Hugh Yang didn’t expect to get a free lunch when he walked through the Schine Atrium on Wednesday.

But a few minutes later, Yang, a freshman information and technology major, found himself eating a sandwich wrap and commenting on the Department of Public Safety’s performance on campus.

The free sandwiches and survey were part of “Wrapping with DPS.” The goal of the event, held in the atrium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, was for DPS to get feedback from the community and build relationships between students and officers.

“It’s good that they’re doing this,” Yang said. “DPS is very important to the school.”

On the five-question survey DPS handed out, students were asked to rate the department’s performance, offer suggestions and answer questions such as “Where do you feel the most unsafe?”

Yang said one of the suggestions he offered was for DPS to advertise more and do a better job of telling the student body how they operate and what they do.

DPS also holds other events besides “Wrapping with DPS” to connect with students. On Wednesday mornings, officers serve students hot chocolate at the College Place bus stop as part of “Warm-Up to DPS.” The officers are also planning to host a kickball game on the Quad as the weather gets warmer, said Jon Lebaron, a DPS officer and union president.

The push to connect more with the community was in response to the recent major reorganization within DPS, Lebaron said. In spite of all the internal issues, DPS wants to show students that they still remain the department’s main focus, he said.

“We wanted to show that we haven’t lost touch in any way,” Lebaron said. “We’re still here and we want students to know they’re still our main focus.”

Katie Vallely and Caroline Germain, both seniors in the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries, also stopped to talk with the DPS officers on their way through Schine Atrium.

Vallely has interacted with DPS officers at past “Warm-Up to DPS” events and said she thinks the department is doing a great job and has no complaints.

Germain said she appreciated the chance to provide feedback and suggested DPS hold weekly information meetings for students to voice their concerns about public safety.

George Wazen, a DPS officer, was also helping out at the event, constantly greeting students as they walked through the student center.

“How are you doing bud?” he said to one student passing by. “Can I offer you some lunch?”

As Wazen steered the student toward the platters of wraps laid out on the table, he noted that events like these are all about changing the perception of DPS in the community.

Many students see DPS officers as enforcers, but Wazen said these events are all about making the officers more approachable and showing the “person behind the badge.”

“That’s what this event is about, “ he said. “No guns, no badge, just us to you.”

Published on April 4, 2013 at 2:13 am

Contact Jessica: jliannet@syr.edu | @JessicaIannetta