Campus Safety

Do not hesitate to contact the SRO or the police about suspicious activity. Do not worry about being overreactive or being embarrassed to call the police - it is better to alert someone about the issue than ignore it. You are not bothering police when you see something suspicious.

• Person(s) loitering about at unusual hours and locations.
• Person(s) running—especially if something of value is being carried. The individual(s) could be fleeing the scene of a crime.
• Person(s) exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms. The individual(s) could be under the influence of drugs or otherwise needing medical or psychiatric assistance.

Doors should never be left open for visitors. Any visitors that come to campus must enter through door 4. If someone approaches you and asks you to let them in the building, please direct them to door 4 to check-in and receive a visitors badge. 

RUN: Evacuate If Possible

• If there is considerable distance between you and the gunfire/armed person, quickly move away from the sound of the gunfire/armed person. If the gunfire/armed person is in your building and it is safe to do so, run out of the building and move far away until you are in a secure place to hide.
• Leave your belongings behind.
• Keep your hands visible to law enforcement.
• Take others with you, but do not stay behind because others will not go.
• More Cathedral specific information on running can be found later in the document

HIDE: Hide silently in as safe a place as possible

• If the shooter is in close proximity and you cannot evacuate safely, hide in an area out of the armed person’s view.
• Choose a hiding place with thicker walls and fewer windows, if possible.
• Lock doors and barricade with furniture, if possible.
• Turn off lights
• Silence phones and turn off other electronics.
• Close windows, shades and blinds, and avoid being seen from outside the room, if possible.
• If you are outdoors and cannot RUN safely, find a place to hide that will provide protection from gunfire such as a brick wall, large trees or buildings.
• Remain in place until you receive an “all clear” signal from Blackboard Connect.

FIGHT: Take action to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter

• As a last resort, fight. If you cannot evacuate or hide safely and only when your life is in imminent danger, take action.
• Attempt to incapacitate or disrupt the actions of the shooter.
• Act with physical aggression toward the shooter.
• Use items in your area such as fire extinguishers or chairs.
• Throw items at the shooter if possible.