 Dear Colleagues,
In light of the already high number of school shootings this year, questions have been raised as to how prepared the District and the colleges are to face this threat.
It is understandable why concerns are elevated. We are only 16 weeks into 2018, and there have already been 17 school shootings in the U.S. where someone was hurt or killed. The image of the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, after a former student killed 17 unsuspecting students and adults, is forever engraved in our minds. Moreover, when a would-be shooter was stopped before he attacked the campus of Norco College, it felt like the threat was at our doorstep.
The safety of our students and employees is my top priority. Although we cannot protect ourselves from all possible threats, our District has and will continue to be vigilant, strengthen our partnerships and collaboration with all levels of local law enforcement, assess best practices, and make every possible effort to enhance the safety of our colleges and centers. I think it is important to review the affirmative steps already taken by the District as well as some of the things each one of us can do to enhance safety and be prepared.
District Public Safety and Security Enhancements
In 2013, RSCCD formed a task force to study campus safety following the Santa Monica College shootings earlier that year. The task force, led by former Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters, found that armed public safety officers would be able to respond much more quickly than local police departments to an on-campus threat.
In 2015, the Board of Trustees approved moving forward with a plan to permit RSCCD public safety officers to carry firearms at Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon colleges. Initially, the Public Safety and Security Department would be a hybrid force with the chief and managers carrying firearms. Over time, all RSCCD safety and security officers would be armed.
Our campuses are some of the few with armed officers in Orange County. We have seven total armed officers protecting our campuses. These officers have completed a rigorous evaluation process and are ready to respond if the need arises. This is a significant step forward. In the event of an active shooter or any threat, immediate response is possible.
An additional five current unarmed district safety officers have completed training, a psychological evaluation, and an advanced background check in preparation for converting their status to armed, senior district safety officers. On March 27, these five officers completed the state BSIS (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) required certification training bringing the total to 12 armed safety and security officers. We anticipate hiring an additional four new armed safety and security officers to fill vacant positions in the coming weeks bringing the total of armed officers to 16 throughout the District.
Last week, on Tuesday, April 17, our Board of Trustees and the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Board of Education held a joint board meeting to discuss various areas of collaboration including how RSCCD and SAUSD are working together to enhance student and employee safety. Our safety and security department is also connected with local law enforcement and works with campus vice presidents, deans of student affairs and others to conduct threat assessments and other evaluations to ensure a safe campus environment. When preparing for any large special event, campus safety and security works with the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center to maintain awareness of any potential threats to our campuses requiring any special precautionary actions. District safety and security also has an FBI liaison that shares regular updates with the local higher education community.
Recent improvements to campus safety and security include:
- the addition of new radios districtwide to advance emergency communication and situational analysis. New radios were provided to campus leadership, building captains, floor wardens and at other strategic locations to ensure rapid response during emergencies.
- the addition of blue phones on the campuses and at the centers to enable individuals in distress to notify campus safety and security dispatch.
- the use of an emergency notification system to text and email and phone employees during emergencies.
- the availability of a campus public address system.
Next Steps to Improve Campus Safety
We are also focused on assessing the best means to lock all classrooms. Campus administrators have purchased magnetic locking devices that will work on most doors and are assessing how to lock the remaining doors. During spring break, campus personnel installed the magnetic devices on the compatible doors. Training is being provided to faculty and staff ensuring that everyone understands how to quickly lock doors should the need arise.
A list is being created indicating which classrooms require an alternative locking device and those with thumb turn locking mechanisms - and during the summer term, alternate locking devices will be identified and deployed to as many doors as possible. The goal is to have 80% of classrooms completed. The remaining classrooms requiring an alternate locking device will be assessed for a locking mechanism by the end of the year.
During the fall semester, the emphasis will be on training and communication. Reaching out to faculty and staff is part of the regular efforts of our safety and security officers. In recent weeks, presentations have been made to campus Management Council meetings, ASG town halls, and others.
During Flex Week in the fall, safety and security presentations spotlighting how to respond to active shooters will be scheduled and presented. A safety and security staff road show will provide training at the department level. Also in the works are campus-wide tabletop exercises followed by a large active shooter drill.
As you can tell, the District is committed to take the necessary steps to safeguard the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and the community. We are devoting the resources and personnel to ensure that we are ready to respond as needed should any threat to your safety and welfare occur.
What You Can Do to Prepare Yourself
Preparedness also requires a commitment by each one of us. Remember - if you "See Something, Say Something." If you witness anything that does not feel right or hear about a potential threat, please call campus security at 3-3-3 right away. If firefighters, paramedics or police are needed, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Hesitating may mean the loss of life or other serious consequences.
We encourage you to take advantage of the training and drills provided on your campus. Thinking in advance about the correct actions you should take when facing an imminent threat may save your life as well as others.
- Download the free LiveSafe app from the Android or Apple store.
- Set up your LiveSafe profile by following the steps available on the Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College LiveSafe websites listed below.
- Take the time to watch the videos which are posted on the district's website. Watching these yourself and sharing them with your students is very important.
Thank you for your dedication and support to our students, our community, and each other. Be safe!
Raúl
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