The Franklin: Oct. 16, 2015

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franklin Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 • TheFranklinNews.com

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Gun violence sparks preparedness

Campus security, city police increase campus safety measures

By Shelby Mullis

shelby.mullis@franklincollege.edu

Sophomore Emmalee Rash was on a college campus when it was placed on lockdown after the report of a gunman in the area. A Ball State University student at the time, Rash was in her dorm watching helicopters fly above her school on the news. She said a concerned student called security to report a man with a gun in the college’s recreation center. It was a false alarm. “I didn’t think it was true because of the environment of the university’s campus,” Rash said. “I never saw any reason to be afraid of people.” Rash said she feels safe at Franklin College but realizes it could happen here. According to a Newsweek article, there have been 47 school shootings since Jan. 1. Franklin College president Thomas Minar issued a statement via email to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 2 about the Oregon campus shooting.

“On behalf of the Franklin College community, I want to extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims, their families and the UCC community, as well as others involved in trying to cope with this senseless tragedy,” Minar said in his statement. Minar added campus violence is becoming “far too common” and campus safety must be deemed “top priority.” On Oct. 6, Director of Security Steve Leonard emailed a statement to students, faculty and staff from President Barack Obama ordering the flag be flown at half-staff to honor the Umpqua Community College shooting victims. “As a college security director, I must also take a professional stance on the situation,” Leonard said. “It is an opportunity to make sure [Franklin College] is as prepared as we can be.” Leonard said the college is always looking for ways to prepare for any

emergency situation. The Franklin College Comprehensive Safety and Security Committee meets monthly to talk about emergency issues. “We talk through how we can be best prepared,” Leonard said. “Additionally, we have emergency … roundtable discussions where we present a scenario and bring the right people to the table that will be able to contribute to conversations.” Leonard said the committee is constantly training – just like the Franklin Police Department. “We pride ourselves in a collaborative relationship with Franklin College,” said Tim O’Sullivan, Franklin police chief. “Steve Leonard and I work hand-in-hand on a lot of issues on a regular basis. I am constantly thinking of ways to better our department and make our city and college campus safer.”

Over his 28 years in law enforcement, O’Sullivan said he has watched schools become an “all too common place” for violence. Leonard and O’Sullivan also agree that Franklin is a safe place but reiterated that it only takes one person and one random act to make it unsafe. “Everywhere is vulnerable,” Leonard said. “The best thing that we can all do as students and employees is proactively think about what to do in an emergency. Train yourself. Know your surroundings. Know where the exits are. Know how you would react.” Law enforcement officers are also trained to prepare for the worst. “Our philosophy and how we train is R.H.F. – Run. Hide. Fight,” O’Sullivan said. “If you have an opportunity to escape the violence, then get out. If you have to hide, know a good place to barricade.” The Department of Homeland Security created that acronym as a national protocol on “what to do when an armed perpetrator enters a public or private business with the intent to kill.” Franklin College’s security officers aren’t sworn law enforcement officers. They are not required to have any formal police training.

See “campus safety” on page 3

What to do if a shooter is on campus

The Department of Homeland Security’s acronym R.H.F. is national protocol for active shooter situations.

Run:

Get inside, to your room or a room with no windows as soon as possible. Avoid being out in the open. Lock or barricade the door to the room you are in. Call 911 and campus seciurity as soon as you see a suspected shooter.

Hide:

Hide under a desk, in a closet, or in the corner. Get down on the floor and make sure you are not visible from outside. Do not come outside untill a trusted campus official says it’s okay to leave.

Fight: Fight only as a last resort. Negotiating with the shooter if possible until police officals arrive is suggested before any attempt to overpower the shooter is made.


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