Public Safety Notices 2025

Public Safety Informational Notice

As we approach the holiday break, the Department of Public Safety reminds all community members to take proactive steps to protect your residences, offices, cubicle spaces and belongings during this time.

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

  • 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 all doors and windows in the residence.
  • If you are leaving your personal vehicle in an unsecured parking lot or on street parking over the winter break, you may want to consider purchasing and applying a steering-wheel lock. In addition, do not leave anything of value visibly inside the vehicle and lock all doors.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Public Safety Informational Notice

The Department of Public Safety has a suspect in custody following an assault incident that occurred on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at approximately 12:46 p.m. in the University Avenue Garage.

A Syracuse University-affiliated individual was returning to their vehicle and found the suspect inside. During the struggle, the victim sustained a non-life-threatening laceration to their hand. DPS officers responded immediately to the scene and apprehended the suspect within minutes. The suspect is not affiliated with Syracuse University.

There is no continuing threat to the Syracuse University community. The investigation is ongoing.

With the uptick in vehicle larcenies and break-ins, we want to remind all of our campus community to always lock your vehicle doors, remove your keys, and ensure no valuables are left in plain sight. Taking these simple precautions can help prevent similar incidents.

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 has recently received concerning reports of vehicle larcenies and break-ins on campus.

The overwhelming majority of these crimes involve unlocked vehicles and vehicles with valuables left in plain sight. Thieves are looking for easy targets. Don’t make your vehicle one of them.

LOCK YOUR DOORS
The most important step you can take to protect your vehicle is to lock your doors anytime you are not present – even if you are only away from it for a few minutes.

REMOVE VALUABLES FROM SIGHT
Visible items like bags, backpacks, cell phones, laptops, tablets and other electronics, wallets, gym equipment, and even loose change attract thieves. If they can see it, they will break in to take it.

To protect yourself and your property:

  • Ensure car windows and doors are locked/secured. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
  • Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle. Take them with you or leave them at home.
  • If you must keep valuables in the car, make sure they can’t be easily seen. Place them in the trunk or under the seat before you arrive at your destination. Keep them out of sight and locked up!
  • Park in well-lit, high pedestrian traffic and visible areas when possible.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when approaching your vehicle.

These simple actions take seconds but can save you from the significant hassle, expense, and violation of having your vehicle broken into.

If you have something stolen or your vehicle is broken into, please don’t hesitate to reach out to DPS. Our non-emergency phone number is 315.443.2224.

Remember: An unlocked vehicle with visible valuables is an open invitation to thieves. Lock it. Hide it. Protect it.

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 has received reports of vehicle larcenies (i.e., items being stolen from inside vehicles) on campus and in the surrounding areas. The majority of these incidents involve access to vehicles left unlocked.

The most important step you can take to protect your vehicle is to lock your doors anytime you are not present – even if you are only away from it for a few minutes – thereby securing the vehicle and activating its alarm.

To protect yourself and your property:

Ensure car windows and doors are locked/secured. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.
Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle.
If you need to keep valuables in the car, make sure they can’t be easily seen, e.g., place them in the trunk. Keep them out of sight and locked up!
Park in well-lit, high pedestrian traffic and visible areas when possible.
Be aware of your surroundings when approaching your vehicle.

If you have something stolen or your vehicle is broken into, please don’t hesitate to reach out to DPS. Our non-emergency phone number is 315.443.2224.

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 Notice – Robbery

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at approximately 5:00 p.m., DPS received a report of a robbery that occurred on the 1200 block of Madison Street. The Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Safety are on the scene and investigating this incident. We ask that you stay away from the area, at this time and that you call DPS at 315.443.2224, should you have information regarding this incident. More information to follow.