The 2018 version of Your Safety and Security at Syracuse University is now available. This report documents the past three calendar years’ information about select campus crimes, including statistics, and detail the school’s security policies and procedures.
News
National Test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, October 3
On Wednesday, October 3, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 3. The WEA portion of the test commences at 2:18 p.m. EDT, and the EAS portion follows at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure for distribution of a national message and determine whether improvements are needed.
The WEA test message will be sent to cell phones that are connected to wireless providers participating in WEA. This is the fourth EAS nationwide test and the first national WEA test. Previous EAS national tests were conducted in November 2011, September 2016, and September 2017 in collaboration with the FCC, broadcasters, and emergency management officials in recognition of FEMA’s National Preparedness Month.
The EAS is a national public warning system that provides the President with the communications capability to address the nation during a national emergency. The test is made available to EAS participants (i.e., radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers) and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test message will be similar to regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. The EAS message will include a reference to the WEA test:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test message has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will receive the message; others will not. No action is required.”
Cell towers will broadcast the WEA test for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 2:18 p.m. EDT. During this time, WEA compatible cell phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA should be capable of receiving the test message. Some cell phones will not receive the test message, and cell phones should only receive the message once. The WEA test message will have a header that reads “Presidential Alert” and text that says:
“THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones. The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (i.e. Tornado Warning, AMBER Alert). Users cannot opt out of the WEA test.
ASL Video PSA: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/168912
Important Safety Resources and Information
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Now that a new semester is underway, the Department of Public Safety wants to remind all members of our campus community about important safety services and information that can help make your semester enjoyable and safe.
Safety Strategies – While your chances of being a victim of a crime are actually very low, it is still important to be aware of certain safety strategies while at Syracuse University:
- Always lock your windows and doors, even if you are only going to be away from your room for a short period of time or while you are sleeping at night. Criminals look for opportunities, like an open window or unlocked door.
- Keep your stuff with you! Never leave cell phones, laptops, wallets or other valuables behind – it only takes a few seconds for someone to walk away with them!
- Use a U-bolt locking device for your bicycle and register your bike with DPS.
- Never walk alone. While your chances of being a victim of a crime are actually very low, most street crime incidents occur at night and usually involve students walking alone or with just one other person.
LiveSafe – Connecting with DPS is as easy as opening an app on your smartphone. With LiveSafe, you can call DPS or 911 in the event of an emergency, report tips including videos and pictures, or use the SafeWalk feature, which permits you to virtually share your location with friends as you walk to a destination. Download the app today!
Orange Alert – This is the University’s crisis notification system, designed to provide rapid notification and instruction in the event of a crisis in progress. We perform a test of this system every semester and will be scheduling one for the upcoming month. In addition, due to our expanding campus, we recently added two more sirens to our system; one on the top of the Whitman School and the other on the top of Falk College. Please log into MySlice to verify that your contact information is up to date.
Run.Hide.Fight. – While an active shooter situation is unlikely, it is important to be prepared. We have put together a video for you to understand the importance of these three words: Run.Hide.Fight.
Text SUSAFE to 444-999 – Adding important Syracuse University safety and support contact information is also quick and simple! When you text SUSAFE to 444-999 you will be sent a link to download a contact card that you can save right to the contact list on your phone.
Finally, remember that the Department of Public Safety is here for you 24/7. We can be reached anytime at 315.443.2224 or on the LiveSafe app.
Sincerely,
Chief Bobby Maldonado
Text SUSafe to 444-999 to Download Important University Contacts
The Divisions of Campus Safety and Emergency Services and Enrollment and the Student Experience are rolling out a new initiative to make storing relevant campus safety information on your cell phone easier. With a simple download, you will be able to import contact cards that contain information for the following campus resources:
- Department of Public Safety
- Safety Escorts
- Syracuse University Ambulance
- Counseling Center
- Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team
- Title IX Office
- Student Assistance
Once you download the contact cards, it will automatically save information, including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, websites, and other links, for the above listed resources, to the address book in your cell phone.
To download the contact cards, text “SUSafe” to 444-999 to get both contact cards added to your cell phone today; follow this link to start the download; or a text message will be sent to your cell phone tomorrow with a link to download the cards.
Once you send the text, follow the instructions below to download the contact cards:
- You will receive a text with a download link shorty after.
- Click the download link in your texting application. You will now be brought to a KeynectUp web page with a link to the contact card.
- Click “download card” or “open in contacts” on the KeynectUp web page. The contact card will now be brought to your contact book.
- Click “save” or “open in contacts” on the web page. That is it, you are done!
If you have any problems with downloading the card, you can reach out to KeynectUp directly via text or phone call at 603.531.3211 or by email at support@keynectup.com.
Finally, during this introductory period only, our service provider, KeynectUp, will draw the phone number of one user, and our lucky winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card! You must complete the download in order to be entered for the drawing.
Officer Franklin Recognized
This morning, at the Center of Excellence, Community Services Officer Franklin was recognized for her actions as it related to a larceny investigation. She was presented with the following letter:
I would like to recognize you on your individual actions relative to a Larceny investigation that occurred on August 6, 2018 at 727 E. Washington Street, The Center of Excellence (COE).
As you arrived at work on this date, you noticed some of your personal belongings were missing from a desk you maintain in the lobby of the building. You took the initiative to check the CCTV cameras in and around the building. At 2:08 am, you were able to capture a person of interest pulling on the entrance doors eventually finding an open door. This person was then observed entering the building and rummaging through the desk, you operate during your tour of duty. The camera footage was saved and turned over to the responding DPS Patrol Officer who completed a report under case number 18-405106.
The next evening on August 7, 2018 this same person of interest came back to the Center of Excellence (COE) and tried to gain entry, however this time she was denied. You once again took the initiative to check the CCTV cameras and two still photos were captured and forwarded to the DPS Investigations Section for further review.
As a result of your work, the photos were distributed to the different police agencies in Onondaga County through the Onondaga County Crime Analysis Unit. As a result, an identification was made by a member of the Syracuse Police Department Patrol Section and an arrest was made on the person captured in the photos you provided for Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny.
Your actions reflect your commitment to the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and the University community and are characteristic of your individual and collective concern for the safety and security of all members of the community. You have done much to advance the Department of Public Safety’s reputation as a professional law enforcement entity. You have brought great credit upon yourself and the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and you have set a fine example for other officers to follow.
It is my pleasure to award you this letter of recognition.
Sincerely,
Detective Michael Toia