Public Safety Notices

Public Safety Informational Notice: Preparing Residences for Spring Break

As spring break approaches many of you will depart our campus during the next couple of days. 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 doors and windows.
  • Close all curtains/blinds.
  • Make sure to lock your door.
  • 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 know 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.
  • Be sure your outdoor lighting is working and sufficient.
  • Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
  • Take anything valuable home with you, i.e. 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.

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 all safe travels and a restful spring break.

Public Safety Informational Notice: FALSE Bomb Threat Reported at Maxwell, Confirmed to be FALSE

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) received FALSE report of a bomb threat at Maxwell Hall at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 16. We determined this report to be false following a quick response from DPS and Syracuse Police Department (SPD) and an urgent review of all available video footage around the area. Together with our law enforcement partners, we are investigating who is responsible for making this false report, as well as the false reports we received last earlier this week. If you have any information, please contact DPS or local police. We recognize these incidents have sparked concerns among members of our community, as always, counseling services are available to students through the Barnes Center and to faculty and staff through Carebridge.

Public Safety Informational Notice: FALSE active shooter report called in to law enforcement, confirmed to be FALSE

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) received another FALSE report of an active shooter at Maxwell Hall and Eggers Hall at 11:47 a.m. on Monday, February 12. We determined this report to be false following a quick response from DPS and Syracuse Police Department (SPD) units and a thorough review of all available video footage around the area. Together with our law enforcement partners, we are investigating who is responsible for making this false report, as well as the false report we received Sunday evening. If you have any information, please contact DPS or local police.

Public Safety Informational Notice: FALSE Report Called in to Law Enforcement, Confirmed to be FALSE

Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a FALSE report of an active shooter at Maxwell Hall and Eggers Hall. We quickly determined this report was false following an immediate review of available video footage and confirmed by swiftly dispatched DPS and Syracuse Police Department (SPD) units. Together with our law enforcement partners, we are investigating who is responsible for making this false report. If you have any information, please contact DPS or local police.

Public Safety Informational Notice: Secure Your Residence Before Leaving for Winter Break

Final exams have arrived and over the next week 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, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings.

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

• Secure doors and windows.
• Close all curtains/blinds.
• Make sure to lock your door.
• 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 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.
• Lock sliding glass doors and place a wooden dowel or metal bar in the track of the door.
• Take anything valuable home with you, i.e. 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 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 restful winter break.