Here are three Syracuse new stories you may have missed this weekend.

Syracuse University to expand shuttle, safety escort services

Syracuse University announced expansions to its late-night shuttle system and safety escort patrol program in a campus-wide email from Keith Alford, SU’s interim chief diversity officer, on Thursday.

Shuttle 44, which provides free late-night transportation services for SU students, faculty and staff, will grow to include two drivers and vans, Alford said. Licensed, unarmed security staff will also patrol areas north and east of campus as part of the university’s safety escort patrol program.

The security staff will communicate with SU’s Department of Public Safety via radio. They will also wear reflective outerwear with “DPS SAFETY ESCORT” written on the front and back.

A campus safety forum was held on Feb. 18 after the assault of three students of color on Ackerman Avenue earlier that month. Students at the forum presented several demands for the university and DPS to address, including increasing the availability of late-night transportation options.

Syracuse properties at risk for seizure by city

The city of Syracuse could seize more than 2,500 properties in downtown Syracuse if county property taxes are unpaid by April 6, Syracuse.com reported.

Syracuse placed a lien, also known as a “tax sale redemption notice,” on the properties for unpaid county taxes, giving the owners a year to pay the bills, per Syracuse.com. If the owners do not pay, the city could seize the properties.

The city works with the Greater Syracuse Land Bank to selectively foreclose properties that could be sold or redeveloped, according to Syracuse.com. Properties are not immediately seized and sold by the city, and no tax auction is held, per Syracuse.com.

Mayor, police chief working to resolve police tensions

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh is working with Syracuse Police Department Chief Kenton Buckner to resolve tensions within the police department, Walsh told CNYCentral on Friday.

Several SPD officers refused to attend Syracuse’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade due to tensions with Buckner, Syracuse.com reported. Jeff Piedmonte, president of the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association, said officers are frustrated with Buckner’s actions and words, but did not disclose their specific grievances, according to Syracuse.com.

Buckner said in an interview with CNYCentral that he experienced similar tensions when he took on his former role as police chief of the Little Rock Police Department, and also expected similar tensions when transferring to his position in Syracuse.

Published on March 31, 2019 at 10:56 pm

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu