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Your source for the latest tips, information, and current campus safety resources from the NCCPS.
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New DOJ Resource on Promoting Safer Families and Communities
Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office on Violence Against Women launched the National Domestic Violence and Firearms Resource Center's
Safer Families, Safer Communities website to help agencies and organizations work together to prioritize victim safety and to address the challenges that communities face in responding to firearm-involved domestic violence. The
federal Gun Control Act prohibits anyone subject to a domestic violence protective order and those who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes against select individuals, among other classes of individuals, from purchasing, possessing, and/or receiving firearms and ammunition.
The
Safer Families, Safer Communities Project
seeks to reduce firearm-involved domestic violence and homicide by helping communities coordinate these efforts and effectively implement and enforce firearm prohibitions across all systems. The website highlights the significance of an approach focused on addressing five key areas: criminal, civil, federal, purchase prevention, and resources. All five areas are associated with effectively enforcing firearms prohibitions and disarming domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.
Visit the
Safer Families, Safer Communities
website
to access a variety of resources, including community strategies, research, relevant information, and tools.
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| Download the guide. |
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New Release:
Active Shooter Awareness Guidance
In September 2016, the
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) released the updated
Active Shooter Awareness Guidance
(PDF) that includes access and functional needs (AFN) considerations. This new guidance was prompted by the December 2, 2015 terror attack at the Inland Regional Center, which serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in San Bernardino, California. Initial reports indicated the attack was an assault on the disabled. While this was later proven false, the idea of an attack on disabled persons raised serious concerns, particularly over lack of training and guidance regarding AFN considerations during an active shooter attack. Cal OES' Office of Access and Functional Needs led the effort to develop this updated, first-of-its-kind guide.
The guidance addresses three specific audiences - workforce management, individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, and law enforcement/first responders - and how they should support the safety and security of individuals with disabilities and persons with an AFN during an active shooter attack.
Run. Hide. Fight.®, one of the current recommended models in an active shooter situation, is examined in the context of each of the three audiences as well as each step in the model and AFN-related implications. The guidance also covers effective communication during an active shooter situation for both law enforcement and individuals with a disability or AFN. It addresses the specific and unique needs of individuals who may:
- Be blind or have low vision;
- Have cognitive disabilities;
- Be deaf or hard of hearing;
- Have mental or behavioral health issues;
- Have service animals;
- Have physical disabilities; or
- Be pregnant.
This guidance could serve as a model for institutions of higher education and public safety departments as they update their all-hazard emergency operation plans to be more inclusive of individuals with disabilities and persons with an AFN both on and off campus.
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Learn more about the webinar. |
Registration Closes Soon for Our Next Free Webinar!
Eliminating sexual violence on college campuses and their communities requires a comprehensive approach to primary prevention based on the best available research evidence. On
Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 2:00PM ET, Dr. Basile will discuss the latest research on sexual violence.
Registration closes on
Monday, October 17, 2016. We hope you are able to join us!
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Kathy Willens/AP Photo
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Clowns on Campus
Widespread reports of creepy clown sightings and related threats of criminal activity are increasingly affecting campus public safety and police departments across the world. These clown sightings and incidents can impede the safe and supportive educational environment that institutions strive for.
Some claims and threats involving clowns are believed to be hoaxes, but each should be taken seriously. Recently, there have been serious incidents involving clowns and associated criminal activity such as assaults. William Taylor, former president of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators and chief of police at Collin College in Texas, advised that regardless of how absurd a safety concern may seem, college officials must avoid too quickly dismissing it as a hoax, even if that has been the case at other campuses.
With Halloween approaching, campus officials may consider taking this opportunity to reiterate the appropriate and innovative means of communication their community has to report incidents of fear or concern. Many campuses use mobile safety apps or text and tip lines that allow students and employees to expediently report issues to campus safety officials, and this can be a reminder about their effectiveness. Campuses should also evaluate their strategy for monitoring social media should a local concern occur.
In addition, consider reminding your community about:
- Campus policies, city ordinances, and/or state laws surrounding threatening behavior or verbal threats
- Campus policies, city ordinances, and/or state laws regarding false reporting
- The negative impact or severe consequences that pranks can have
- Costume choices for Halloween-related activities given the current culture of fear and threats associated with clowns
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Access our online calendar of events. |
Professional Development Opportunities
Title:
Responding to Rape Denial: A Talk with Jody Raphael, Author of Rape is Rape
Organization:
Battered Women's Justice Project
Date:
October 18, 2016 at 2:00PM CT
Location:
Online
Fee:
Free
Title:
2016 Public Safety Symposium
Organization:
International Public Safety Association
Dates:
October 25-26, 2016
Location:
Tempe, AZ
Fee:
Registration fee
Title:
Essentials of Community Cybersecurity
Organization:
International Bullying Prevention Association
Date: November 2, 2016
Location: Lyons, NY
Fee:
Free
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Campus Public Safety Online
Past NCCPS webinars are available to view.
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Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication Institute
Join us for one of our scheduled institutes!
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Have a Request?
Send us your requests for campus safety information and resources. We're happy to help!
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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.
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