DPS to increase presence on South Campus during winter holiday
The Department of Public Safety is increasing South Campus security during the winter holiday after South Campus apartments were burglarized during Thanksgiving break and the last few weeks of the semester.
DPS is still in the midst of conducting lock checks for apartments on South Campus, said Ryan Beauford, lieutenant for crime prevention and community relations of DPS.
Beauford said the process was still ongoing Wednesday and that DPS expected to finish the checks that afternoon. Every apartment on South Campus was being checked, he said.
‘We are checking the front door, the back door and windows for each apartment,’ Beauford said.
Beauford could not say whether DPS had found any unsecured apartments but did say DPS would secure and lock any apartments found unlocked.
Along with the lock checks, DPS is placing more patrols in the area to deter any robberies.
‘The patrol division has been advised to have a greater uniform presence in the South Campus area. They were advised to be mindful of areas that have been hit in the past,’ Beauford said. ‘We will be more diligent in patrol efforts during the break, as well.’
Beauford said DPS has also been working with the Office of Residence Life and FIXit to keep South Campus well lit during the break.
The University Village and Jamesville Avenue entrances to South Campus will be locked until Jan. 14, according to an e-mail sent to South Campus residents from the Office of Residence Life on Dec. 16. The only access to South Campus will be through the welcome station on Skytop Road, according to the e-mail.
There have not been any reported break-ins since finals let out, Beauford said. He also said students should remember the simple steps they can take to increase their security on South Campus.
‘If students see something, we ask them to pick up a phone and report it, we ask that residence secure their apartments by closing their blinds and not leaving any valuables in plain sight,’ Beauford said. ‘We need student help as well to help safeguard and secure the area.’
Published on December 21, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Contact Meghin: medelane@syr.edu | @meghinwithani