City College News

"This is a lockdown. Repeat. This is a lockdown. We have an emergency. Go to the nearest office or classroom and secure yourself inside."

These are the words found in MCTC's Emergency Procedures Handbook and will be projected over the loud speakers if any unforeseen situation were to occur on our campus.

Despite the size of our school in comparison to Virginia Tech's, it would be naive to ignore the possibility of a serious threat. Director of Public Safety, Curt Schmidt, noted that, "MCTC is not immune to what happened at Virginia Tech."

MCTC is a public building in a high traffic area. We are located in Downtown Minneapolis, surrounded by major interstates and parks.

Any transient off the street can stroll into our cafeteria if they please -- and they have. But still, Schmidt doesn't see our school using metal detectors or resorting to photo ID's, saying that "we want openness."

MCTC student Jens Egsgaard noted that, "there's crazy people everywhere."

So how do we balance a free flowing environment and security?

MCTC has Emergency Call Boxes located throughout campus, and by June 30th there will be exterior call boxes as well. The advantages of these call boxes is that if Public Safety are unable to respond, the Minneapolis Police Department will.

The paging system would be the quickest way to relay an immediate threat to students. Schmidt also noted that, "the use of cameras is invaluable."

MCTC also has a Crisis Response Team in the building, as well as an Emergency Response Mobilization Team. ??However, Public Safety Officers do not carry guns or even tazers. But in a crisis, or any important information pertaining to an emergency, it should be brought forth to Public Safety.

There is a large disparity between age amongst students at MCTC. Most recent graduates have practiced lock down procedures in High School, but many of the older students never have.

So what takes place during a lockdown?

According to Campus Lockdown Procedures, in the event of a lockdown:

1. Close all doors and lock, if possible 2. Turn off all the lights and unnecessary equipment 3. Instruct Students to remain calm and quiet as possible 4. Stay away from the windows 5. Do not allow anyone to leave until notified by emergency personnel

The handbook also discourages any attempts of heroism, not looking the perpetrator in the eyes, and to not initiate a fire alarm.

The events at Virginia Tech are a sad reminder that even at school, our safety can't be taken for granted.

Still, we are encouraged to carry on our normal routines at school and use this a painful lesson to learn from. Said Egsgaard, "I won't live my life in fear."

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