The Weekly Snapshot

Your source for the latest tips, information, and current campus safety resources from the National Center.

Is Your Institution Prepared For A Civil Disturbance?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), civil disturbance is "a civil unrest activity such as a demonstration, riot, or strike that disrupts a community and requires intervention to maintain public safety." Civil disturbances or unrest can cause a variety of subsequent issues such as violence and assault, disorderly conduct, vandalism, or larceny.

The recent, intense events that have transpired in Ferguson, Missouri, serve as a significant reminder to businesses, including institutes of higher education, to develop and maintain, or review comprehensive emergency preparedness and response operations plans within the emergency management system. FEMA states the emergency operations plans "define the scope of preparedness and incident management activities necessary for an institution."

For resources regarding campus safety, law enforcement strategies and emergency management planning, please visit the NCCPS website page on civil disturbances.

Environmental Strategies for Reducing Alcohol-Related Issues on Campuses

Environmental management strategies are based on the fact that people's behavior is influenced by environmental factors such as

messages in the media, community and social norms and attitudes, policies and practices, and the availability of alcohol. There is research-based evidence proving the effectiveness of environmental strategies in preventing alcohol problems. Important elements in an environmental management framework involve education, enforcement, and policy implementation. Some protective measures that can be taken include managing the availability of alcohol, enforcing existing laws and rules, and assessing how alcohol is promoted, sold and served. We're interested in successful or promising environmental management strategies that you may have. Resources gathered may be posted on the NCCPS website or highlighted in a future edition of the Weekly Snapshot. If you're interested in sharing, please contact us at info@nccpsafety.org.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2013-MU-BX-K011 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice.