski is being recognized for his exceptional work in response to a burglary alarm in which a suspect was taken into custody without further incident. His efforts kept the situation contained and avoided escalation that could have put others at risk. Congratulations to Officer Mazurowski!

Monthly Bias Update

There are no new updates to share. As a reminder, if we do have additional updates, we will update the chart on our website and share any developments in this monthly email.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I hope you are finding a chance to rest and relax with family and friends this summer. In anticipation of the fall semester, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is hard at work preparing for Syracuse Welcome in August.

In today’s message, I will provide brief comments on the following subjects:

• “Run. Hide. Fight.” Video Updates
• Peace Officer Academy Update
• SU Summer Internship Program
• Donation to Food Bank of Central New York
• Bicycle, Scooter and Skateboard Safety
• Monthly Bias Update

“Run. Hide. Fight.” Video Updates

On Tuesday, July 18, from approximately 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., DPS will be filming updated scenes for the “Run. Hide. Fight.” video. There will be an increased presence of uniformed staff around the Life Sciences Complex during this time.

A reminder will be issued on our social media channels on the morning of the filming. Please follow us on Instagram, Twitter and/or Facebook for the latest information.

Peace Officer Academy Update

Our newest Peace Officer Academy recruits continue to make strides in their training. Since early March they have completed over 680 hours of trainings, including New York State penal, vehicle and traffic laws; crime prevention; ethics and professionalism; a field sobriety testing unit; and successfully passed their physical fitness test. They are now in the process of completing defensive tactics training.

These recruits will continue to gain valuable experience in the coming weeks as the academy nears the finish line. For the latest updates from our academy, please follow DPS on Instagram at @SyracuseDPS.

Summer Internship Program

DPS is proud to be partaking in the University’s Summer Internship program. This collaboration between Syracuse University and the Syracuse City School District Career and Technical Education program places rising high school seniors into a six-week work opportunity that aligns with their chosen learning pathway.

We have the honor of working with three of these wonderful students throughout the next several weeks. They will interact with our entire Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services team. I am eager to see how these students grow by immersing themselves in our day-to-day operation.

Donation to Food Bank of Central New York (CNY)

I would like to highlight our Residential Safety team members who recently worked together to make a difference for the CNY community. Residential Safety Commander Kathy Pabis and Residential Safety Supervisors Eric Wagner and Joseph Parker delivered 106 pounds of food and a cash donation to the Food Bank of Central New York this past month.

The food and monetary donations were collected from several members of the Residential Safety team as part of a walking/step challenge throughout April and May of this year. The monetary donation alone will provide 300 meals for the CNY community. That, coupled with the food donation, is something we hope will make a positive difference in our community.

Bicycle, Scooter and Skateboard Safety

Summer is officially here and that means more members of our campus community will utilize additional means of transportation. Please keep these important safety reminders in mind if you use a bicycle, scooter or skateboard:

• Obey traffic signs and signals—you must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.
• Always wear your helmet.
• Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle and register your bike with DPS.

For more safety tips, visit the safety strategies webpage.

Monthly Bias Update

June 13: DPS has identified individuals believed to be responsible for targeting a Syracuse University student with anti-Asian language. The individuals were issued no trespass warnings.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Hope everyone continues to have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

It was wonderful having so many visitors on our campus this past month. Being able to celebrate a successful Commencement weekend was a fantastic end to the semester. As we head into the summer months, I will continue to provide you important updates from the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In today’s message, I will touch on:

• R.A.D. Summer Session Sign-Ups Open
• Peace Officer Academy Update
• Employee of the Month
• ICAT Training
• Bicycle, Scooter and Skateboard Safety
• Monthly Bias Update

R.A.D. Summer Session Sign-Ups Open

R.A.D., which stands for Rape Aggression Defense, is a nationally known self-defense program. Join the Department of Public Safety for this women-only self-defense course offered exclusively to Syracuse University students, faculty and staff on the following dates:

• Sunday, June 18
• Sunday, June 25
• Sunday, July 9
• Sunday, July 16

All sessions will be held in the Skybarn on South Campus from 5 to 8 p.m. Faculty and staff have the option to attend with their daughters (anyone 18 years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). To learn more and register, visit the DPS website.

Peace Officer Academy Update

I am happy to report that the current group of recruits in our peace officer academy is making excellent progress. Throughout the past several weeks, our recruits have made great strides in their physical fitness training and spent a week going through the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course.

They will continue to tackle many other trainings throughout the next couple of months. For the latest updates from the academy, please follow our Instagram page: @SyracuseDPS.

Employee of the Month: May 2023

I am pleased to share that Office Coordinator Tracy Poushter has been selected as our May 2023 Employee of the Month.

Tracy was selected due to her creation and implementation of a process to digitize and archive administrative files. On top of that, she is extremely flexible with her hours in ways that help our entire operation run smoothly. Congratulations to Tracy!

ICAT Training

DPS is moving forward with ICAT (Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics) training for all sworn personnel. ICAT is a training program developed by the Police Executive Research Forum that provides first responding police officers with the tools, skills and options they need to defuse a range of critical incidents successfully and safely. This initiative was endorsed by the Community Review Board following its review.

Two of our officers became certified instructors in ICAT training earlier this year and thanks to their experience we were able to see how this training would improve DPS. Learn more about ICAT by visiting its training guide webpage.

Bicycle, Scooter and Skateboard Safety

With the warm weather now here, more members of our campus community will utilize additional means of transportation. Please keep these important safety reminders in mind if you use a bicycle, scooter or skateboard:

• Obey traffic signs and signals; bicycles must follow the rules of the road like other vehicles.
• Always wear your helmet!

• Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle and register your bike with DPS.

For more safety tips, visit the Safety Strategies webpage.

Monthly Bias Update

May 23: DPS has identified an individual believed to be responsible for targeting students with harassing and biased messages in a Snapchat group chat. Screenshots provided to DPS show a specific Snapchat user targeting students based on race, gender and sexual orientation. The individual in question has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.

May 19: A Syracuse University student reported on Oct. 7, 2022; Dec. 10, 2022, and May 3, 2023, that hateful language was overheard at Lawrinson Hall that targeted the LGBTQ+ and Roma communities.

Update: DPS has met with the reporting party to gather additional information. Please contact us if you have any knowledge of these incidents.

It is also never too late to come forward with information. You can call DPS at 315.443.2224 or submit information anonymously via the Silent Witness tool. In addition, to report a bias incident or to receive support, visit the STOP Bias website.

Hope everyone has a safe and productive start to the summer!

Sincerely,

Chief Craig A. Stone
Department of Public Safety