Community Members

Present

• Donna Adams
• Lieutenant Joe Cecile
• Harry Lewis
• Laura Madelone
• John Sardino
• Captain Tom Serrao
• Norm Traino
• Karen Ventrone

• Chief Marlene Hall
• Pat McPeak

Karen Ventrone welcomed the group and thanked them for attending.

Statistics

Laura Madelone presented the NSP statistics for the fall semester, the 2nd Quarter (October 15-December 31, 2005) and also a summary of the fall statistics. Laura indicated that the statistics prove that fewer complaint calls are coming in, the patrol officers are doing a great job and are being more proactive and that the number of violations is higher than the number of students referred. This indicates that not all of these violations are involving SU students; some may be from area institutions or may just be young people living in the area.

Also to note, there was a Ticket & Tow detail on January 18, 2006 in the east neighborhood, coordinated by Lt. Shannon Trice of SPD. 39 vehicles were towed.

Captain Tom Serrao presented crime maps and information about the neighborhood activity over winter break. Tom explained that the presence of SPD and DPS in the neighborhood while students were away was a great deterrence for criminal activity. He also feels that students may be behaving more cautiously. Unmarked cars were used during the midnight shift. In reviewing the handouts, Harry Lewis asked what the numbers describe on the crime maps (please see the attachment). Lt. Joe Cecile explained that they indicate the hours in which the crime took place. According to Joe, there were approximately five fewer incidents off campus during the winter break as compared to last year; however, it is important to remember that the incidents over Thanksgiving Break were higher. SPD attributes this to which they believe is one individual being responsible for the rash of robberies. Joe emphasized again that he feels the person responsible is familiar with those homes targeted, possibly by entering the homes during open house parties hosted by the tenants. This individual has been caught and charged with trespassing, but was released because there is no proof to charge him with those burglaries. Laura reinforced that students are continually telling the Office of Off-Campus Student Services that safety is their top priority and the NSP being active while students are away is another example of ways we each demonstrate how important their safety is, and it needs to continue.

Safety Outreach and Education

Laura gave an overview of the outreach and education activities taking place by Syracuse University. Safety off campus is the #1 concern of students, per Laura and the Office of Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS). In January, the OCSS in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety sent a letter to students living off-campus (Please see attachment). The letter included information about safety- and security-related programs in off-campus neighborhoods and important tips to help students promote a safe, secure spring semester. Laura stated again that the reason the number of incidents it lower this year is because of the SPD/DPS presence in the neighborhood; it really makes a difference. The OCSS in conjunction with the Parking and Transit Services Office released a new guide to public transportation for students, faculty, and staff living in the University’s East Neighborhood. Laura distributed copies of these maps at the meeting (Please contact her if you would like a copy). Students have indicated that they walk (sometimes alone) at night because the bus schedule is confusing to interpret. From January 17-19 2006, the OCSS hosted a Winter Warm Up program as part of the new marketing campaign outlining the bus routes in each of the student neighborhoods off-campus. Approximately 500 maps have been distributed by OCSS staff. In February, the OCSS will develop a comprehensive communication plan for parents about off-campus living in conjunction with the Parents Office. Also in February, the OCSS will implement an Adopt-A-Street program. The program will provide Syracuse University student organizations with a long-term service project that will enhance the quality of life for students, faculty, and staff living off -campus and aid in the beautification of the off-campus community. Currently, the OCSS is working with Dr. Roy Baker in Greek Life and Experiential Learning to encourage the fraternities and sororities to participate in this project. Laura explained that in February, the OCSS, in conjunction with its Student Advisory Council, will launch a pilot Community Watch program on the 700 block of Livingston Avenue. The goal of this program is to join residents together and to empower each of them to help reduce crime on their block. A Community Watch Start-Up kit will includes safety tips provided by the Office of Off-Campus Student Services, S.U. Department of Public Safety, and the Syracuse Police Department. Members of each Community Watch group will work together to identify suspicious behavior on their block, and be a resource for pertinent safety and awareness information. Laura asked NSP members how the NSP officers could be involved with Community Watch. Joe said the officers could attend the meetings. Karen Ventrone asked Laura when the meetings will take place, and Laura stated they are still being determined, but she will let Joe know. Laura asked about a universal cell phone number that the SPD officers use while on patrol; Joe said the officers have individual cell numbers. John Sardino added that DPS carries dedicated cell. They could publicize it to students in the Community Watch and then work with SPD.

The OCSS will also launch a web-based survey regarding off-campus student safety; results will be shared with the NSP. Closing out February’s activities, the OCSS will sponsor a Self-Defense Workshop for students living off campus. The workshop is designed to empower attendees by providing options, techniques, and ways of analyzing situations, understanding that the final decision of how to act rests with the individual in the situation.

