Updates
Public Safety: Toy Donations, No Tailgating, Resources
Cops, Kids & Toys – Every holiday season, Cornell Police give back to the community through the Cops, Kids & Toys program, which provides toys for local families in need. Donations are accepted through Monday, Dec. 1: You can drop new, unwrapped toys in bins at the Cornell Police offices in Barton Hall or make a monetary donation online or by check. The application deadline for families seeking to receive gifts is Dec. 1.
No Tailgating – Tailgating is the practice of hurrying through a secured door before it shuts, on the heels of an authorized person. I know you don’t want to be rude, but please do not let strangers into secure facilities. If someone is supposed to be there, they will have their own key or access card.
Public Safety Resources – Are you in need of information, guidance, or support but don’t know where to begin? The Division of Public Safety resource page will help you find your way. We cover a wide range of topics from weather preparedness and emergency notifications, to where you can access health and well-being support for yourself or someone else.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Halloween, Turn ’Em On, Time Change
Halloween – If you’re celebrating Halloween, please do so safely. Keep an eye on friends and use the buddy system. Know the signs of an alcohol emergency and know what to do. Alcohol use does not cause sexual assault, but it can be a contributing factor — if you see someone who looks unwell or unaware or you notice something is off, be a prosocial bystander and intervene. Contact the Public Safety Communications Center at 607-255-1111 or through the Rave Guardian app, or dial 911 for any emergency. Help is always available, and remember that our Good Sam policy applies.
Other safety tips: Consider the weather forecast before you go; follow these fire safety tips for your costumes and decorations; do not carry realistic weapons; and, most of all, be respectful to others.
Turn ’Em On – On Halloween weekends, pedestrians are not always dressed in a way that makes them visible to drivers. Be aware of people crossing or walking in the street and turn your headlights on (daytime running lights don’t count!) at dusk and in the rain, primarily so others can see YOU — it’s the law. If you are on foot: Put your phone down, be visible, use available sidewalks, and cross in designated crosswalks.
Time Change – Remember that clocks fall back to standard time on Nov. 2 at 2 a.m. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep! The time change also means it will get dark earlier, so take the time to see and be seen as you move through campus. Now is a great time to verify that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working correctly and change the batteries.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Cybersecurity Month, Domestic Violence, Cable Locks
Cybersecurity Month Tips – All members of the Cornell community share the responsibility of practicing good cybersecurity habits. Keep your personal and Cornell-managed devices secure by regularly updating your software. Phishing attempts target Cornell staff, faculty, and students every day; learn to spot suspicious activity.
Domestic Violence Resources – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we work together with our community to prevent domestic violence and provide care for victims. If you or someone you know is a victim of intimate partner violence, know that help is available.
Cable Locks Don’t Cut it – If you give your bike or scooter some alone time this semester, please lock it up using a U-Lock. Cable locks are easily defeated. To report a bike or scooter theft, please call 607-255-1111 or use the Rave Guardian app.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Reporting Bias, Scooter Etiquette, Flu Season
Reporting Bias – There is no place for bigotry, intolerance, hate, or violence at Cornell. The Division of Public Safety works closely with many campus and community partners to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. We thoroughly investigate all crimes reported to us, including harassment, and work to hold violators accountable. Please report incidents of protected status bias, discrimination, and harassment through the online reporting form. To report criminal activity, including hate crimes, contact Cornell Police. For guidance, call the Public Safety Communications Center — available 24 hours a day.
Scooter Etiquette – Operators of e-scooters and other personal mobility devices are required to follow all traffic laws. Devices must be parked responsibly in designated bike racks to prevent blocking sidewalks and building entrances. They must also be registered, safely charged, and properly stored. Riders should also be courteous to pedestrians by yielding the right of way and maintaining safe speeds, especially in shared spaces.
