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Margolis and Healy address recent spate of campus violence

For immediate release:  September 17, 2009
Media contact: Dr. Gary J. Margolis, 1-866-817-5817
 
National campus safety experts concerned about recent spate of campus violence
Margolis and Healy available to speak about steps to safer campuses
                                     
Richmond, VT.  Two of the nation’s leading experts in campus safety and security have issued a statement today regarding the recent instances of campus violence. Steven J. Healy was the Director of Public Safety at Princeton University from 2003 to 2009 and is a past president of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. Dr. Gary Margolis was the Chief of Police at the University of Vermont from 1998 to 2009 and is a Past General Chair of the University & College Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
 
We are extremely saddened by the recent spate of violence occurring on our campuses across the nation. The tragic murder of Ms. Annie Le at Yale University is one of a number of violent crimes that have occurred during this opening month of the academic year.
 
While college and university campuses are not immune to the types of violence that plague the rest of society, our campuses are generally known as safe harbors – places where students can learn relatively free from the fear of crime.  Unfortunately, this recent cycle of violence, sometimes perpetuated by individuals from outside the institution and in the case of Ms. Le, by an individual inside the campus, is causing many to question the state of safety at our colleges and universities.
 
While we know, based on our extensive careers in law enforcement, that it is impossible to prevent every crime, we believe there are proven steps that institutions should take to make our campuses safer.  These steps will help ensure that institutions can prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of incidents.  We implore the higher education community to dispel the myth that “bad things won’t happen here.” This denial prevents campuses from taking reasonable steps and can be a major obstacle to safer campuses. 
 
Here are 5 basic steps that every institution should take today:
 
1.  Conduct a safety and security vulnerability assessment using a multidisciplinary approach.

2.  Enhance emergency preparedness by following FEMA’s 4 Phases of Emergency Management.
 
3.  Implement a threat assessment and management strategy that includes a threat assessment team, training for the team, and appropriate policies and protocols.
4.  Re-think crime prevention education – every campus should make on-going safety awareness programs mandatory for all students, faculty and staff. These programs should include basic safety messages, information on sexual violence and other crimes against women, and frank discussions on what is acceptable behavior.

5.  Ensure that the campus’ protection agency is appropriately empowered, trained and equipped to deal with a wide range of critical events.
 
More information about Steven Healy and Dr. Gary Margolis is available at: www.margolis-healy.com