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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2008 > February > 29 > Entry
Text messages you should make your kids get
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When something like the Virginia Tech shooting occurs, the aftermath involves a detailed investigation of all the elements leading up to the incident. Hopefully, changes will take place to shore up what went wrong.
For instance, after the Colombine shootings, many police tactical strategies changed in “active-shooter” scenarios. If you remember, the tactical team waited outside the building before going in. Most teams now train for immediate entry to find the shooter or shooters as soon as possible. Going back to Virginia Tech, one of the major problems involved the notification process, to the students, to lock down or evacuate. They believed the first incident was final but soon learned the shooter was on the move again and as a result, more students were killed.
Since that time, many universities have offered a text-notification system, available to all students, to allow them access to information, warning them of a critical event. You would think, given that most teens live on text-messaging and cell phone communication, would find this a natural fit but it seems the sign ups for these services are surprisingly slow. I believe that people, maybe younger people specifically, simply don’t realize this stuff could happen. It can. It does.
How hard would it be to sign up for a text warning? I don’t even know how it works but if you have kids living in dorms in whatever college they’re in, I would insure that if this service is offered, you sign them up. Don’t ask them to sign up. Require it. It’s not hard. Here’s what you say:
“I want you to be signed up for the campus early warning system by tomorrow when you come back home with that U-Haul full of your laundry.”
“Nothing’s going to happen.”
“Do it or Monday I cut off the phone!”
“You got it!”
If this service isn’t offered because maybe the school doesn’t want to project the image that something could happen, then make some noise and get things changed.
More than ever before, people seem to be right on the edge. Road rage, domestic violence, hell, even fights on aisle 3 over the store being out of number 4 cone coffee filters have occurred.
There are tons of folks here who have kids in college. I can tell by your tattered clothing and dazed looks. Give yourself some peace of mind. Look into this and if it’s offered, make sure those kids get signed up. Don’t put it off and don’t leave it up to them—at least not without a deadline. Be firm, remember, you have the advantage. Those are your washing machines and dryers. They need you.
Comments
By Insomniac
March 1, 2008 4:23 AM | Link to this
Interestingly enough, the March issue of Reader’s Digest has a special report on campus safety. I remember when it used to be that tuition and fields of study were the major concerns when choosing a college, sometimes distance. Recently, we’ve entered the phase of researching colleges, etc., ($$$!) and found it interesting in the information books that summarize colleges and universities, that campus security is included, along with financial aid, the make-up of students, student-instructor ratio, etc. BTW, my nephew went to a small liberal arts college in NC and laundry service was “provided”.
By donna
March 1, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Our alma mater is Northern Illinois University. This text msg system worked to alert the students to the shooting on Feb. 14 that took 5 innocent lives! The university stepped up the system and other procedures following the VT shooting. These systems are being applauded for preventing further injury or death on that tragic day! What a great thing technology is!!
By Blogfather
March 1, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
People do get furious in traffic. Ever get trapped behind a school bus when you’re in a hurry? Those students who might be text-saved from a shooting rampage by one of their own kind would be sacrificed as they exited a school bus by impatient soccor moms so close, yet so far from the mall, and victoria’s secret, where they buy the skimpy frills with which they tittilate and tease middle-aged umpires at their sons little league games.
America’s decline started the moment women started mixing soccor with baseball. There’s been nothin but trouble ever since.
By Goddess
March 1, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Cut off the phone? Heck, just refuse to do the laundry;)
By kia
March 1, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
What the hell is Blogfather talking about? Goddess—I work with students. Lt Steve got it right. Kids will wear dirty but they can’t possibly survive without their cell phone!
By Fred
March 1, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
How about teaching kids to bum rush one of these dicks and taking him down instead of cowering like sheep to be slaughtered? My what a concept, protect yourself or cower and die……….
By ElBubba
March 1, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
I’m with Fred. If I see a college kid with a gun I’m taking him out!
By Chris
March 1, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Finally, some straight advice from the Lt. without the sarcastic arogance we usually get from him. Keep it up Lt. Rose, you’re improving.
By Myra
March 1, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Better watch out Chris. “Get-a-life-Cindy” is going to chastise you for bad mouthing her hero like she does everyone else. You’re messing with her main man, even if you are speaking the truth.
By Fred
March 1, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Hey, good job Myra, you got to get personal attacks in on TWO people at the same time. You should by a Democratic hero.
By Myra
March 2, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
Thanks Fred!
By p
March 2, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Thank you, Steve. This will be done TODAY.
By Goddess
March 2, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
I hear ya, Kia, I have one of those college students who drags home three hampers of stinky clothes, and true they wear dirty, but they can only wear them so long before they start losing their less smelly friends…LOL!
By Blogfather
March 2, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Goddess, the only thing less smelly than your comment is a fresh steaming pile of baby poop.
