Could Normandale be a victim to school shootings?

Last September a student at the University of Texas fired shots from an AK-47, and then took his own life.

Could such a thing happen at Normandale? The endless possibilities are always there-but if it did how would our campus security respond?

David Daniels has been on staff with campus security for five years, and a student worker since ‘99. When asked what was the biggest scare that he has seen on campus he replied with, “I guess for me was when I was a student worker. It was mid January and there was a power outage. The fire alarms were also going off, and it smelt like something was burning and the scent was difficult to find.” Hmm. Sound to me that we don’t have much going on here.

But what if something horrible did go wrong, and someone did decide to threaten students with a weapon? How would our campus security respond and what procedures would follow?

I sat down with Campus Security Director Eric Bentley, and asked what would campus security do if Normandale were under attack. “Lockdown; basically everybody would be locked in…offices, classrooms. We’re not alarmed (security officers) and we wouldn’t be in position to stop the threat if it did occur.” he then added, “We would order everyone to take shelter until the police arrived and assemble security emergency operations team. We would also send out notifications, and messages to all students and faculty.” He also said, “Normandale is very fortunate that we don’t have any serious crimes, (as he knocked on wood).”

I have to agree. In the campus security report that was sent out to all students the biggest scare was 1-2 assaults that occurred on campus. Fortunate as we are this is still something that could spring up on us all. So I recommend always taking precautions, and being aware of your surroundings.

　

Thieves are amongst us-four easy ways to prevent being a victim.

For many students on campus, (and for myself) most of us have our heads wrapped around school, jobs, social activities and other psychological noises. Well kids, let’s start tying knots on our fingers.
Thefts teeter the top of the list when it comes to campus crime. According to NCC campus security, theft is the number one crime that is reported on campus. This is due to unlocked vehicles, and left belongings.
People. Do you need to have your Mother lecture you? We don’t live in a pretty world where everyone is jolly and wouldn’t dare to think about stealing another’s belongings.
According to the State of Minnesota Public Safety Uniform Crime Report, there was a total of 105,844 larceny offenses reported for 2009 for the state of Minnesota. Out of those thefts 27,145 were committed out of a vehicle.
If ever you are suspicious or see any acts of crime report it ASAP to campus security, and in any emergency know to contact the Bloomington Police Department.
So as long as you follow these four simple steps, you should be less likely to become the next victim.
1. ALWAYS LOCK UP. Car manufacturers put locks and security alarms on your vehicles for a purpose. So let’s use em’ folks.
2. Put it in the back. don’t lay your belongings where people can see them. Put your belongings in the trunk where it’s hidden and unseen.
3. Never loose sight of your backpack. Many laptops, text books, cell phones, and i.pod’s are stolen this way. If you have to tinkle, or need a snack, it’s worth grabbing the luggage then having it be missing.
4. In case of an emergency. Know where the campus security office is and where the emergency phones are located as well.
According to Forbes.com Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area was ranked as number 1 as America’s Safest Cities. Yet, even in the supposed “safest city“, that we commute to, let me just add that crime never sleeps.
So before you head off to class make sure to lock up, don’t loose site, and in case of any emergency know where, and who to contact. Have a safe and joyous school day folks!