With the 2019-20 academic year underway, Syracuse University has introduced a series of new safety initiatives designed to evolve to the needs of and enhance services available to students and the campus community, especially during late-night hours. The new initiatives, which reflect feedback provided by students last spring, are the result of collaboration between the Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience and the Division of Business, Finance and Administrative Services.
“Student safety, and the safety of everyone in our campus community, is and always will be our No. 1 priority,” says Tony Callisto, senior vice president and chief law enforcement officer. “We appreciate the feedback we receive from students and others, and strive to align their ideas and input with evolving options for enhanced safety across our campus community.”
The new initiatives are:
Improved Late Night Point-to-Point Safety Shuttle Service. The University is now providing two new fully accessible point-to-point shuttle vans. The new shuttles will pick up and drop off students from on- and near-campus locations. The service is available every day of the academic year between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. As always, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) Safety Shuttle escort can be requested by calling 315.443.7233 (SAFE). The service is free to use with an SU I.D. Students should be mindful that the shuttles will not operate in areas covered by Centro buses during Centro’s hours of operation.
Neighborhood Walking Safety Escort Program. The new neighborhood walking safety escort program is available Thursday through Saturday nights from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Five uniformed, trained and licensed security guards have been hired by DPS to staff the program, which will offer walking safety escorts to students, faculty and staff to and from on- and near-campus locations. When not providing an escort, the safety officers (identified by their bright orange vests or jackets) will be strategically placed along Euclid Avenue, as well as Walnut Park and Marshall Street. They are in contact with the DPS Emergency Communications Center and will proactively offer to walk with students traveling alone.
Neighborhood Video Security Enhancements. The installation of additional video cameras throughout near-campus neighborhoods is in development. DPS and the Syracuse Police Department will collaborate on the effort to purchase and install the new cameras. Further updates will be provided to the community once the cameras are installed.
Robert Hradsky, vice president for the student experience, says students are already making the most of the new safety offerings.
“Fortunately, our students are engaged and enthused about suggesting ways we can enhance their experience—on, off and around campus,” Hradsky says. “Their creative input and the candid conversations we’ve had with student leaders over the last several months have inspired us to make important changes that benefit our students’ safety and well-being, ultimately positioning them for success inside and outside the classroom.”
Questions about the new services or suggestions about future offerings can be directed to dps.syr.edu/about/contact-us/. Additionally, DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado encourages all campus community members to review the department’s recommended safety strategies, all of which are simple steps students, faculty and staff can take to enhance their personal safety on or near campus. These strategies can be found at dps.syr.edu/crime-prevention/safety-strategies.
