Elon University Campus Police Chief Dennis Franks shares important information about steps every member of our community should take to ensure their safety in an emergency situation.
Dear students, faculty and staff,
Our nation has again been rocked by a mass shooting at a school. Yesterday’s tragic shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon has left us shocked and deeply troubled. This incident also prompts us to think carefully about how to be prepared should this type of incident occur at Elon.
The first steps are to be aware of the university’s emergency response plan and think through the steps you would take to protect yourself. The university’s emergency response plan includes protocols for a variety of situations, and is reviewed several times each year and updated with the latest information. Here are some important information resources:
- Campus lockdown procedures and response to an active shooter: http://www.elon.edu/e-web/bft/safety/erp_ldp.xhtml
- Elon’s Emergency Response Guide: http://www.elon.edu/e-web/bft/safety/erp_intro.xhtml
A particularly important resource for our community is an educational video titled “Shots Fired on Campus.” This video explains the proper mindset each of us should have in the event of such an emergency, as well as how to spot behaviors of concern, and the courses of action to take during a potential shooting event. It also describes the law enforcement response and steps we can take to prevent such incidents.
We believe it is essential for all members of our community to watch this video. Go to:
https://www.elon.edu/SafetyVideo/
Use your Elon email username and password after you click the link to log in. You can also access the video from any Elon webpage by clicking on the “Emergency Info” link at the bottom of the page and then clicking the link to the “How you can prepare” page.
There are two other important steps every member of the Elon community should take:
- Sign up for the E-Alert emergency messaging system to get critical text messages on your cell phone and via email. To sign up, go to: http://www.elon.edu/e-alert. If you have signed up in the past, please check this link to make sure your subscription is still active and that you are receiving all types of campus alerts.
- Download the LiveSafe app for your smartphone. Using LiveSafe, you can send messages directly to Campus Safety and Police and receive push notifications for updates on campus conditions. To register for LiveSafe:
- Open Google Play or the Apple App Store on your phone. Search for “LiveSafe” and download the option with the blue shield.
- Tap “Sign up.” Fill in your profile information and create a password.
- Elon University may pop-up if you are close to campus. If so, tap “Yes”. Otherwise, tap “Change” to select Elon University.
- Let the Office of Student Health and Wellness know if you have any concerns about the behavior or welfare of anyone in our community.
Thank you for your strong partnership in keeping our community safe and secure. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. And, as always, remember to dial 911 if you encounter an emergency situation.
Dennis Franks
Chief/Director of Campus Safety & Police