After a pair of robberies occurred over the past two days, students are reminded that although the Syracuse University neighborhood is one of the safest in the city, danger is always present.

Evan DeGorter, a senior broadcast journalism major, was studying in front of the University College building Tuesday at about 10 p.m. when a group of men demanded he turn out his pockets, eventually fleeing west on East Adams Street. In the second incident, a student was beaten and chased down Comstock Avenue by three men who stole the student’s watch at about 1 a.m. Wednesday.

‘In one case last night, the individual complied with their requests, and emptied his pockets and handed over his cash,’ said Capt. Drew Buske of the Department of Public Safety. ‘If you’re approached, comply with their requests and do everything to avoid personal injury.’

In the first incident, the suspects were described as a group of seven black males between 15 and 17 years old. In the second, the student depicted the assailants as three white men in their early 20s.

‘It’s important that, if possible, you travel in a group of two or more, and if you expect that something isn’t right, certainly seek out some assistance,’ Buske said. ‘If your instincts tell you something isn’t right, attract attention to yourself.’

If students feel they are being followed or targeted for a crime, Buske said they should avoid any contact and go to the closest open business or lighted house to seek refuge.

DeGorter urged students to follow Buske’s advice and keep safety in the back of their minds.

‘It did happen close to campus. It’s when you think you’re safe that you’re not really safe,’ DeGorter said. ‘Not to be not trusting, but walk with friends, walk in a group.’

DeGorter, who was studying while he waited for his shift to begin at Maggie’s Tavern, was approached by the men as he studied, who demanded he turn out his pockets.

‘The biggest thing is not to panic. I was scared, I started to shake a little, and that’s when you do something stupid,’ DeGorter said. ‘You just have to know, 10 dollars is not worth getting stabbed, shot, beaten up or whatever. I would’ve given up three or four hundred if he told me to go to the bank.’

In the course of the holdup, DeGorter said he kept his cool and hid his credit cards and cell phone from the men, who only got $11 of his cash.

‘There’re people out there that are like that, and you just have to know how to protect yourself,’ DeGorter said.

Students on campus, however, are aware of the dangers.

‘You have to be smart about it. They see the campus as a target – it’s a private university,’ said Lillian Baharestani, a senior marketing major. ‘I think it’s serendipitous in a way, because we’ll be more aware of our surroundings. But you never want it to happen.’

Others agreed that being aware of the dangers can be crucial to staying safe.

‘The places you’ve got to worry about are the ones that are shady to begin with,’ said Dan Castello, a sophomore majoring in biology. ‘I would encourage people to be physically active and take a self-defense course. Not just for the protection, but for the confidence that comes with it.’

Liz Bienstock, a senior advertising major, was critical of the police’s role in capturing those who commit the robberies.

‘Every time, they never catch them, they never catch any of them,’ she said. ‘The cops are more worried about underage drinking than safety in the area.’

Buske urged anyone with information about the robberies to contact the Department of Public Safety at (315) 443-2224, or the Syracuse Police Department at (315) 442-5222.

Published on September 1, 2004 at 12:00 pm