Threat To Person Emergencies

Active Shooter/Person with a Weapon

An active shooter scenario on campus is probably the most difficult situation to predict, and the events will happen very quickly. Please be aware that if we are faced with an active shooter scenario, that emergency responders may implement several types of activities, such as campus lockdown, shelter in-place, AND evacuation.

If the campus issues a lockdown immediately go to the closest classroom, office, or other room with a lockable door.

  • Immediately lock and barricade all doors
  • Lock windows and close blinds o Turn off lights and equipment
  • Get behind desk or lie on floor away from view o Turn cell phone ringers off
  • Remain quiet
  • Wait for an “all clear” from emergency personnel

If you are faced with an active shooter or a person with a weapon use the RUN, HIDE, FIGHT protocols noted below:

 EVACUATE (RUN) – IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, LEAVE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY.

BE SURE TO:

  • Have an escape route in mind
  • Leave your belongings behind
  • Help others escape, if possible
  • Follow the instructions of any police officers
  • Do not move wounded people
  • Call Campus Security when you are safe

HIDE OUT (HIDE) - IF YOU CAN’T EVACUATE, MOVE TO AN AREA OUT OF THE SHOOTER’S VIEW.

  • Go to a room with a door that can be locked or barricaded to prevent access by the shooter.
  • Do not let anyone in the room once you have locked the door Remain calm
  • Dial 911, if possible, to alert police of the shooter’s location
  • Silence cellphones 

TAKE ACTION (FIGHT) - If an active shooter enters your office or classroom, as a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter.

Law Enforcement on Scene during an Active Threat

  • Remain Calm and follow Law Enforcement Officers instructions
  • Raise hands and spread fingers
  • Keep hands visible at all times
  • Avoid making quick movements toward officers
  • Avoid pointing, screaming, yelling
  • Do not take photos or videos of the situation

Assault/Disruptive Person

When confronted with a disruptive or violent individual:

  • Get assistance and call Campus Security unless violence is threatened, or the individual is actively fighting. In this situation, call 911 first, then Campus Security
  • Be calm and polite – but firm!
  • Separate the person from others, but remain in the public eye. Do not put yourself or the person in a private area.
  • Do not allow yourself to be “cornered.” Keep yourself at least 6 feet away from the person.
  • Remain attentive and concerned. Avoid using a tone of voice that is loud, condescending or moralistic.
  • Empathize with the person and acknowledge his/her feelings.
  • Do not physically touch, crowd or confront the person.
  • Once the situation is defused, fill out an Incident Report with Campus Security.

Potential Stalker

Below are some tips if you or someone you know believes they are being stalked.

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 911 followed by Campus Security (402-872-2411).
  • Trust your instincts. Don’t downplay the danger. If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are.
  • Take threats seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship.
  • Develop a safety plan, including things like changing your routine, arranging a place to stay, and having a friend or relative go places with you. Escort services are always available on campus through Campus Security. Also, decide in advance what to do if the stalker shows up at your home, work, school, or somewhere else. Tell people how they can help you. 

Resources to assist with development of a safety plan are:

  • On campus resources: Associate Vice President of Student Affairs (402-872-2292), Campus Security (402-872-2411), Residence Life (402-872-2246), and Counseling Services (402-872-2425) are all College resources available to assist you with developing a safety plan.
  • Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department – 402-274-3139
  • Contact a crisis hotline, victim services agency, or a domestic violence or rape crisis program. They can help you devise a safety plan, give you information about local laws, refer you to other services, and weigh options such as seeking a protection order. Some options are: 
    • Project Response 1-800-456-5764
    • National Center for Victims of Crime 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255) or gethelp@ncvc.org or ncvc.org
  • Don’t communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
  • Keep evidence of the stalking. When the stalker follows you or contacts you, write down the time, date, and place. Keep e-mails, phone messages, letters, or notes. Photograph anything of yours the stalker damages and any injuries the stalker causes.
  • Ask witnesses to write down what they saw.
  • Contact Nemaha County or Campus Security.
  • The stalker may also have broken other laws by doing things like assaulting you, stealing or destroying your property.
  • Consider getting a court order, or Campus No contact order that tells the stalker to stay away from you.
  • Tell family, friends, roommates, and co-workers about the stalking and seek their support. Tell security staff at your job or Campus Security. Ask them to help watch out for your safety.

Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

Nebraska State College System Board Policy 3020 addresses sex discrimination that occurs in the form of sexual harassment. The Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and is committed to providing an environment in which all students who participate in College programs and activities can work together in an atmosphere free from sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

The following College employees are required to report incidents of sexual misconduct of which they become aware to the Title IX Coordinator. The following College employees are Mandatory Reporters: a. President b. Vice Presidents c. Academic Deans d. College Title IX Coordinator and Designees e. Dean of Students f. Housing/Residence Life Staff to include: i. Directors ii. Managers iii. Assistant Directors iv. Senior Residence Hall Advisors v. Residence Hall Advisors g. Coaches and Assistant Coaches h. Campus Security Officers

Suicidal Threat

If an individual communicates intent to commit suicide to you, the following protocol should be followed:

  • Note the individual’s name, location (if off campus, physical address should be noted), physical description of the individual, details on the individual’s state of mind and potential weapons available to them. Anything they have said that has led to your belief that they will harm themselves. This information will be requested when you call the authorities.
  • Call 911 immediately followed by Campus Security (402-872-2411) if they are actively engaged in a suicidal act.
  • Call Campus Security first if the person is not actively engaged in a suicidal act.
  • Campus Security will activate resources available on campus to assist the individual
  • A CARE Team referral is another follow-up method to ensure individuals on campus are aware of a potential suicide threat by an individual on campus. Referrals can be submitted online at peru.edu/care or directly to a member of the CARE Team.

Some tips in talking with a suicidal individual are as follows:

  • At no time should you leave the individual alone unless a trained professional is on site to manage the situation.
  • Be direct – talk openly to find out how serious that individual is about ending his/her life.
  • Be a good listener – listen with your eyes as well as your ears to find nonverbal clues into how the person is feeling.
  • Show that you care – tell the person that you are willing to talk about the things that may be troubling him/her.
  • Get help – seeking a trained professional will assist the student in coping with suicidal thoughts.
  • Do not: leave the person alone, engage in debates, side step the issue, keep what you know a secret from professionals who can help.

Your role in this situation is not to determine if the individual has the means to carry through on the threat to commit suicide but to notify the authorities who are trained to assess the situation and assist the individual.

Missing Student

A student shall be deemed missing when he or she is absent from PSC for more than 24 hours without any known reason. If you believe a student might be missing:

  • Report missing student information as soon as possible to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, the Director of Residence Life, and/or Campus Security who shall investigate each report.
    • Do not contact law enforcement yourself. Administration will determine if and when law enforcement will become involved and make appropriate contact. o If a parent is on campus or contacts the College, direct the parent to one of the above resources. AT NO TIME SHOULD YOU ASSIST THE PARENT WITH FINDING THE STUDENT. You do not know if the student and parent are experiencing problems, if there is an abusive relationship, etc.
    • If the student is residential, do not provide access to the residence hall to any individual without direction from a campus administrator.
  • Reminder: FERPA rules and regulations continue to be in effect. Please follow our policy on appropriate information which can be released to individuals without an educational interest. If you do not feel comfortable releasing information, you may direct the individual requesting information to your supervisor.
  • Refer all media inquiries to the Director of Marketing and Communications.
  • The AVPSA or designee will:
    • Make a determination whether the student is missing in accordance with this policy.
    • Initiate appropriate contact with an individual the student designated as their emergency contact and with law enforcement. o Be responsible for filing all related missing person reports with other agencies as may be required and conduct an investigation.
    • Organize support personnel when a student is determined missing and make appropriate contacts within and external to the College.

Bomb Threat

Procedures for a bomb threat to a building may slightly differ from a threat against an individual. In the event a threat is made against an individual, Campus Security should be notified immediately (402-872-2411). They will then notify the individual and proceed with contacting the authorities to determine if the threat is real. Said individual should not attempt to leave campus until cleared to do so by Campus Security.

At all times, campus employees are encouraged to report to Campus Security (402-872-2411) any unattended package or bag that appears suspicious.

The following procedure is to be used if you are the recipient of a bomb threat over the telephone:

  • If possible, gain the attention of a co-worker and request they notify law enforcement (911) and then Campus Security (402-872-2411) of the incoming bomb threat. Do not alert the caller to this activity.
  • Do not hang up the phone.
  • Note the time of the phone call on a notepad.
  • If you have caller ID on your telephone, note the telephone number of the caller.
  • Be kind and courteous to the caller and note all information you are given as best as possible. Attempt to keep the caller on the line as long as possible.
  • Identify background noises and any distinguishing voice characteristics.
  • Search Procedures
  • Campus Security will designate individuals to participate in the search at the direction of the local law enforcement.
  • Staff may be asked to make a visual observation of their classrooms or work areas. Staff should not open cabinets or doors, move objects or touch any suspicious objects. Designees will check halls and restrooms.
  • If at any time the threat is determined to be valid, be sure the evacuation site is safe and then evacuate the building using standard fire drill procedures.

When the building is reported to be safe by Campus Security, resume normal activities.