Flu Season is No Party – Getting vaccinated each year is the best way to protect yourself and others against seasonal influenza. Vaccination is especially recommended for college students due to the close proximity in which students live and study. Each fall, Cornell Health provides free on-campus flu vaccine clinics for all students, staff, faculty, and retirees. If you do get the flu, don’t be “that person” who gets everyone sick; stay in bed and rest up to fully recover. Call Cornell Health any time for a consultation and support.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Lock Up, Burn Ban, Off-Campus Safety
Lock Up – Remember to lock your windows and doors, including during the upcoming fall break. Secure your home, vehicles, and valuables, even if you are only away for a short period of time. We work hard to prevent crime — and Cornell Police investigate thefts that do occur — but it takes our combined efforts to ensure that campus is safe and your belongings are protected.
Burn Ban – Due to ongoing drought and high fire risk conditions, New York state has issued a temporary statewide burn ban until Wednesday, Oct. 15. During this ban, avoid open, uncontained fires and conserve water. Open burning is strictly regulated on campus and requires prior approval and a permit from the University Fire Marshal. Unauthorized fires are prohibited at all times.
Off-Campus Safety – Tompkins County SIREN provides emergency alerts and notifications for off-campus incidents. Sign up to receive information about severe weather, road closures, and other local emergencies. Additionally, the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) has an interactive dashboard that shows community members the volume and types of calls to which IPD responds. I also encourage you to download RAVE Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Homecoming, Party Smart, Cybersecurity Month
Homecoming – Get ready for a weekend full of Big Red spirit during this year’s Homecoming festivities. Expect lots of traffic — parking may be hard to find, so be sure to plan ahead. It’s a great weekend to bike, carpool, or take the bus. Let’s go Big Red!
Party Smart – Alcohol-related accidents, injuries, and hospitalizations remain a serious concern. If you see someone who has had too much to drink, be a Good Samaritan and call 911. If you are hosting, provide food and a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. And remember, it’s always best to party without the police.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Cornell takes threats to your privacy and finances very seriously. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, so stay informed about modern tactics like personalized phishing. Watch out for scammers masquerading as friends, family, or even your boss asking you to purchase gift cards or making other unusual requests. Don’t click links in these emails and do not reply to them. If you want to verify the sender’s identity, reach out to your known contact directly via a clean email or a phone call. Be vigilant and report suspicious emails. Visit IT@Cornell for cybersecurity tools.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Can’t Beat Physics, Suicide Prevention, Rave Guardian
Can’t Beat Physics – Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist, having the right of way doesn’t guarantee your safety. Moving vehicles take time to stop. Don’t assume they can or will brake in time. Stay alert and protect yourself.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number – You can dial 988 to be routed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (for TTY devices, dial 711 then 988). Options for veterans and callers needing language assistance are also available. Callers can talk about topics such as substance abuse, financial worries, relationships, sexual identity, depression, mental and physical illnesses, and loneliness. On campus, the Community Response Team (CRT) is available to assist Cornell faculty, staff, and students during a crisis. Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is another on-campus resource with 24/7 phone consultation.
Rave Guardian – Have you downloaded the Rave Guardian app? It’s a virtual Blue Light phone in your hands. At the touch of a button, you can speak with a Public Safety dispatcher who will connect you to the appropriate service or resource. The app has many other features, including the option for family and friends to virtually walk with you on or off campus. You can also submit tips or chat anonymously if you see something suspicious or need guidance in an emergency.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Reporting Bias, A Place for All, Car Seat Check
Reporting Bias – Cornell is committed to upholding the civil rights of all community members and fostering an environment of equal opportunity, fairness, and accessibility. Please report incidents of protected status bias, discrimination, and harassment through the online reporting form. To report criminal activity, including hate crimes, please connect with Cornell Police. For guidance, call the Public Safety Communications Center — available 24 hours a day.
A Place for All – We can’t repeat this message often enough: Cornell will not tolerate sexual and related misconduct — including sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation — by or against any member of our community. Work for positive change by challenging your own and others’ attitudes and behaviors. We all SHARE the responsibility to create a safer, more caring culture in which bias, harassment, and violence have no place.
Car Seat Check – Next week, Cornell Police will provide car seat safety checks at 117 Statler Drive. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by another on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A trained technician will inspect your child’s car seat for proper installation and fit. The event is open to the public, but preregistration is requested by emailing Cornell Police Community Engagement.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Victim Advocacy, Hazing, Bike Registration
Victim Advocacy – Cornell does not tolerate bias, assault, or any form of abuse. If you are a victim of harmful, threatening, or violent actions, support is available from Cornell and local victim advocacy programs. If you see criminal behavior or something concerning, report it. Be vigilant to keep yourself and the community safe.
