Public Safety Signals

The Year in Public Safety

2007 Dec 31 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

As 2007 is coming to a close, there were some very notable incidents in Public Safety with lasting policy ramifications.

During the morning hours of April 16, 2007, a gunman armed with at least two automatic weapons went on a shooting rampage at several student residence and lecture halls across the campus of Virginia Tech University. Thirty-two persons were murdered and the gunman committed suicide shortly after the rampage. This led to a debate about campus security and safety and the implementation of early-warning text messaging systems across the nation.

During the evening rush hour on August 1, 2007, the Interstate 35 Bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis suddenly, and without warning, collapsed killing 13 people. The incident reminded the Public Safety community of the suddenness and intensity of these types of disasters and the need for preparedness.

In October, wild fires spread across southern California, forcing the evacuation of over one million persons and killing an estimated 14 persons. Considering the enormity of the damage and the displacement, the response (and first wave of restoration) to the wild fires was relatively successful. This incident does remind the Public Safety community of the potential for mass casualties given the overdevelopment in certain regions of the country. Responding to wildfires has continually been a case-study in progress in how the multi-layered organizational structure of the Public Safety community must coordinate resources and personnel. Responses to the wildfires of the Western region of the United States have highlighted the need for coordination which has led to the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

As 2007 came to close, domestic Public Safety in the United States was reminded how international events have now impact Public Safety with the mysterious assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, a candidate for the Prime Minister of Pakistan who had made a campaign pledge to battle terrorists. Public Safety is a continually evolving endeavor that must always “re-engineer” and “re-invent” response to confront contemporary threats.

From everyone in the Public Safety Community at Capella University, Happy a Safe and Prosperous New Year!!

Joe Pascarella

December 31, 2007 | Filed under: Capella, Capella University, Public Safety Signals, Public safety, crime, education, online college, online degrees, online university
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