If a shooter ever stormed into a University classroom, LSUPD says the most important things to do are to find a place to hide, find a way to shield oneself and decide whether to fight back.
That’s exactly what the video “Shots Fired, When Lightning Strikes,” asks viewers to do. The video is geared to preparing universities for an active shooter scenario.
The video is part of LSUPD’s new website, www.lsu.edu/police, launching today. The website also offers increased communication efforts through news feeds for crime alerts and media releases, electronic forms for police requests and submission methods, anonymous tip submission, information for bicycle registration and other police services, according to a news release.
“Active Shooter situations are contemporary crimes and though, as the training iterates, your chances of encountering such a situation are less than that of being struck by lightning, LSU has ensured preparation through the training of first responders and campus essential staff,” said Lawrence Rabalais, LSUPD chief of police, in the release.
According to the video, there are three factors — awareness, preparation and rehearsal — which lead viewers to have a “survival mindset” in the event of an active shooter.
The video can be accessed at www.lsu.edu/shotsfired. Students, faculty and staff must log in with an active PAWS account to view the video and other training curricula, according to the release.
“Not only can you stream through the Web, you can view a PowerPoint presentation,” said Det. Kevin Scott, LSUPD spokesman.
Scott said he does not think an active shooter threat is imminent, but everyone has a chance of being victimized.
“This is the best method to protect yourself,” Scott said.
Scott said the department decided to put the video online because it’s the best way to reach LSU’s campus of about 30,000 people.
The video and presentation have been shown to campus communicators and members of various faculty and staff departments and organizations, Scott said.
Scott said LSUPD plans to show the presentation to certain groups and organizations like the University Lab School, student and parent orientation, Residential Life, LSU Ambassadors and the Greek community.
“It’s 18 minutes of your entire life to receive valuable guidance,” Scott said.
Scott said it is also important to educate the University community on observing behaviors than could be warning signs.
An example, Scott said, was the Virginia Tech shooter, who was undergoing mental health counseling at the time of the incident.
One monitor of such warning signs is the C.A.R.E. [Communication, Assess, Refer, Educate] team, a multi-department staff that meets every Monday at 10 a.m., said Jennie Stewart, assistant director of Student Advocacy and Accountability and C.A.R.E. manager.
“The C.A.R.E. team assesses behaviors and provides resources for LSU at the forefront after Virginia Tech,” Scott said.
Stewart said the team is on high alert for students facing mental trouble.
“We discuss cases of any students who might be in crisis, stressful situations or have exhibited concerning behaviors,” Stewart said.
Students appearing on police reports, exhibiting a change in behavior or being reported by concerned peers, faculty members or parents are reviewed by the committee, Stewart said.
Stewart said if the behavior is impacting others, the committee could mandate that a student receive help in some form through the Student Code of Conduct.
“Early intervention leads to a more successful student and safer community,” Stewart said.
Stewart, who attended one of the LSUPD video presentations, said the presentation is helpful in indicating there are approaches to the situation for which people need to mentally prepare.
“Be alert, aware and mentally prepared are the best messages that came out of the video,” Stewart said.
 
 
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Contact Celeste Ansley at [email protected]