Safety

Yesterday was a busy day, went in to work as usual, ran home in the afternoon to help unload two pallets of flooring that was delivered, then went back to work in the evening to have a hospice discussion with a patient and her daughter who was unable to be there earlier.

As I was leaving passed someone being threatened by a group of youts over near Lot 9. Stopped, but someone else had already called 911 and they showed up minutes after me. Turned out the person being threatened had spotted the juveniles throwing rocks at cars in the lot and tried to interfere. Some arrests were made and everyone went home.

This morning when I checked my email I found a Message from the Chancellor (Not to me specifically, just a general message) outlining what had happened and expressing how concerned he is for our safety.

I’m grateful this employee was not harmed, and want to take this opportunity to say that we are very committed to employee safety. Below are a few things you can do should you feel threatened while on campus:

· Don’t be polite or engage in conversation

· Immediately call Campus Police at 686-7777 or call 911

· Use an emergency phone placed around the campus marked by flashing blue lights



In addition, our Police Department reminds us to take the following precautions every day:

· Never walk alone if at all possible.

· Walk in well-lighted areas

· Keep a cell phone handy

· Be aware of your surroundings

· If you see someone acting suspiciously, change direction and call Campus Police

· Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle.

· Campus Police are always available to escort you to your vehicle



For other safety tips, visit www./police.



The safety of our employees, patients and visitors is our top priority. If you have any suggestions on how we can make our campus even safer, I’d welcome your comments.


You'll notice that nowhere in this does he mention the big stickers on every entrance making it a victim disarmament zone or say that he fought against the law that failed last week allowing campus carry for faculty and employees.

I'm certain he doesn't want my suggestions. I'm also sure that I'd better not make any, considering campus politics and the economy. Our campus is open 24/7, we come and go at odd hours (just like I did last night) and it's situated right across the street from one of the 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the country.

I've worked in hospitals throughout the country. I had my arm broken in an ED, been threatened with a knife by a patient family member, caught a thief on a patient's room and was pushed, hit and knocked down in his getaway, found homeless people sleeping in a closed part of the hospital, been kicked and hit multiple times (not always by patients, sometimes family members are much worse) and yet not one of those hospitals wanted me to file charges, and doing so got me on the no re-hire list at one hospital. All of them were posted no carry. Nurses and techs are regularly threatened with violence, Physicians less often, and yet these are always the only suggestions TPTB can come up with for safety. It's nauseating.