1. Workplace and Personal Safety “Staying Safe on Campus”
Tony Berger
PLU - Director of Campus Safety
Joe Bell
PLU – Environmental, Health & Safety Manager
March 20, 2008
Thank you inviting us…
Tony. 21 years of law enforcement experience: patrol deputy/juvenile investigation/domestic violence/sexual assault/crime analysis information unit. PLU unique opportunity to contract with the Pierce County Sherriff Department full-time CS Director since Dec
Separate incidents that have occurred in the library that have given cause for concern.
Safety and Security Task Force has asked that we offer this training several additional times this spring to various departments.
So, you are our BETA Test…We would like your feedback to assist us in making this presentation as pertinent and complete as possible.

2. Workplace and Personal Safety “Staying Safe on Campus”
Why Violence Happens
Prevention Management
Keeping Yourself Safe
Defusing Skills
Objectives to Presentation…
Why? You name it. Personal problems (relationships and divorce, money, substance abuse), professional problems (individual and conflict issues), mental health (depression, etc.), other health (terminal illnesses, etc.), all cause people to act out. Some act violently.
Prevention: Pay attention to mood swings, absenteeism, erratic behavior. If you feel comfortable, talk it out and recommend help. If not, talk to a supervisor or mutual friend. If problems persist and you have tried to help call Campus Safety.
Safe: Do not confront bad behavior in kind. Be the adult, offer help. If confronted, back away or seek help.
Skills: Some of us are better than others at defusing a volatile situation. Be non-accusatory and non-threatening. Don’t blame or get mad in return. Be calm. If the situation still escalates, look for a way out, buy time for yourself.

3. Workplace Personal Safety “Staying Safe on Campus”
Workplace Violence Usually Falls into 4 Categories
Violence by Strangers
Violence by a Customer
Violence by Co-worker
Present or Former
Violence by Personal Relations
*Workplace Violence Is: Any situation in the workplace that threatens an employee’s physical or psychological well being or causes damage to company property.
Strangers – Perpetrator has no relationship to business / employees, just committing a crime (robbery most common) in junction with the violence (verbal threats, threatening behavior or physical assault. Working / walking alone late at night. Dangerous situation, most fatalities related to workplace violence. Pay close attention to those in your work area. Do you know him? Does he appear to know what he is doing? Does he/she appear to belong? What other motivation might he/she have to be here (to stay warm, to use the bathroom, to steal stuff, etc.) Do not be afraid to ask questions. If the response is hostile, call CS right away.
2) Customer – Legitimate relationship with library and becomes violent while being served. Employee providing direct service. Represents majority of non-fatal injury in WA. Try not to escalate the situation. Live to fight another day. Get the person’s name for follow-up.
Co-worker – Employee or former employee. Any workplace at risk. The perpetrator may commit violence (verbal / physical) for any reason: harass & embarrass (ongoing conflicts w/ supervisor or co-workers), revenge (loss of job), frustration (threat of job loss/discipline/failure to receive raise or promotion), fear, emotional instability (substance abuse/financial difficulties/low self-esteem). A lot of attention to this type of violence, although a small percentage of fatalities. Try to work it out, go to supervisor. Go through established grievance procedure if you feel you have not gotten satisfaction.
Personal Relations – Not a relationship w/ business, although relationship with intended victim outside the workplace. Includes: Former spouse (divorce/separation), love (break-up/stalking), relative, friend, acquaintance. Ask advice from professionals, Women’s Center, Campus Safety, etc.

4. Prevention Methods Employee Management Escort Visitors to Destinations
Report Unexpected Presence to CS
Keep CS Phone # Handy
Report Any Signs of Break-in, Missing Items, or Disturbances to CS
Create a Threat Code Word, Phrase, or Signal among Co-workers
Maintain PLU Security Codes and Passwords in Strictest Confidence
Management
Provide Security, Passwords and Codes, Surveillance Cameras, Restricted Entry
Screen Job Applicants
Security “Hot Line” for Reporting Threats
Restricted from Campus Policy and Notification
Not sure what “Hot Line” means.
“Hot Line”: x7911
Campus Safety Emergency “Blue Light” Stations.

5. Library Notification Sign-in Boards
Procedures? How do you keep your building / work area notified during off-hours?
Left: North loading dock, look here for CSIN or Custodial, etc. If alarm is de-activated (off) before/after hours and nothing is written on the board call CS
Right: South entrance to CATS. CSIN usually does not come in here.

6. 3A’s Be “Aware” Stay “Alert” Be “Assertive” Areas of Particular Danger
Stairwells, Alleyways, Elevators, Unlit Hallways, Parking Lots and Garages
Stay “Alert”
Don’t be Distracted
Watch People Around You
Listen for Unusual Noises / Movement
Be “Assertive”
Look Confident, Purposeful, and Organized
Keep Head Up, Know Where You Are Going, Limit Contact With Strangers, Keep One Hand Free
Report Suspicious Characters or Situations
Your best defense against crime are knowledge and foresight.
Never underestimate your ability to protect yourself…
You can take steps to avoid being a victim.
Aware: Make it your business to watch what is going on around you.
Be aware of particular areas of danger.
Alert: As much as possible don’t be distracted by other concerns.
Assertive: Avoid sending out the message that you are an easy target.

7. Personal Conduct Do’s and Don’ts
Communicate Hostilities
Reject Demands
Pose in Challenging Stances
Make Sudden Movements
Challenge, Threaten, or Dare
Criticize
Attempt to Bargain
Lessen the Situation
Make False Statements
Take Sides
Invade the Individuals Space
DO’S
Project Calmness
Be Empathetic Listener
Focus Attention
Maintain Relaxed Posture
Acknowledge Feelings
Ask for Small, Specific Favors
Establish Ground Rules
Use Delaying Tactics
Be Reassuring
Accept Criticism
Ask for Recommendations
Avoid Being Blocked from Exit
Defusing Skills
Do’s
Move and speak slowly, quietly & softly
Encourage the individual to talk and listen patiently
Focus on the other person to let them know you are interested
At right angles instead of in-front
Acknowledge the person is upset
Ie: Move to a quieter area
If unreasonable behavior continues, calmly describe the consequences of violent behavior
To give person time to calm down
Point out choices, Break bigger issues into smaller ones
Don’ts
Use styles of communication that generate hostilities: brush-off, coldness, apathy, strickly by the rules, condensceding, or run-around
From the start
Directly in front of, hands on hips, crossing arms. No physical contact, figer pointing, long fixed eye contact
Seen as threatening. Tone/volume of voice/rate of speech
Do not belittle, make the person feel foolish
Act impatiently toward agitated individual
Promises you can not keep

8. Problem Solving Scenarios
Employee receives a worrisome/threatening , text message?
An argument breaks out in library and escalates into a physical altercation?
A colleague confides about fear regarding a potential workplace violence situation?
A student must walk home from a night class. How can you make this safer?
You feel threatened or bullied by a colleague, student, visitor?
You have a new employee. What do they need to know about safety in your dept.?
PLU Violence Prevention Policy, Report Form, Personal Safety Policy

9. Workplace and Personal Safety “Staying Safe on Campus”
Reading Material: “The Gift of Fear”
Author: Gavin DeBecker
QUESTIONS ?
COMMENTS ?
Book: Author whose philosophy is freedom from fear…Based upon self intuition…Act upon your survival signals…Trust your instincts…Don’t create fear where there is none
Distinguishes between true danger and imagined danger.