Laura gave a preview of the upcoming education and outreach efforts. The OCSS and DPS will revise the door hangers used over winter break and add fire safety information. In the fall, the OCSS will publish an off-campus guide for on campus students. This will be a helpful preparation tool for the students planning to move off campus, to get them acquainted with roles and responsibilities of being community members. Karen asked Laura how the NSP could help in her efforts. Laura asked Norm Traino if SPOA would be willing to help distribute information to their tenants. Norm said he felt they would. He also asked if students respond better to e-mail or regular mail, and Laura said e-mail seems to work best. The OCSS will be sending out its Off-Campus Student News newsletter electronically very soon.

Funding

Donna Adams presented the funding chart for the Weekday Patrol, funded by SPOA. Currently, the Weekday Patrol has spent $15,580.00, and $7453.09 remains.

Harry and Karen announced that the Weekend Patrol, funded by an UNSAAC grant requested by SEUNA has spent $25,251.74 to date and has $29,748.26 remaining.

Laura reminded the NSP that starting January 1, 2006, the SPD officers received a rate increase, so that will affect the budget numbers moving forward. Tom asked Joe if the account is responsible to pay retro funds and Joe said it is not.

Karen stated that she is concerned about the Weekday Patrol account funded by SPOA. At this time, the account is overspent and there will not be enough money to cover the end of the year when the weather is better and there is more activity in the neighborhood. Harry stated in the past that if there are remaining funds from the grant, they may be used to pay the SPD officers on the Weekday Patrol for NSP should the account run out. In looking at the breakdown of funds, it is estimated that the UNSAAC funds will have $3432 remaining at the end of the academic year/NSP calendar. The Weekday Patrol account will currently run out of funds on March 1, 2006. The potential cost for the remainder of the year, March 2 through May 10, 2006 is estimated at $7644. This means that in order to continue full operation, the Weekday Patrol account is short an estimated $2621.74. Karen then asked NSP members for ideas on how to manage the deficit. Joe and Tom suggested cutting out weekday patrols in order to save money when the weather gets poor. Central New York is still waiting for this to happen! Laura expressed concern that if the patrol is not visible, students would notice and be unhappy with the change. Tom stated that if concerns are expressed, it would be a good idea to indicate that because we are short funds, we need to cut back and save up for when the activity in the neighborhood is higher (spring time). Joe agreed. Karen thought another possibility would be to cut back one hour per day of the Weekday Patrol (run it from 9 p.m. until midnight). Joe said that SPD officers generally work shifts of 4 hours for their overtime. Joe said he would watch the weather and contact Karen, John and Laura when the weather prediction is poor and he anticipates lower activity and therefore lower coverage.

Laura, John, Karen and Joe discussed making changes to the overall NSP schedule in order to save funds for later in the year. It was decided to tentatively reduce March 10, 11, 17 and 18 from two officers to one, since the activity will be low. April 13, 14 and 15 for Easter weekend and Passover will also be reduced to one officer. May 13 could utilize one officer instead of two, and May 14 could be eliminated completely. Finally, John and Joe discussed cutting down the weekend patrol to one officer from two when the weather is poor; there will be visibility, but less activity and less coverage required. Karen addressed Norm and explained she didn’t want to put him on the spot, however, asked if SPOA would be able to contribute the additional funds for the Weekday Patrol. Norm stated that it is not in SPOA’s budget to do so. Harry stated that John Williams (area landlord) had indicated interest in the NSP and asked if he is a SPOA member; Norm stated that he is not.

As a result of these discussions, Karen will make the schedule changes and send an updated calendar. These changes will: (1) Allow SPOA to fund the Weekday Patrol through February 27, 2006; (2) Leave $9,390 in UNSAAC funds from the Weekend Patrol account; (3) Take the $9,390 to cover from February 28 – May 13, 2006 in the Weekday Patrol with a possible $342.26 remaining.

New Business

Laura and Joe had worked on an article about the NSP in the past and as it turns out, Laura was able to use some of the information for publication in “Impaired Driving.” She will share copies of this magazine when it is published (end of February, beginning of March). Karen thanked Laura and Joe for their efforts.

Karen brought up the discussion of funding for 2006-07. UNSAAC funds for the Weekend Patrol have been requested and are in front of the Common Council/Mayor’s Administration at this time. Expected for the Weekend Patrol is $57,000. Karen stated that SPOA does not set its budget until July-August, but asked Norm if SPOA members would consider increasing the contribution to the Weekday Patrol since the SPD officers’ pay rate increased, and it has been clear that the patrols are effective and necessary to ensure the safety and security for the neighborhood. Norm said that he is not able to speak for the group at this time, but would bring it up to them. Karen offered to put a document together to show the cost and effectiveness of the patrol for Norm to present to SPOA. Norm said this would be helpful. Laura added that students continually state their primary concern is safety in the neighborhood and that if SPOA is committed to student safety, they should really consider this. Norm indicated that he understood and would convey this to the SPOA members.

Miscellaneous

N/A

Next Meeting

March 23, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in 2-202 Center for Science and Technology. Please contact Karen if you cannot attend, or if you need parking arranged.