No Haze Zone – It is never OK to humiliate, demean, or put someone at risk of physical harm or mental distress — whether individually or as a part of joining a group, team, or organization. Hazing is a violation of Cornell policy and New York state law. Help end hazing by confidentially reporting incidents online.
Bike Registration – You are required to register any bike or mobility device on campus, and the process is easy and free! The online registration form will aid in identifying your bike in the event that it’s stolen, and it helps deter theft in the first place. You gain access to secure storage rooms, ensuring a safe place to keep your equipment when not in use.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: CornellAlert Test, Good Sam, Wildlife
CornellAlert Test – Cornell will conduct a test of the campus emergency notification system on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 12:10 p.m. This includes notifications sent through voice and text messaging, email, campus sirens, and other platforms. Register or update your phone number to ensure timely emergency notifications.
Be a Good Sam – Cornell’s Good Samaritan Protocol and New York’s Good Samaritan Law lower the judicial and legal barriers for people seeking assistance or assisting others with alcohol or drug abuse, including underage drinking, by lowering judicial and legal barriers for those seeking help for themselves or others. These protocols apply to individuals and organizations on campus. We urge you to avoid drinking to excess and to call 911 if you notice someone who needs assistance.
Wildlife – During the summer break, wildlife took advantage of our quieter community to wander and explore uncommon areas on and off campus. Keep yourself and our wildlife safe by not petting or feeding these animals. Please keep your distance!
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Campus Alerts, Think Before You Post, Safety In Your Hands
CornellALERTS: CornellALERT messages are emergency notifications sent any time there is an imminent threat to the health or safety of the Cornell community. This could include natural incidents like dangerous weather, events such as an active threat, or a change in the university’s operating status due to an emergency or weather event. Cornell community members receive CornellALERT emergency messages via email and can enroll a mobile phone number to receive them via SMS text message. I also encourage you to download RAVE Guardian, a free mobile app that turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.
Crime Alerts: The Clery Act requires Cornell Police to provide timely warnings when we learn of a serious or continuing threat on or near campus. The purpose is to provide information on how to protect yourself against a specific threatening circumstance that may be ongoing or a recent occurrence that remains unresolved and continues to pose a threat. Crime alerts are sent to all faculty, staff, and students in the campus community via email and are posted to the Emergency, CUInfo, and Division of Public Safety websites.
Think Before You Post – Before jumping into the latest online or social media challenge, take a moment to think critically. Challenges that seem fun or harmless could have serious consequences — some have led to serious injuries, false reports of emergencies, and even fatalities. Stay safe by reviewing social media safety tips and avoiding trends that could put you or others at risk.
Safety In Your Hands – Everyone should have a personal safety plan and supplies in case of an emergency. Emergency preparedness is a shared effort between Public Safety staff and each member of our community. Please take a moment to watch this video on emergency preparedness, register for emergency notification messaging, and update your emergency contacts in Student Essentials or Workday.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Public Safety: Theft Prevention, Stop Hazing, Expressive Activity
Theft Prevention – The start of a new semester often means increased theft from vehicles, bike racks, and rooms. Don’t forget to lock your home or living space, office, and lab when leaving. Keep your valuables out of sight, secure all doors and windows, and be mindful of tailgaters. Lock your bike when you are not using it. If you do experience a theft, please report it so Cornell Police can investigate and take steps to prevent future incidents.
Stop Campus Hazing – In alignment with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, Cornell released a new policy statement in June. Please explore this resource and report any suspected acts of hazing. Cornell remains committed to transparency and will continue its two-decade tradition of publicly disclosing hazing violations.
Expressive Activity – To support the safety and well-being of our campus community during events and other uses of university space, we encourage everyone to review the Expressive Activity Policy. A newly-launched webpage outlines the core principles and guidelines to help ensure respectful and responsible engagement.
David Honan
Associate Vice President for Public Safety