Public Safety Notices

Public Safety Notice: Armed Robbery on Van Buren Street

The Department of Public Safety and the Syracuse Police Department are investigating the report of an armed robbery complaint that occurred last night, Tuesday, February 25, at around 11:30 p.m. It happened on Van Buren Street near the BBB complex.

A Syracuse University student reported walking on Van Buren when an unknown male approached him, displayed a gun and demanded the student hand over their iPhone and Airpods. The student complied and the suspect fled on foot away from campus.

The suspect is described as an adult male with long hair wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, light colored jeans and Nike sneakers.

If you were in the vicinity at the time and witnessed the incident, 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 or the Orange Safe app.

If you or someone you know has been affected by an incident on or near campus, please know that there are resources available to you. In addition, for your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Public Safety Informational Notice

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is actively investigating multiple reports of criminal mischief and vehicle larcenies. The reports occurred primarily in the east neighborhood area, particularly around the 100 and 200 blocks of Comstock Ave.

We ask our community members, particularly those living in off-campus neighborhoods, to remain alert for suspicious activity. To enhance your safety and protect your personal belongings, we recommend taking the following steps:

  • Park your vehicle in an area you are familiar with and that has proper lighting;
  • Close and lock all windows and doors;
  • Store valuable items in secure places where they are out of plain sight, such as a glove box or trunk and bring items like your laptop computer or phone inside with you;
  • Do not leave your keys in the vehicle or your vehicle running; and
  • Report all suspicious activity and behavior immediately.

Please contact DPS at 315.443.2224 if you have any information regarding these recent crimes. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information for DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool.

This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Public Safety Informational Notice

On Thursday, December 19, shortly before 11:30 a.m., the Department of Public Safety received a report of a deceased individual on the fifth floor of Huntington Hall. Both DPS and Syracuse Police responded to the scene.

There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office has since removed the deceased from the building. The individual was not affiliated with Syracuse University.

To report an emergency, 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 or the Orange Safe App.

If you or someone you know has been affected by an incident on or near campus, please know that there are resources available to you. In addition, for your safety, please review these suggested safety strategies.

This public safety information is issued for your safety in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act.

Public Safety Informational Notice

Final exams have almost arrived and soon many of you will depart our campus for the winter break. The Department of Public Safety is reminding the University community to take the necessary steps to protect your residences and belongings before you leave.

For those of you who live on campus, please take the following steps to secure your space:
• Secure and lock all doors and windows.
• Close all curtains/blinds.
• Unplug all electrical items, except refrigerators.
• Do not give your keys out.
• Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record including serial numbers.
• Do not leave credit cards, checkbooks, cash or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you realize they are gone.

If you live off campus, please:
• Make your residence appear occupied; consider buying a timer that automatically turns on interior and exterior lights at a predetermined time, or when there is motion.
• Use dusk to dawn light bulbs and/or make sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient and contact your landlord if it is not.
• Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
• Take anything valuable home with you, e.g. laptop computer, video game console, jewelry, etc.
• Do not leave any valuable items near windows. Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure that you have installed tracking software and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
• Unplug all electrical items, except your refrigerator and timers.
• If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving.
• If you see anything suspicious, for on-campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app or for off-campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.

Even during the winter break, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 315.443.2224 if you observe anything concerning. As always, our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.

Wishing you all safe travels, a happy holiday season and a restful winter break.

Public Safety Informational Notice

With the holiday break quickly approaching, please take necessary action to protect your residences, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings.

For those who live and work on campus, please take the following steps to secure your personal and work space:

• Securely lock doors and windows.
• Close all curtains/blinds.
• Make sure to lock your door.
• Unplug all electrical items, except refrigerators.
• Do not leave your keys in a visible area.
• Mark/engrave all items of value and keep a record including serial numbers.
• Do not leave credit cards, checkbooks, cash or other valuables readily accessible; these can be taken and used by a thief before you know they are gone.

If you live off campus, please:
• Make your residence look occupied; consider buying a timer that automatically turns on interior and exterior lights at a predetermined time, or when there is motion.
• Be sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient/use dusk to dawn light bulbs.
• Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
• Take anything valuable home with you, e.g. laptop computer, video game console, jewelry, etc.
• Do not leave any valuable items near windows. Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure you have installed tracking software and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
• Unplug all electrical items, except your refrigerator and timers.
• If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving.
• If you are leaving your vehicle here while traveling, do not leave anything of value visibly inside the vehicle and lock all doors.
• Consider placing your bicycle indoors while you are out of town.

If you see anything suspicious, for on-campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app or for off-campus, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111.

While many members of our community will be traveling during the break, many will remain here on campus. As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is always working and available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you observe anything concerning. As always, our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.

Wishing you a safe, happy and restful holiday.