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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, School Safety, Workplace Violence

New data released this week revealed: 17 percent of American students report being bullied 2-3 times a month or more within a school semester. Over 9% of girls and 14% of boys just watch their fellow classmates get bullied. Over 30% of girls and 22% of boys think they ought to help the bullied students, but don’t do anything about it. 80% of bullying is witnessed; but only 10% of witnesses/bystanders report incidents. Why are bystanders not reporting incidents? There are many reasons and some of the most common include: Some feel threatened or intimidated when reporting a bully or suspicious incident. Some do notRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, Workplace Violence

  What is your first thought when you hear the word WHISTLEBLOWER? Whistleblower definitions commonly say a whistleblower is any person that reveals wrongdoing or malpractices taking place within an organization.  And in many cases a whistleblower may face retaliation or other negative ramifications and by law may require special protection. What is your first thought when you hear the word HERO? Hero definitions run from mythical and legendary figures to a person that is admired for their achievements or noble qualities to a central figure in an event, period or movement. When is the last time you heard an organization promote their Hero Line? Read More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Business Continuity, Human Resources, Risk Management, School Safety, Workplace Violence

  In my previous blog I suggested that building a successful preparedness campaign is like building a skyscraper…and in some cases it seems like building a skyscraper may actually be easier than building a successful campus-wide or organization-wide preparedness effort. I mentioned that building a skyscraper and building a campus-wide or organization-wide preparedness effort have a lot in common and one of those common items is blueprints. Blueprints can be a technical drawing, a mechanical drawing, an architectural plan, a model, a prototype, a detailed plan of action and etc.  Blueprints can also include programs, policies, procedures, processes, guidelines, checklists and etc. But blueprints areRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Business Continuity, Emergency Management, Risk Management, School Safety, Workplace Violence

  I attended the Virginia Governor’s Campus Preparedness conference last week and had an interesting discussion with one of the attendees.  We were talking about how building preparedness across an organization or an entire campus is becoming more complex and more difficult due to escalating challenges, regulations, obligations, liabilities and much more. As our discussion continued, we started talking about how important tools can be when building campus-wide preparedness programs.   In reference to whether tools can make a difference, I offered the following analogy: Could a skyscraper be built using a hammer, a saw and some nails? The attendee responded quickly, yes the skyscraper couldRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Human Resources, Incident Reporting, Workplace Violence

  Did you see the article in the USA Today last week regarding TSA keeping a database of pushy flyers? The pushy fliers program was launched in 2007 to help prevent the nation’s 50,000 airport screeners from being attacked or threatened.  TSA officials voiced concern about passengers disrespecting screeners so they began issuing new uniforms with police style badges pinned to shirts.  According to the article, the database has records from about 240 incidents and most are screeners in conflict with other screeners and 30 incidents involve passengers or airport workers attacking or threatening screeners. Based on my experiences leaving a New York area airportRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Risk Management, School Safety, Workplace Violence

  A recent report from the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has revealed that since 1995, a much higher percentage (33%) of terrorist attacks in the United States were conducted by unaffiliated individuals, rather than by organized groups. From the Oklahoma City bombing to more recent attacks like Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, and the University of Alabama, another commonality has also been revealed; in 80% of the incidents, red flags and warning signs exist, but are often not identified. There are many reasons red flags go unreported.  Victims or bystanders may fear retaliation or theyRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Workplace Violence

  awareness and preparedness efforts. While we have done a considerable amount of research on this topic, there were a few items in this presentation that grabbed my attention: 1) Zero reports of violence do not equal zero violence This is a critical statement for employers to understand and address.  Over 80% of violent incidents have clear warning signs, but red flags are often not reported.  How is your organization ensuring your employees, third-parties, etc. understand their responsibility to report suspicious incidents, threats, etc.?  Have you made it easy for employees to submit an incident report?  Can they do so anonymously?  Once an employee submitsRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Campus Safety, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Legal, Workplace Violence

  Have you noticed recently how the media, safety experts and government leaders are focusing on the failure of organizations to connect-the-dots and the failure to identify red flags prior to emergency and crisis situations occurring? And have you noticed these failures have been going on for years?  Virginia Tech administrators received warnings of Cho’s mental instability prior to the tragic shooting that left 23 students dead.    The Fort Hood shooter revealed multiple red flags ignored in a failure to share critical information.  Most recently, the University of Alabama professor revealed a past full of violent tendencies, mental illness and criminal activities. Why are soRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Emergency Management, Incident Reporting, Legal, School Safety, Workplace Violence

Could stabbing have been prevented? A recent article discussing the brutal stabbing of a UCLA student in chemistry lab has raised difficult questions asking why disturbed students are allowed to remain at school despite red flags and obvious warning signs.  Since Virginia Tech, campuses across the Nation have been working to identify troubled students and potential warning signs of mental illness, violence or other problems.  However, identifying red flags and connecting the dots across multiple people (students, faculty, dorm advisors, mental health, law enforcement, etc.) can be extremely difficult and seemingly very complex.  Students and faculty members said that the UCLA attacker had exhibited erraticRead More →

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In: *Connecting the Dots Blog*, Incident Reporting, School Safety, Workplace Violence

I recently caught a Dr. Phil segment focusing on bullying in schools…yes, I was watching Dr. Phil! Bullying in schools is a serious problem that has escalated to include verbal and cyber harassment, physical beatings, social humiliation and death threats.  In several cases, the bullying victims have even resorted to suicide to escape the tormenting of their peers.    On the show, Dr. Phil offered insight and advice on bullying targeted at tween girls.   Dr. Phil’s web site offers suggestions on how to launch an anti-bullying campaign with pledges for students, parents, teachers and faculty.  An excerpt from the Student Pledge is below: We theRead More →