As fall approaches, many students are college bound. It’s hard to think of anything bad happening, but history tells us bad things can and do happen even in places we believe to be safe.
Recent shootings at several colleges, churches and businesses tell us we can no longer believe ANY place is completely safe. The following is an article posted by Auraria Campus just after the Virginia Tech shootings. It contains some very useful tips for keeping students safe in the event they are presented with a violent encounter while on campus. This can also be applied to businesses and churches and just about any place that is primarily open to the public. It’s important to learn the safety precautions your campus, business or church has in place. Even more important is to realize YOU are in charge of your own personal safety. Most of this information is "brain training" and you don't have to be a martial artist to use it.
We honestly and sincerely hope no one ever needs this type of information, but in the event you do…it COULD save your life.
If you would like to practice…come to the Self Defense Class offered at RKMSF on Friday evenings 5:30-6:30 pm.
Kris
Auraria Campus' statement on Virginia Tech shootings
posted by: Sara Gandy Date last updated: 4/16/2007 4:15:47 PM
KUSA - The Auraria Campus released the following statement and information on campus safety after the Virginia Tech shootings Monday.
Statement:
Our hearts go out to the victims and families in the tragic school shootings at Virginia Tech today.
The Auraria Campus has an Emergency Response Plan. The safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors is our primary concern.
Once we were made aware of the school shootings, the Auraria Campus immediately activated the Communication Plan and alerted the Mental Health counselors on campus.
For additional security information for the Auraria Campus, go to: http://www.ahec.edu/
Safety Notice:
SAFTEY BULLETIN FOR THE AURARIA CAMPUS On Monday, April 16, 2007, at approximately 7:15 a.m. a major critical incident took place on the campus of Virginia Tech in Virginia. A lone gunman took the lives of at least 31 people and wounded many others before taking his own life. Our hearts and thoughts go out the Students, Faculty and Staff of the Virginia Tech community. We caution all members of the Auraria community to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity/person immediately to the Auraria Campus Police Department.
Keeping Yourself Safe on Campus
Always be aware of what is going on around you. Many violent situations unfold the same general way - a person makes threats or threatening comments. They show up at the business, school or workplace dressed in military style clothing or inappropriate clothing, i.e. a trench coat in the summer, and pulls out a firearm and starts calmly and methodically firing. Look for people acting strangely or dressed inappropriately. Take threats seriously.
Believe what you see. As events unfold in front of you, trust your eyes, as your ears hear the gunfire, people running, or screaming. Many people report that they thought the event wasn't real. They think it is a movie or a joke. Stay aware of what is happening around you, and trust your instincts that something is wrong - believe the warning!
Hit the ground! Your first priority is to get out of the line of fire. Get on the ground immediately and assess your escape routes. Do not hesitate, move!
Find cover. Get behind something that will stop bullets, not just conceals you. High powered bullets can penetrate a large amount of materials. Look for brick walls, planters, mailboxes, cars, thick trees.
Put distance between yourself and the shooter. Your chances for survival in a gunfight rise dramatically the further you are from the gunman. Stay down and crawl away from the origin of the shooting. Try to get better cover or escape out of a door or window. Just get out.
Escape! If you have been trapped by gunfire, if there is a noticeable dramatic silence in the shooting, the gunman may have run out of ammunition and is either reloading or switching to another weapon. If at all possible, move to an exit to escape.
Call 911 or 303-556-5000 from a cell phone! As soon as it is safe, call the police giving them a location, description, make of weapon, and any injuries.
Chances are that you will never need this advice. However, being present when violence erupts is often unpredictable. The mental attitude of survival is your best defense.
These tips are provided courtesy of the Auraria Campus Police Department. Reporting any suspicious behavior can help keep you and the campus safe.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: The Auraria Campus Police Department urges everyone to use caution.
If anything suspicious occurs or you are the victim of a crime, immediately contact the Auraria Campus Police Department from any campus phone or at 303-556-5000 from your cell phone. Be aware of the Blue Light emergency telephones in the parking lots. Use these telephones to report all suspicious persons or incidents to the Auraria Police.
WE BELIEVE IN SAFETY FIRST!
(Copyright KUSA*TV, All Rights Reserved)
Original Article
