Preventing Events of Mass Campus Violence

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Preventing Events of Mass Campus Violence

• Capt. Deb Hettrick, Retired
• UW-Madison Police
• Department

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Setting the Stage
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Presidents Commission on University Security (in
the wake of the Virginia Tech incident) Final
Report July 2007
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Commission Recommendations for Prevention

• Awareness Campaign
• How to report problems, troubling behaviors and
  concerns
• What to do in the event of an active shooter
• Education and Training
• Disclosure of information and FERPA
• Intervention

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How Do We Prevent Major Incidents From Occurring?

• By educating staff, faculty and students
• By training and supporting campus threat
  assessment teams (TAG's)
• By fostering awareness, not alarm
• By reporting and sharing information on observed
  behaviors

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• Charles Whitman
• University of Texas Austin
• August 1, 1966
• 16 Dead and 31 Injured

• I don't really understand myself these days. I am
  supposed to be an average reasonable and
  intelligent young man. However, lately (I can't
  recall when it started) I have been a victim of
  many unusual and irrational thoughts.

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Seung Hui Cho Avenger Violence
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Avenger

• A person for whom violence becomes the only
  possible recourse for their perceived grievances.
• You forced me into a corner and gave me only one
  option.
• Seung Hui Cho

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Some Notable U.S. College Campus Avenger
Shootings

• University of Texas 1966
• California State-Fullerton 1976
• University of Iowa 1991
• Simon Rock College 1992
• San Diego State 1996
• University of Arkansas 2000
• Appalachian School of Law 2002
• University of Arizona 2002

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U. S. Avenger Shootings Since Virginia Tech
(April 16, 2007)

• Omaha, NE December 5, 2007
• Kirkwood, MO February 7, 2008
• Louisiana Tech - February 8, 2008
• N. IL University February 14, 2008
• Knoxville, TN July 28, 2008
• Marinette Co., WI/Dickinson Co., MI July 31,
  2008

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• There Is Some
• Good News
• Avenger Killers
• Always Tell Us
• Ahead of Time!

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Guiding Principles For Presidents Commission
Recommendations

• All persons should be treated fairly, with
  dignity and respect.
• Not all those who are mentally ill are violent
  and not all who are violent are mentally ill.
• A diagnosis of mental illness is not, in and of
  itself, a lens to screen for violence.
• Defining the behavior of concern should be
  tantamount to defining prevention and
  intervention.
• Students are free-thinking adults.
• One size fits all solutions rarely work.

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Safe School InitiativeU.S. Secret Service and
U.S. Department of Education, 2002

• School Shooters from 1966 2002
• Only 1/3 had ever seen a mental health
  professional
• Only 1/5 had even been diagnosed with a mental
  disorder

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• We repeatedly heard reports of information
  silos within educational institutions and among
  educational staff, mental health providers, and
  public safety officials that impede appropriate
  information sharing.
• Report on the Virginia Tech Incident
• to the President of the United States

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FERPAFamily Education and Rights Privacy Act

• You can tell your concerns about observed
  behavior to anyone in the institution!

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Observed Behavior

• Students
• Faculty
• Staff
• Non-Affiliated persons on campus

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Some Signs of a Person in Crisis

• Chronic Depression or mood swings
• Perception of injustice
• Isolating behavior, hostility
• Low self-esteem, excuses, blaming
• Strained relationships
• Reduced motivation
• Changes in health or hygiene
• Substance abuse
• Frequent allusions to violence

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What Can You Do If You Observe Signs of a Person
in Crisis?

• Remain calm
• Actively listen
• Communicate understanding
• Be respectful and patient
• Set clear boundaries
• Never make promises you cant keep

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If Talking Doesnt Relieve your Concerns

• Dont ignore the signs of problems.
• Tell a trusted colleague.
• Document your observations.
• Ask for guidance.
• Contact the Dean, an assistant dean, EAP, or
  member of the campus Threat Assessment Group
  (TAG)!

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Why Is It So Important to Talk to People?

• Because people need three things
• To Be Heard
• To Be Understood
• To Be Taken Seriously
• Mike Hallenbeck 2008

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Why is it so important to report problem
behavior?

• Because generally, the best predictor of future
  behavior is not past behavior, but how the person
  reacts to intervention.
• John Nicoletti 2007,

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Multiple Observations Form a More Complete Picture
Observation
Observation
Observation
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Whos Usually on the Threat Assessment Group
(TAG)?

• Dean/Deans Rep.
• Asst. Dean for Student Services
• Asst. Dean for Administrative Services
• Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Mental Health Counselor
• Law Enforcement Rep.

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What Does the TAG Do?

• They are trained to
• Verify
• Document
• Assess
• Intervene
• Evaluate
• Follow Up
• John Nicoletti, 2007

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Campus-Community Coalitions Are Important, Too!

• Community emergency planning teams
• Local law enforcement
• Community mental health services

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Why is Reporting So Important?
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Nobody Just Snaps!

• Violence is the end result of an understandable
  and often discernable process.

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The Violence Continuum
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Inhibitors
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Indicators of Violence Potential(Not a Profile)

• Poor Impulse Control
• Injustice Collector
• Obsession
• New kind of energy or tone
• Failure to recognize the feelings or rights of
  others
• Fascination with weapons, guns

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Actions Associated with Disruption Violence
(Not a Profile)

• Verbal Intimidation
• Talking or writing about committing acts of
  violence
• Vandalism or Property Damage
• Repeated Loss of Temper
• Physical Disruption or Fighting
• Stalking

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To Intervene You Need

• Monitoring
• Reporting
• Assessment of the Threat

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Some Possible Interventions

• Mediation
• Counseling
• Disciplinary Action
• Civil or Criminal Action

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10 Myths About Avengers

• He just snapped.
• No one knew.
• He didnt fit the profile.
• He hadnt threatened anyone.
• He was a loner.
• He was crazy.
• Source U.S. Secret Service U.S. Department of
  Education,Threat Assessment in Schools, May 2002

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10 Myths About Avengers

• If only wed had a SWAT team or metal
  detectors.
• Hed never touched a gun.
• We did everything we could to help him.
• School violence is rampant.
• Source U.S. Secret Service U.S. Department of
  Education,Threat Assessment in Schools, May 2002

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4 Key Questions to Ask Yourself

• If all my coworkers, students or staff acted in
  this way would I tolerate it?
• Is there a coworker, student or staff member who,
  when s/he doesnt come to work or class, no
  matter how much hassle that causes me, I am glad?
• Do the people close to me know everything about
  one of my coworkers, staff or students, despite
  having never met them?
• Do I normally feel like Im walking on eggshells
  around this person?

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Remember

• You are not trained to assess threats and are not
  expected to do so.
• When in doubt about a behavior or concern,
  consult.
• When NOT in doubt, consult.
• When it comes to crisis, violence, or threats, no
  question is silly.
• Dont worry alone!

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Survival Strategies in The Event of an Active
Shooter
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• OUT!!!!
• Source Center for Personal Protection Safety
  2007

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Get Out

• Run!!!

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Call Out

• Call 911!

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Hide Out

• If you cant get out, find a safe place to hide
  or play dead

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Keep Out

• If youre in a room you cant leave, BARRICADE
• the door to keep the shooter out if possible

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Take Out

• If theres no way out, FIGHT!

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July 27, 2008Witnesses recall Knoxville church
shooting horrorHe had gun leveled in our
direction, says man who helped stop rampage
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How OUT Strategies Saved Lives
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Before Something Happens

• Be aware of signs of crisis.
• Tell the right people.
• Know your surroundings.
• Have a plan of action.
• Always be prepared to call 911!