SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – On October 1st, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety sent out a campus-wide email stating that they were “…actively investigating several off campus burglaries that have occurred in the 200 block of Comstock Avenue.” Syracuse University senior Bari Sabety is a resident on that block, and was one of the victims of the recent spike in burglaries.
At the beginning of the semester, Sabety stepped outside of her apartment and noticed something off with her car.
“I noticed that on my glove compartment, that the piece that locks the glove compartment was missing, and it looked liked someone keyed [the lock] out,” said Sabety. “There were scratch marks all around it”.
Sabety was far from being the only one on her block affected. She said that within just the past two days, two of her neighbors have had their car windows smashed. Incidents such as those prompted the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety to send out a campus-wide email with information on how to prevent future break-ins.
Deputy Chief John Sardino explained why Comstock is such a popular spot for burglaries.
“Once someone has identified that they can walk right into an open door, or pull open a screen, or if a window is not locked on ground level, they come back until things have dried up,” he said.
According to Deputy Chief Sardino, there have been four reported burglaries on that lock this semester. However, students like Sabety have opted to not report their instances due to the fact that she felt opening a case without evidence “wasn’t worth it”.
To keep Comstock Avenue safe, Sardino said that DPS officers have been going door to door to check in with residents and to remind them to keep their valuables locked up and in check. However, that may be all they can do, as Sardino explained that DPS’ jurisdiction only goes so far.
“DPS’ jurisdiction is based on properties that the university owns operates or control,” Sardino said. “The 200 block of Comstock is an area that DPS patrols, but cannot make an arrest from.”
Sardino urges students to review the email from last week and use their tips to stay safe.
