After the December mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., Syracuse University officials are re-evaluating the school’s safety protocols.

With recent school shootings sending shockwaves across the country, the Department of Public Safety is thoroughly prepared in the event an active shooter comes onto campus, DPS Chief Tony Callisto said.

“Since the Virginia Tech shooting, we’ve paid attention to preventing campus shootings every year,” Callisto said. “Every time there’s a major shooting we always review our shooter protocol.”

One-in-four campus police departments are unprepared to handle a school shooting, according to a Jan. 2 Campus Safety magazine survey. But SU and its Emergency Preparedness Committee have taken precautions to ensure the university is prepared to handle such an incident.

“We’re very much prepared,” Callisto said. “Our officers are trained, and the Orange Alert system provides a tool to get word out as quickly as possible.”

The Orange Alert system is signaled by a campus-wide siren, followed by messages sent to every student and faculty member through phone calls, text messages and emails. The alerts notify every person of the occurring crisis and direct him or her to safety.

DPS officers arrive at the scene less than two minutes after they leave to respond to the call. Members of the campus community can also receive an Orange Alert providing them with instructions, Callisto said.

The instructions follow the Emergency Procedures Reference Guide, which can be found at the bottom of the homepage of the university’s website, Callisto said.

Along with Orange Alert and the Community Response Guidelines to an Active Shooter Incident, DPS peace officers are required to undergo “extensive and comprehensive” active shooter training once every two years, Callisto said. The “simunitions” — simulations with non-lethal ammo — require DPS officers to run drills and formations for every building on campus. The simunitions have been practiced since 2007.

“Training simulations are based on past incidents, current and previous statistics, and various input from other law enforcement agencies. The training for most agencies including DPS, are scenario based and as realistic as feasible,” DPS Training and Recruitment Cpl. Adam Wheeler said in an email.

The response to an active shooter also includes use of lethal force, according to the Community Response Guidelines. It notes that officers “might be armed with rifles, handguns or shotguns” in the event of a campus shooting. Callisto said DPS has 70 armed officers, and there are a minimum of eight armed officers on campus at all times.

Despite these precautions, students still lack confidence in the department’s ability to handle a campus shooter.

“I think they would do everything they can to help, but I don’t think they’d be able to control the situation because it’s so unpredictable,” said Jon Ettinger, a junior psychology major. “I wouldn’t feel completely safe, but it’s better than nothing.”

Liora Sanchez, a junior English and textual studies major, said the amount of crime on campus makes her doubtful of the department’s efficiency.

“Robberies happen all the time around campus, and DPS hasn’t done much to stop that. I wouldn’t feel safe during a school shooting,” she said.

Callisto emphasized the importance of preparing for these kinds of incidents, and said students should know the guidelines and that DPS has procedures in place.

“Officers at DPS are prepared. They’re trained and they’re ready to react,” Callisto said. “The best thing students can do is be proactive.”

Published on January 29, 2013 at 11:39 pm

Contact Alfred: alng@syr.edu

@alfredwkng