Assessing the epidemic of gun violence Public Safety Briefs

Compiled by Megan Naftali

Key:

PS - Public Safety

CS - Community Standards

NCPD - Nassau County Police Department

HU - Hofstra University

By Alexandra Webb STAFF WRITER

On Monday, Feb. 13, a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University, leaving three students dead and five injured. In the wake of this tragedy, Hofstra University students and staff have come forward to comment on the threat of gun violence in the home of the Pride.

Mass shootings have become one of the greatest crises in the U.S.: an epidemic plaguing society, killing innocent people and fueling the flames of a political war on gun laws in America.

According to Gun Violence Archive statistics, there have been a record 67 mass shootings in the United States in 2023 alone – more than the first two months of any other year since 2014.

According to Janet Dolgin, professor of health care law and science education, the reason why mass shootings have become so common today remains unclear. As it stands now, the issue of gun violence is a festering problem that will continue to grow unless approached on numerous fronts by a community of educated voices within society.

There is a “cultural anger,” according to Dolgin, which exists in America where society is desensitized to violence. Additionally, access to deadly firearms can exacerbate existing violent tendencies.

According to Alex M. Cutler, adjunct assistant professor of journalism, media studies and public relations, the mass shooting epidemic is a “product of our pioneer heritage ... there is a certain comfort level with firearms which is built into American society.”

This has evolved into a generational public health issue, where “Americans are infatuated with guns,” according to Cutler, and schools have quickly become a target of these patterns of violence.

The recent shootings have left Hofstra students like Amber Bianchi, a freshman journalism and criminology major, rattled and seeking better security measures from the university.

“This shouldn’t happen,” Bianchi said. “I think our school assumes we already know how to act in emergency situations, and they aren’t taking action to educate us.”

Referencing the “Emergency Protocols” signs posted on walls across campus, Bianchi said that she feels “like there should be better protections implemented so that kids here don’t have to worry about it.”

“You can never do enough with these kinds of things,” said Dakota White, a freshman marketing major.

Having had a personal connection to a Michigan State shooting survivor herself, White reflected on Hofstra’s protective protocols currently in place should such a horrific incident befall the campus.

“I think Hofstra is doing what they can,” White said. “You can always prepare for the worst but when it is actually happening ... you can never be prepared for something like that.”

On Feb. 11, at 5:55 p.m., an unknown person pulled the fire alarm in the Graduate Residence Hall, causing an activation and evacuation. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire Department responded. An investigation is being conducted into this matter.

On Feb. 14, at 1 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that their poster board, which was being displayed in the student center, was missing. A search of the area was conducted with negative results.

On Feb. 14, at 11:30 p.m., two HU students reported to PS that there had been ongoing noise complaints involving items being dropped on the floor from above during late hours. Residence Life was advised on this matter.

On Feb. 16, at 8:30 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they lost their AirPods and house keys in the student center. The tracking device on the AirPods pointed to a location off campus. The NCPD responded and took a report.

On Feb. 17, at 2:26 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that while in HofUSA, they lost their jacket containing their wallet. The student was escorted back to HofUSA to check inside the building, but the items were not there.

On Feb. 17, at 1:05 p.m., an HU student was issued a referral to CS for allowing a non-student to utilize their Hofstra ID. The non-student was banned from campus.

On Feb. 18, at 12:46 a.m., PS responded to Stuyvesant Hall for an activated fire alarm. The fire panel indicated that smoke activated the alarm. Upon arrival, there was an odor of marijuana and heavy smoke inside the lounge area, along with unopened bottles of alcohol in plain sight. The resident of the room was issued a referral to CS for their actions.

On Feb. 18, at 1:07 a.m., the RA of Enterprise Hall reported to PS that two HU students were in the lobby with a strong odor of marijuana. The HU students admitted to smoking and they were issued referrals to CS.

On Feb. 21, at 5:08 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that there was an odor of marijuana emanating from a room in Plymouth House.

Upon arrival, PS discovered drug paraphernalia in plain sight. The residents of the room were issued referrals to CS for their actions.

On Feb. 21, at 9 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they had left their skateboard behind the glass doors of the Unispan. Upon returning approximately an hour later, the skateboard was gone. A search of the area was met with negative results.

On Feb. 23, at 5:12 p.m., the fire alarm in Stuyvesant Hall was activated due to steam from the shower. The fire alarm sounded and the building was evacuated. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire Department responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Feb. 23, at 5:12 p.m., PS discovered three HU students failed to evacuate the building while responding to an activated fire alarm. Upon entering the room, PS observed two candles in plain sight. All three students were issued referrals to CS for their actions.