Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
It is hard to believe we have reached the final weeks of the spring semester. I hope it has been a rewarding and enjoyable year for all of you at Syracuse University. Please stay safe as the semester winds down.
In my last update of the semester, I will touch on:
- DPS Game Night Giveaway
- R.A.D. Summer Session Sign-Ups Open
- Earth Day Clean-Up
- Employees of the Month
- Safety Strategies
- Monthly Bias Update
DPS Game Night Giveaway
Our final DPS game night of the semester is this Wednesday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Schine Student Center. I hope you’ll consider joining us to celebrate a successful semester of game nights. We will be running a giveaway contest—stop by our table at game night to find out how you can win a Syracuse University jersey or even your own SpikeBall set! Be sure to mark your calendar and follow us on social media for more information @SyracuseDPS.
R.A.D. Summer Session Sign-Ups Open
R.A.D., which stands for Rape Aggression Defense, is a nationally known self-defense program. The program uses realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for individuals who want to learn such 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.
Join the Department of Public Safety for a 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 under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). To learn more and register, visit the DPS website.
Earth Day Clean-Up
In celebration of Earth Day, DPS partnered with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to organize a neighborhood clean-up. The turnout was outstanding, with more than 100 students taking time out of their Saturday morning to help make a positive difference for our campus community. DPS is looking forward to continuing this initiative in the future. To learn more about the clean-up, please visit our Instagram page: @SyracuseDPS.
Employees of the Month—April 2023
I am pleased to share that Community Service Officer (CSO) Martha Farmer and Officer Greg Scheurer have been selected as our April 2023 Employees of the Month.
CSO Farmer was selected because of the countless times she has gone above and beyond for the campus community during her 15 years with us. She is always looking out for other team members, making sure to help in any way she can. She thoroughly enjoys getting to know the students, chatting with parents and families, and working athletics events. CSO Farmer was even personally invited by the students to attend the department graduation at Peck Hall this year. It is great to see our staff connecting with the campus community.
Meanwhile, Officer Scheurer was instrumental in resolving two recent cases. These include a larceny case in Bird Library and the successful resolution of a bias incident in Watson Hall. In one case, Officer Scheurer responded to a larceny in progress at Bird Library and was able to locate and arrest the suspect. In the second case, Officer Scheurer responded to Watson Hall regarding a bias incident, conducted a thorough investigation and was able to locate the student/suspect that made a derogatory remark. I am proud of Officer Scheurer’s efforts and appreciate his commitment to the safety and well-being of our campus community.
Congratulations to this month’s honorees.
Safety Strategies
As the semester wraps up and the weather gets nicer, I want to remind you all that we usually see an uptick in crime. It is essential to remain vigilant to ensure a safe and secure environment over the next couple of weeks. I’d like to remind you of some steps you can take to keep yourself and your property safe.
- Lock your doors and windows, even if you are going to be away for just a short period of time.
- Hide or lock up your valuables; do not leave them where criminals can easily see them.
- Remind your roommates to take the same action.
- Remain vigilant.
For more safety tips, visit the Safety Strategies webpage.
Monthly Bias Update
March 27: A University employee reported the theft of two flags, the Haudenosaunee flag and the LGBTQ+ flag. The flags were among those flown on flag poles on the Quad outside of Hendricks Chapel.
Update: Through extensive review of video footage DPS was able to follow a lead that successfully resulted in the return of the flags from a non-affiliate. The flags were also returned with Syracuse University branded banners, which were also stolen during the incident.
April 13: A Lawrinson Hall resident advisor reported that a resident received a note that was slid under their door that included a homophobic/anti-LGBTQ+ slur.
Update: Additional interviews have been conducted. We continue to investigate and request that anyone who may have information about this incident contact us.
April 21: A Syracuse University student reported receiving a hateful message from an unknown user via Facebook messenger. The message contained hateful language targeting the Hindu religion.
Update: DPS officers met with the student to gather additional information. Support resources and services were offered to the student. DPS is continuing to investigate the origin of the message, which at this time remains unknown. We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident contact us.
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.
Thank you all for making my first full year in Syracuse such a rewarding experience. I am already looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces back here in August. Lastly, to the Class of 2023, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Craig A. Stone
Associate Vice President and Chief
Department of Public Safety