Syracuse, N.Y.- The mass return of students to Syracuse in the last six weeks has brought with it an influx in crime, according to data collected by SU’s Department of Public Services.
The month of September saw 216 reported instances of crime, by far the highest number out of the year’s previous eight months.
And October may be even worse. With 92 recorded offenses through the first eleven days, this month looks poised to surpass the numbers put up by the last five Octobers.
SU Crime Spiking from Newhouse BDJ on Vimeo.
Campus crime recorded (by the number of reports) for 2010:
- January: 113
- February: 153
- March: 119
- April: 140
- May: 108
- June: 41 (Summer Month)
- July: 35 (Summer Month)
- August: 38 (Summer Month)
- September: 216
- October: 92 (Through Oct. 11)
DPS Trying to Spread Safety Tips
With each reported crime on or around campus, SU’s DPS sends emails to students.
The emails serve what Lt. Ryan Beauford hopes to be two valuable purposes; students get to see which areas are hit hardest by crime and by reading will hopefully take the necessary precautions to avoid similar dangerous situations.
“Being aware, being educated about what’s going on around you is really the first line of defense to reducing victim profiles,” said Beauford.
While crime numbers continue to climb though, some students are heeding DPS’ advice. By reading the emails, SU freshman Rachel Marks has given more consideration to the way she gets home at night.
“A lot of (the crimes), though, I feel could be avoidable,” said Marks. “A lot of (the emails) say things like, ‘were walking alone at three in the morning,’ so you have to be smart about it.”
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