|
Members of the Smith Community:
The college's crisis
management plan is regularly updated to ensure that we manage effectively should
a crisis occur. The current plan was updated a year ago and reviewed last spring
in light of the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. That incident raised questions
such as:
Over the past few months we
have reviewed a range of security enhancements relating to emergency notification
systems, radio communications, the blue light phone system, door and window security,
lighting and so on. The college is also considering the role of Smith's public safety officers when they encounter armed and violent
situations, including the extent to which they should be armed. Currently Smith's
officers are armed with pepper spray and batons, but they do not carry firearms.
To
help us evaluate the college's response to violent situations, we have
engaged a consultant, Operational Support Services Law Enforcement Advisors, to help
us consider issues related to arming officers. The company has expertise in risk
management, policy development and law enforcement training. The firm also has experience
working with our insurer, United Educators, on legal matters resulting from gun incidents
on campuses. When the consultant's review is completed this fall, the recommendations
will help inform discussions we will hold on campus about the appropriate role for
Smith's officers and firearms.
The consultants will meet with a number of staff,
faculty and students over the next month. The firm will study campus and city crime
statistics relative to national trends, and they will also meet with Northampton
and state police to understand their capabilities, their response issues and their
expectations of Smith's officers
when they respond to a campus emergency. In addition, you can share your thoughts
with us by e-mail. Messages sent to safetystudy@smith.edu will be read by both of
us and carefully considered in the course of the review.
We are fortunate to have
a good campus safety record and a good relationship with the nearby Northampton police
department. In this context, we can study these issues carefully rather than confronting
them during a crisis. Considering the appropriate level of arming for public safety
officers is a challenging issue and one that we take seriously as part of our responsibility
to the Smith community.
 |
|
Carol Christ
President |
Ruth Constantine
Vice President for Finance and Administration |
|
