Message from DPS Chief Callisto about today’s ORANGE ALERT activation

Message from DPS Chief Callisto about today’s ORANGE ALERT activationNovember 24, 2008SU News Servicessunews@syr.edu

To the University community:

Earlier today, the Department of Public Safety successfully activated its first real-situation use of the ORANGE ALERT emergency notification system, immediately after verification of a shooting at the 900 block of Madison Street, just blocks from campus.

The message–dispatched via text, e-mail and phone–reached more than 27,000 registered students, faculty and staff members, and informed these recipients to seek shelter, lock or barricade the door, and await further instructions.

While almost everyone followed these instructions, some who were observed walking around outside on or near campus told Public Safety officers that they had seen the ORANGE ALERT message but chose not to stay in or seek a safe location. It is vitally important that everyone on campus follow any and all instructions sent through an ORANGE ALERT, and when instructed to seek shelter, immediately enter the closest building and remain there until informed otherwise.

As quickly as Public Safety has additional information in any crisis situation, we will put it out. In this case, we broadcast updated information within 45 minutes of the initial message, notifying the community there was no longer a potential threat and to resume normal campus activities.

Also, to avoid tying up our phone lines during critical moments such as these, only contact Public Safety if you have information related to the situation at hand. Please note that an ORANGE ALERT is real unless the alert actually says the word “test.” And remember to keep emergency contact information updated by logging into MySlice. Further instructions on the ORANGE ALERT system can be found at http://publicsafety.syr.edu/orange_alert/.

Fortunately, this situation did not affect anyone within the campus community and it was quickly determined that there was no threat to our campus. Thank you for your calm, collected and proactive behavior earlier today. Your efforts in maintaining a safe and secure educational environment are very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Chief Anthony Callisto, Jr.

Director of Public SafetySyracuse University