Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- A chaotic scene unfolded at the Carrier Dome after
a young man was stabbed during the Orange Madness event, less than a week ago. It was the final straw for Syracuse University, which announced a new initiative to cut crime following a series of violent incidents on and around the SU Hill.
“You hear about these incident, you get the mail, but to actually be there and witness something is a completely different situation,” said sophomore international relations major Pamela Davis.
The scare prompted new rules. Visitors can now expect added metal detection at Dome events and tighter control over ticketing; no more general admission as assigned seating could prevent disputes.
“If the tickets have a seat number on it, the ushers, the yellow-coat security staff, they'll have the ability then to tell somebody this is your seat...this isn't your seat," said SU Public Safety Chief Anthony Callisto.
Beyond campus, more police will watch areas where criminals have targeted student house parties or hangouts. Business owners on the SU Hill have been pushing for help.
"We wanted to get some extra patrols and visually, like in black and white, so they would see the car,” said Marshall Street business owner John Vavalo. "So, I think it will be a good deterrent.”
There are hundreds of security cameras on campus. Now, the university will designate someone to keep an eye on surveillance equipment along the fringes of campus, like Marshall Street.
"They really need to crack down on some of these parties. I think sometimes it is the nature of the parties that is a problem, not so much the fact that there are people from the city coming through the campus. I think the campus is a bit too afraid of the city,” said graduate student Alexandra Elias.
"When I came here, my parents saw the neighborhood and were concerned over the security and over my safety. So, I'm afraid that if these incidents keep on happening, it will discourage new students from coming to SU after they visit,” Davis continued.
Syracuse University hopes the initiative will protect students and first impressions.
