By Chris Cunningham
The Scene staff
Forest Park isn’t changing its strategy to deal with potential gun violence in light of recent school shootings in Connecticut and St. Louis.
That’s because officials feel they already have strong procedures in place to protect students.
“It shocks the system when you see something like (a school shooting),” said Police Chief Richard Banahan. “But it doesn’t change the plan. It’s a great plan.”
The campus held an armed-intruder drill in April. Students and staff locked classroom doors and stayed out of sight.
President Cindy Hess and other leaders also go through surprise exercises that test their ability to make decisions in a crisis.
“Long before SROs (School Resource Officers or armed officers) were in schools, St. Louis Community College had armed police officers,” Banahan said.
Another priority is communication with students, faculty and staff during emergencies.
The college has a districtwide alert system involving phone calls, text messages and Facebook and Twitter posts.
“We have an outstanding partnership with the police and fire department, along with the EMS (emergency medical services),” said Claudia Perry, Forest Park community relations manager.
Recent school shootings have included one in December at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. An intruder killed 20 children and six adults before committing suicide.
In January, a student at Stevens Institute of Business and Art in St. Louis shot a financial aid officer before turning the gun on himself, but both survived.
Such violence makes many students and staff at Forest Park nervous, despite emergency preparations.
“It puts me in fear that (a shooting) could happen at any time,” said Angel Westbrook, 20, a general education student.
Nursing major Laveda Cage, 23, has started carrying Mace, and she tries to get home before dark.
Human services major James Wilson, 47, hasn’t felt the need to take extra precautions, except he tries to avoid large crowds.
Wilson sees school violence as a reflection of society’s values.
“It shows a sign of the times,” he said. “Morals of the past are no longer instilled in the youth.”
Banahan feels campus police must “prepare for the worst,” but they shouldn’t overreact to school violence in other parts of the country.
He admits to being personally moved by news of school shootings.
“You never get used to seeing stuff like that, to be honest with you,” Banahan said. “It never wears off.”
The next armed intruder drill at Forest Park is planned for March 13.
To sign up for the text alert system, text stlcc to number 40404. The campus also updates students, faculty and staff through mystlcc.edu email accounts, postings on the college’s website and Facebook pages and emergency notices on campus computer monitors.
Banahan advises students and staff to stay aware of their surroundings at all times.
“When you see something that doesn’t seem right, it isn’t right,” he said. “Trust your instincts. Most of the time, they are right.”