Public Safety Notices 2024

On Sunday, Oct. 6, just before 2 a.m., officers from the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), responded to 938 Ackerman Ave. for a reported fight. When officers arrived, the fight dispersed and several people, including those believed to be the suspects, fled the scene eastbound away from campus on foot. Two students sustained lacerations, believed to be caused by an unknown weapon, that required stitches and are being treated at a local hospital.

The suspects are described as males wearing black ski masks and black clothing. SPD, the primary investigating agency, asks that 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.

With the semester in full swing, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) asks that you take a few minutes to review some important reminders about how to keep your property safe from theft.

Keep your bicycle and scooter safe

There have been several reports of stolen bikes and scooters on campus since the start of the school year. Please note the following best practices for locking your bicycle or scooter:

Secure Locations: Lock your bike or scooter in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
Proper Fit: Use a sturdy lock and ensure the lock fits snugly around the frame and wheel.
Avoid Obstructions: Avoid locking your bike or scooter near obstacles that could make it easier for thieves to access.

DPS always recommends using a U-bolt type of lock to better secure your bicycle/scooter and deter theft. These locks are available at the Syracuse University Bookstore in the Schine Student Center, as well as at most local retail stores and bicycle shops, and online retailers.

In addition, please consider registering your bicycle and/or scooter with DPS. To do that, complete this form to set up an appointment with an officer. A registration number will be affixed to your bicycle, and that information will be kept on record.

Don’t lose your packages

There has also been an uptick in package thefts on South Campus in recent days. Please note the following important steps you can take to protect your packages from theft:

Protect your packages!
• When ordering from Amazon, consider the option of having the package delivered to a secure Amazon hub instead of your doorstep, especially if it’s a particularly valuable item.
• For packages being delivered via UPS, FedEx or USPS, consider requiring a signature for delivery or arranging to pick the package up from a UPS, FedEx or USPS location.
• Do not have packages delivered to your residence hall, apartment, or home while you are away for an extended period. If you can, schedule the package to be delivered at a day and time when you know you will be home.
• Sign up for the carrier’s text message notifications so you know when a package has been delivered. Retrieve it promptly or ask a roommate to grab it if they will be home when it’s delivered.
• Do not prop open doors, and do not hold secure doors open for strangers. Politely ask them to use their key instead.
• Report suspicious activity to DPS immediately. If you witness a package theft in progress, call DPS and be prepared to provide a description of the person involved if you can.

If you see anything suspicious or to report a crime, please call DPS at 315.443.2224, by dialing #78 (#SU) from your cell phone, or dialing 711 from a campus landline. If you would like to anonymously report NON-EMERGENCY information to DPS, you can use the Silent Witness tool or the Orange Safe app.

The DPS office on Main Campus is located at 005 Sims Hall, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For our DPS Substation at 101 Marshall Street, hours of operation can be found here. You can also speak with Public Safety employees at security desks and other locations around campus.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, just before 2 a.m., officers from the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) were patrolling the Marshall Street area when a fight broke out. The fight resulted in two individuals – not affiliated with Syracuse University – sustaining non-life-threatening stabbing wounds. No individuals affiliated with Syracuse University were involved.

SPD was already on the scene at the time the fight broke out and immediately took one suspect into custody. SPD is leading this investigation and is seeking the public’s help identifying any other individuals who may have been involved.

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.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Hinds Hall was evacuated due to a small roof fire. Fire and Life Safety Services and the Syracuse Fire Department responded to the scene to assess the damage. They have since completed their inspection and determined it was safe to reopen. As of 12 p.m., Hinds Hall is reopened and has resumed standard operations.

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

With a new semester underway, I am writing today to provide reminders about how to be securing your space and protecting yourself and your property. This is especially important as larcenies, burglaries, vehicle thefts and break-ins are more common when our community members first return to campus.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) are urging the Syracuse University and surrounding communities to be aware of their surroundings and take actions necessary to keep themselves and their property safe. In addition to encouraging vigilance, DPS and SPD have increased presence and patrols on and around campus. We ask our community members, particularly those living in adjacent off-campus neighborhoods, to remain alert for suspicious activity and take the following action to protect themselves and secure their space:

* Always lock your windows and doors – both when you’re home and before you leave your residence.
* 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.
* Lock windows on the ground level of your residence.
* Do not leave any valuable items near windows. Take pictures of anything valuable and ensure that you have installed tracking software (e.g. Find my iPhone) and documented the serial numbers of all electronic devices.
* If you have a security alarm, make sure you turn it on when leaving your residence.
* Always secure your residence, even if you leave for a few minutes.

If you utilize your personal vehicle on and off campus, please:

* Always lock your vehicle.
* Be sure all windows on your vehicle are closed
* Do not leave items in your vehicle and if you do, be sure they are not visible to anyone looking in (e.g. place them in the trunk).
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If you see anything suspicious on-campus, please call DPS at 315.443.2224 or use the Orange Safe app. For off-campus suspicious activity, call the Syracuse Police Department at 315.442.5111. If you observe an immediate threat to safety, call 911.

As a reminder, the Department of Public Safety is a 24/7 operation and always available to you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you observe anything concerning. Our recommended safety strategies can be found on our website.