Columbine brought it to a national stage.
Virginia Tech continued it.
Sandy Hook brought it back to the national stage and showed it could happen even at an elementary school.
In this day and age, students everywhere have to be aware of the possibility of an active shooter on campus. The schools named above are but a few that have had to deal with active shooters and the aftermath of school shootings. Many students think it can never happen at their school, but the schools named above prove differently.
With school shootings back in the headlines and legislation being made in Washington, D.C., students may wonder what steps Southeastern has taken to prepare for the possibility of someone coming onto campus with the intent of shooting.
According to Southeastern Chief of Police Stacy Ballew, “The active shooter training officers at Southeastern get is the same as all law enforcement across the United States.”
Southeastern Campus Police started doing active shooting training a couple years ago. Ballew said, “The training we receive is called ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) and is offered through CLEET (Council on Law Enforcement Education Training.)”
Usually there are two sessions a year and last year the spring session was held at Southeastern during Spring Break. Ballew also mentioned that there would be another training session at Southeastern this year during Spring Break.
Along with the training Campus Police undergoes to keep the campus community safe, Southeastern sends out SE Alerts to students, faculty and staff when a situation warrants it.
According to an email from Alan Burton, university communications director, many people are involved in the decision making process, depending on the circumstances. Some of these people are the Southeastern Threat Assessment Team, which is a cross-section of university representatives, and the University Executive Team, which consists of the president, vice presidents, various directors, campus police and other people as needed such as other law enforcement or legal counsel.
January 24 Southeastern sent out an SE Alert. In the Alert Campus Police wanted to notify people that a temporarily suspended student, who was banned from campus, might return and if he was seen to call Campus Police.
In mentioning the student might return to campus the Alert said, “…specifically the Residence Halls, with the alleged intent to do harm to others and may bring other individuals with him. We are taking extra measures to safeguard our campus. Flyers which contain photos of Qualin are being posted in the residence halls.”
The alert went to cell phones, emails and other phone numbers students had listed in their information.
According to Burton, the alert serves as a warning system for potential danger. In his email Burton said, “Campus police had received credible information about this potential situation.” Due to the ongoing investigation, more specific information cannot be released.
Burton was able to say that when the SE Alert went out, the campus did not go on lockdown, nor was Durant Police Department on campus. Burton also said, “Classes were held as usual the following day and no incidents were reported.”
While there are no guarantees in life, Southeastern’s goal is to provide a safe and secure environment. In return, the community can help ensure that safe environment by being aware of what is going on around them, and reporting anything that might be suspicious.
In light of recent events, this would be a good time to remind the Southeastern community that if you are walking on campus and feel as if you are in danger to use the buttons that are around campus.
It is inevitable that students are on campus late at night. If that is the case and you feel uncomfortable walking to your car Campus Police is available to escort you to your vehicle. Campus Police can be reached at 745-2727.
For information on SE Alerts, go to www.homepages.se.edu/sealert.