{
  "id": "2018-08-28-syracuse-university-fire-alarm-distraction-burglaries-in-watson-and-la",
  "slug": "syracuse-university-fire-alarm-distraction-burglaries-in-watson-and-la-2018-08-28",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Syracuse University",
    "shortName": "Syracuse",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Orange Alert / DPS Notice",
    "enrollment": 22000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2018-08-28",
    "type": "burglary",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Fire-alarm distraction burglaries in Watson and Lawrinson halls",
    "headlinePublic": "Fire-alarm distraction burglaries in Watson and Lawrinson halls",
    "summary": "Syracuse University DPS [published a public safety notice](https://dps.syr.edu/2018/08/28/public-safety-informational-notice-burglaries/). Full text is preserved from the official DPS page.",
    "outcome": "See official DPS notice for investigation status and safety guidance.",
    "casualties": {
      "killed": 0,
      "injured": 0
    }
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Yesterday evening, two different fire alarms were pulled in an effort to create a distraction and to burglarize unlocked residence hall rooms; one in Watson Hall and the other in Lawrinson Hall. Certain personal items including cash, speakers, headphones, wallets, shoes, jewelry and other items were stolen.\n\nOur detectives, along with the Syracuse Police Department, are actively investigating these incidents. If you have information about those responsible for this activity or if you believe you have been a victim of these burglaries, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.\n\nThis kind of activity will not be tolerated and will be investigated with all available resources. We have increased patrols in and around the residence halls. Additionally, we will dispatch additional law enforcement and fire safety staff to fire alarm pull incidents. We have also alerted the residence hall staff to these incidents.\n\nAs a reminder, should a fire alarm go off in your building, follow these useful tips:\n\n•    Anytime you leave your room, whether it is a fire alarm or even if it is only for few minutes to visit a friend, you need to take your key with you and always lock your door.\n\n•    Exit the building in a calm, swift, and safe manner using the exit that is closet to your room.\n\n•    Move away from the building and wait to receive confirmation once it is deemed safe to reenter.\n\n•    Finally, when exiting or entering a residence hall, do not hold the door open for someone behind you; it is expected that everyone is to swipe their SUID card to access our campus buildings.\n\nIf you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety at 315.443.2224.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://dps.syr.edu/2018/08/28/public-safety-informational-notice-burglaries/",
      "sourceDescription": "Syracuse University Department of Public Safety notice",
      "annotations": [
        "Transcribed from official dps.syr.edu public safety notice HTML."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1714,
      "confidence": "high",
      "timestampApprox": "DPS notice dated 2018-08-28"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Syracuse University Department of Public Safety public safety notice series under dps.syr.edu.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official DPS public safety notice preserves campus community warning text."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "official-archive",
      "title": "Public Safety Informational Notice: Burglaries",
      "url": "https://dps.syr.edu/2018/08/28/public-safety-informational-notice-burglaries/",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "syracuse",
    "dps",
    "public-safety-notice",
    "burglary"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}