Rethinking Campus Security

2008 Feb 19 Posted by Joseph Pascarella

The unfortunate murder-suicide in which 6 persons were murdered on the campus of Northern Illinois University less than a year after the tragic incident at Virginia Tech University stokes the debate about campus security. College campuses, particularly those in suburban areas that are relatively open in terms of physical security.

The ideal is that college campuses should be open and liberating to reflect the openess and free-thinking of academe. The reality is that college campuses are areas that consist of large gatherings of persons and contemporary threats to public safety warrant an re-evlaution of safety measures. Physical security within campuses is becoming an increasingly complex endeavor that requires the cooperation of all components of college administration.

As always, take care and stay safe.

Joe Pascarella

2 Responses to “Rethinking Campus Security”

Mike Bell Says:

Did anyone notice that the real “action” that took place at this incident was primarily an emergency medical response led by Fire/EMS members? This is often the case at these active shooter incidents.

The reports I have read indicate there was good coordination between all agencies involved. Law enforcement and ICS don’t always flow together effectively so it was very refreshing to see that it worked well at this tragedy.

Hopefully “Public Safety Signals” will have more frequent posts from instructional staff and students that highlights the full spectrum of public safety agencies and the challenges they each encounter, especially when they are forced to work together for the good of the communities they are all sworn to protect.

MB

Joseph Pascarella Says:

Mike,

Thanks for the post and I do agree that coordination is critical.

Joe

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Public Safety Signals provides a venue for those working or interested in the public safety field to join in a conversation about the latest news, trends and important issues related to public safety.

Authors

Picture of Dr. Steven Barthelmeus, aa contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Steven Barthelmeus
Program Chair,
Public Safety – Criminal Justice/Forensics program, Capella University
Picture of Harry Carter, a contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Harry Carter
Core Faculty Member,
Capella University
Picture of Shelly Gill, a contributor to Capella's public safety blog.
Dr. Shelly Gill
Adjunct Instructor, Capella University
Picture of Dr. Joseph Pascarella, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Joseph Pascarella
Core Faculty Member, Capella University
Picture of Dr. Jeffrey Rush, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Jeffrey Rush
Asst. Professor of Criminal Justice/Homeland Security, Dept. of Public Management and Criminal Justice, Austin Peay State University
Picture of Dr. Michael Kemp, author of Capella's public safety news blog.
Dr. Michael Kemp
Chair, Emergency Management, Capella University
Melissa Beasley
Captain, Florence Alabama Police Department
Darryl Jones
Capella University Learner and Chief, Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
Dr. Laura Pettler
Investigator for Prosecutorial District Twenty A of North Carolina
Mark Rubin
Capella University Learner
Mark S. Warnick
Capella University Learner, Retired Asst. Fire Chief

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