Preventing Events of Mass Campus Violence

1. Preventing Events of Mass Campus Violence Capt. Deb Hettrick, Retired UW-Madison Police Department Listen to audio and follow along by toggling back and forth to stay with the slides.

2. Setting the Stage

3. President’s Commission on University Security (in the wake of the Virginia Tech incident) Final Report July 2007

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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. Charles Whitman University of Texas – Austin August 1, 1966 16 Dead and 31 Injured

8. Seung Hui Cho Avenger Violence

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. There Is Some Good News: Avenger Killers Always Tell Us Ahead of Time!

13. Guiding Principles For President’s 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.

14. 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

15. “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

16. FERPAFamily Education and Rights Privacy Act • You can tell your concerns about observed behavior to anyone in the institution!

17. Observed Behavior • Students • Faculty • Staff • Non-Affiliated persons on campus

18. 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

19. 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 can’t keep

20. If Talking Doesn’t Relieve your Concerns Don’t 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)!

21. 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

22. 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,

23. Multiple Observations Form a More Complete Picture Observation Observation Observation

24. Who’s Usually on the Threat Assessment Group (TAG)? • Dean/Dean’s Rep. • Asst. Dean for Student Services • Asst. Dean for Administrative Services • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs • Mental Health Counselor • Law Enforcement Rep.

25. What Does the TAG Do? They are trained to: • Verify • Document • Assess • Intervene • Evaluate • Follow Up John Nicoletti, 2007

26. Campus-Community Coalitions Are Important, Too! • Community emergency planning teams • Local law enforcement • Community mental health services

27. Why is Reporting So Important?

28. Nobody Just Snaps! Violence is the end result of an understandable and often discernable process.

29. The Violence Continuum Aftermath Killing Non-violent Intervention Pre-Violence Intervention During Violence Post Incident Management Prevention

30. Inhibitors

31. 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

32. 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

33. To Intervene You Need: • Monitoring • Reporting • Assessment of the Threat

34. Some Possible Interventions • Mediation • Counseling • Disciplinary Action • Civil or Criminal Action

35. 10 Myths About Avengers • “He just snapped.” • “No one knew.” • “He didn’t fit the profile.” • “He hadn’t 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

36. 10 Myths About Avengers • “If only we’d had a SWAT team or metal detectors.” • “He’d 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

37. 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 doesn’t 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 I’m walking on eggshells around this person?

38. 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. • Don’t worry alone!

39. Survival Strategies in The Event of an Active Shooter

40. OUT!!!! Source: Center for Personal Protection & Safety 2007

41. Get Out Run!!!

42. Call Out Call 911!

43. Hide Out If you can’t get out, find a safe place to hide or play dead

44. Keep Out If you’re in a room you can’t leave, BARRICADE the door to keep the shooter out if possible

45. Take Out If there’s no way out, FIGHT!

46. July 27, 2008Witnesses recall Knoxville church shooting horror:‘He had gun leveled in our direction,’ says man who helped stop rampage

47. How “OUT” Strategies Saved Lives

48. 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!