Expert: Some college campuses have false sense of security

Aug 15, 2006 3:22 PM

Some college campuses -- especially small ones -- might believe they are immune from terrorist activity. But that sense of security is false, says Paul M. Cell, chief of the Montclair State University Police Department.
"Each institution has its own unique appeal to the various terrorist causes," says Cell, who is certified in terrorism response and prevention training for law enforcement.
In addition to the more publicized dangers campuses face -- the bombing of a large research university's nuclear facilities, for example -- incidents that are smaller in scope but still threatening to the campus community can also occur, such as targeting an individual staff or faculty member because of controversial research or running a Web site supporting a terrorist organization.
Another common misconception is that a general emergency plan will be adequate in responding to such incidents, Cell says. "The most commonly overlooked security concern at many colleges and universities is the belief that just having an emergency plan is enough," he says. "All too often, emergency plans are not exercised, updated, or properly disseminated to the community."
On August 23, Cell will detail how to conduct thorough campus risk, threat, and vulnerability assessments for all types of institutions during a live, 90-minute audio conference entitled "Level Red: A Community Approach to Mitigating Campus Terrorism." The focus will be on a multidisciplinary, multi- jurisdictional approach to campus preparedness.
The event, sponsored by Magna Publications Inc., will also include information about how to recognize the potential warning signs of behaviors commonly associated with terrorist activities on campus; the terminology and methodology associated with domestic and international terrorism; the new threat in terrorist activity involving the use of street gangs; how to identify types of weapons of mass destruction and how they could be employed on a college campus; the reciprocal benefits of a using multidisciplinary, multi-jurisdictional approach to campus preparedness; and the steps needed to create a safer work environment by protecting personal, office and building spaces.
To register for the live event, visit www.magnapubs.com/calendar/83.html.

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