Campus ups security measures

Response Teams team, on is tasked with responding to escalated threats and assaults that need immediate diffusion. This team, made up mostly of administrators, has to ensure the safety of the campus by examining emergency situations as they come.

Three tiers of response teams, each comprised of a handful of campus professionals, form the overarching protocol that kicks in with the presence of emergency situations.

The first of these groups, the behavioral intervention team (B.I.T.), is made up mostly of Student Services personnel, and is in place to help prevent situations through keeping track of students’ behavior.

B.I.T. will help differentiate a person who could pose a threat to the security of the Pierce community from someone who is “just misunderstood,” Schleicher said. The team’s main focus is on student privacy.

According to Kraus, B.I.T. referral forms, through which anyone can submit information of concern about somebody else, will be made available soon through the Pierce website.

The last part of the trio that make up the response teams on campus is Campus Violence Response Team, which deals primarily with sexual assault incidents, as well as preventative and post-trauma intervention.

While the response teams are already in place, they are being refined with each incident, according to Schleicher.

In addition to the response teams, Schleicher says that the school uses outside resources like Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department psychologists.

“It’s multi-directional, multifocused. What we’re tying to do is better understand the whole network and to plan for any kind of emergencies,” Schleicher said. “Planning is, for us, very important.”

Beth Benne, who is a member of both B.I.T. and the threat assessment team, has been with the campus for 20 years. She says that in all those years, she hasn’t seen the campus’ security as well thought-out as it is right now.

“I’m so tickled we’re finally doing it,” she said.

Notification Systems/ Communication

According to Schleicher, the Los Angeles Community College District is also trying to streamline the emergency notification system for all nine campuses under its umbrella

Since Schleicher came on board, he says the school has restored its cadet program and even hired more cadets. There are 13 currently.

“I spoke to the president and sheriffs about some glaring problems on campus and based on the dialogue, I knew we needed more support,” he said. “We’ve ramped up our security dramatically, I’d say, but we still want more.”

“What we are doing here at Pierce is changing the culture to allow students to succeed and complete their degrees,” said Bob Martinez, co-chair of the Student Success Committee and chair of the Mathematics department.

The programs have proven to be successful – a single semester of ASAP boosted the success rate from 23 percent to 66 percent, while the pilot program for Statway has increased it to 42.6 percent, according to Kiekel. Pierce’s success aside, the normal meeting functions were carried out after a thorough few presentations, discussing budget use and other necessities as normal.

Nov. 3 - Nov. 9

11-3 – Trespassing - A group of 50 people were found on the Cross Country Track without a permit. The group was warned and advised they were trespassing.

11-4 – Injury - A Taft High School student got hurt diving into the shallow end of the pool and was transported to the hospital, according to Deputy Alfred Guerrero.

11-4 – Traffic accident - A traffic collision occurred with no known injuries on Victory Boulevard and Winnetka Avenue.

11-5 – Suspicious person - There was a transient walking through campus, they were warned and advised they were trespassing.

11-5 – Grand theft and arrest - Someone stole a student’s skateboard while they were in the bathroom stall in the Library/Learning Crossroads. The campus sheriffs found the suspect off campus riding down Winnetka Avenue and Gilmore Street on the stolen skateboard and was arrested.

11-5 – Ill student - Student was feeling sick in Village 8100 and was picked up by a parent.

11-6 – Hit and runStudent reported his vehicle was hit while parked in Lot 7 with damage inflicted on the bumper. A witness left a note with the license plate number.

11-6 – Ill student - A student went to the Health Office because they felt ill and was transported by paramedics to the hospital.

11-7 – Injured student - A student was hurt during volleyball practice in the South Gym and was transported to the hospital by paramedic.

11-7 – Petty theft - Someone stole speakers from the Media Cart by the Academic Affairs building.

11-9 – Safety hazard - A water main broke in Lot 8.

11-9 – TrespassingPaparazzi was hiding on campus by the soccer field trying to get pictures of Britney Spears and her kids while they were playing soccer.