The Syracuse Police Department is currently investigating the sexual assault of a Syracuse University female that occurred early Sunday morning, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Though Public Safety is helping, Syracuse Police is heading the investigation, said Public Safety Interim Chief Tony Callisto.

Sgt. Tom Connellan of Syracuse Police said the victim was interviewed again Monday afternoon by Syracuse Police, and that if a more detailed description of the three assailants was attained, it would be released to the SU community.

Although the assault occurred at 12:40 a.m., the student did not report the incident until later that day, which made the investigation harder, Connellan said.

‘We started the investigation hours after (the assault) occurred, so we weren’t able to send officers to the scene to look for suspects,’ Connellan said.

Because of the time gap, Syracuse Police officers are especially dependent on any person who may have witnessed or heard something about the incident, Connellan said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Syracuse Police at (315) 442-5222 or Public Safety at (315) 443-2224.

In response to the incident being the third sexual assault of a SU student in the last year, Public Safety is working hard to deter such attacks, Callisto said. But students must also do their part by making smart decisions.

On a typical Saturday night, there are two extra Syracuse Police and two extra Public Safety cars patrolling the off-campus housing area, Callisto said.

The assault is a relevant example of why students should always walk in groups during the later hours of the day, Callisto said.

‘If you go out with four people, come back with four people,’ he said, reminding students there is safety in numbers.

It is important to be a good friend and make sure that someone who has consumed alcohol has someone to walk with, Callisto said. He also urged students to use well-traveled routes and avoid short cuts.

Published on September 11, 2006 at 12:00 pm