Recent shootings at college campuses in North Carolina and Florida have reignited conversations about security measures in these institutions.
The incidents: On Monday, an armed assailant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill fatally shot a faculty member, leading to a three-hour lockdown.
* On Saturday, a gunman drove onto Edward Waters University’s campus in Florida and after a confrontation with a public safety officer, left the site and killed three Black people at a nearby store.
Responses: Both state authorities and the institutions have taken steps in response to these incidents.
* Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered $1 million for campus security at Edward Waters University and $100,000 for the victims’ families, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is also monitoring the campus.
* In North Carolina, Governor Ron Cooper has pledged “any assistance necessary” for the UNC community. In addition, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz plans to offer counseling services and “opportunities to grieve and process.”
Data on campus shootings: Attacks on higher education campuses in the U.S are infrequent but have been underreported.
* According to research from the Violence Project and Best Colleges, at least 98 people have been killed in 12 mass shootings at U.S. colleges since 1966, with 75% of these incidents occurring in the last 16 years.
Expert advice: Steven Healy, CEO of campus security firm Healy+ Group, emphasizes the need for proactive measures on campuses.
* Campuses must strike a balance between openness and student safety while proactively recognizing and understanding potential threats.
* Practices should include developing collaborative threat assessment teams, improving emergency preparedness, and implementing robust critical incident management programs.
* Campus security involves a combination of preventive measures and response capabilities, such as conducting regular drills and investing in resourceful personnel.
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