By Jimbo
March 3, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
While I think that signing up for the early warning system is a great idea, I don’t think it would’ve saved more lives at NIU. The campus police responded in 29 seconds, less than a minute, and the shooter had already done his damage and removed himself from the equation. So while it might steer students clear of the campus after the fact, it’s a poor preventative measure. Of course it’s useful for other types of school closings. I don’t know if my school has it, that may be part of the problem. The schools may not be actively promoting it. I have to be honest, even if it was just a taser, I’d rather be able to carry at school.
By Jimbo
March 3, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
While I think that signing up for the early warning system is a great idea, I don’t think it would’ve saved more lives at NIU. The campus police responded in 29 seconds, less than a minute, and the shooter had already done his damage and removed himself from the equation. So while it might steer students clear of the campus after the fact, it’s a poor preventative measure. Of course it’s useful for other types of school closings. I don’t know if my school has it, that may be part of the problem. The schools may not be actively promoting it. I have to be honest, even if it was just a taser, I’d rather be able to carry at school.
By Jimbo
March 3, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
While I think that signing up for the early warning system is a great idea, I don’t think it would’ve saved more lives at NIU. The campus police responded in 29 seconds, less than a minute, and the shooter had already done his damage and removed himself from the equation. So while it might steer students clear of the campus after the fact, it’s a poor preventative measure. Of course it’s useful for other types of school closings. I don’t know if my school has it, that may be part of the problem. The schools may not be actively promoting it. I have to be honest, even if it was just a taser, I’d rather be able to carry at school.
By Blogfather
March 3, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Conservatism is dead. Sen. Craig sounded taps, with his flag at half mast.
By Chrissa
March 3, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
To Blogfather and all you other jerks out there. I’m so sick of the term “soccer mom.” We need a new terms for those whinches. My daughter plays soccer, but my husbands ex-wife, a softball mom, is the complete psycho suv driving package. She stays at home, has a housekeeper, drives like her life (read manicure appt) is on the line. I get so p** off everytime I hear the term soccer mom. Please please please America, lets come up with a new term for those hated bleached out, pampered, fake nails, fake boobs, women.
By Chrissa
March 3, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
I meant write in there, just because my daughter plays soccer, doesn’t make me a so called “soccer mom.” I’d hate to be grouped in with those other women. I’m saving my money right now to buy a sub-compact, non-gas-guzzeling car. The further away from it being an SUV the better. Any thing to not be classified with ‘them.’
By ElBubba
March 3, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Soccer moms with fake boobs are always good for a quickie.
By Blogfather
March 3, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Chrissa, does your husband’s ex-wife have any older sisters for me?
By Cindy
March 4, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Myra, I do tend to take up for people when they’re under unwarranted attack, but I didn’t consider Chris’s post to be negative or insulting.
But yes I do look up to Steve and will defend him when somebody talks trash about him. It’s just my nature. Truth be told, I’d do the same for you if I saw someone publicly attacking you without just cause.
By lakerat
March 4, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Chrissa is mad the ex is getting what Chrissa wants! So, Chrissa, why DID you marry her cast off of a hubby? Can he not give you all of things his ex now has? Sounds like YOU may be the psycho even though you want to drive a sub-compact!
By ElBubba
March 4, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
I like boobs, even if they’re fake, but only on women.
By Myra
March 4, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
You are predicable,Cindy. Funny thing, you had a problem with what Chris said two weeks ago when he said the same thing about the Lt. You always have a comment about someone else’s post instead of just stating your opinion of the good Lt.’s blog. Please, I’ve read your posts, don’t deny this.
Oh, it’s “Steve” now, y’all must be close. I don’t think he needs defending, he’s a grown man who can defend himself. You call it talking trash when someone is just stating their opinion on his current blog which is what the comment section is for. Like a I said GET A LIFE CINDY!!!
By Fred
March 4, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
LOL Myra is stalking Cindy. NOW we have some drama.
Hey Guys!!!!!!!! CAT FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Chris
March 4, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
please Myra and Cindy, leave me out of your petty little spat. I can stand up for myself just like Rose can stand up for himself. you are both acting rather ridiculous. CAN”T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
By Eric
March 4, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
sounds like cidy does need to get a life.
By Fred
March 5, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
And you Eric need to learn to spell lol. (I know picking on someone’s typos is pretty weak, but I wanted to say something……..)
By ElBubba
March 5, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this
Chewbaca gets tasered
http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=8186ce1c-e32e-4765-baee-c6424fbf7af3&playlist=videoByTag:tag:most%20watched%20viral:ns:MSNVideoTopCat:mk:us:vs:0&from=MSNHP&tab=m1192124571607>1=43001
By Cindy
March 5, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Fred if you wanted to say something, you could’ve actually came to my defense or something…ya know??? No biggie…I see how it is. grrr.
Chris, get over yourself…it wasn’t about you.
Eric…I won’t EVEN bother…
Myra…wow, just wow. Ya know how they say jealousy is the highest form of flattery? Sweetie, it’s just not working for you…try another approach…tell ya a secret? People (the ones who are actually worth knowing) don’t really gravitate toward negativity.
You didn’t even have a point to make. You just insulted me to impress who? Please. Worry about yourself and doing the right thing and you’ll find that it’s a full-time job all on its own.
If you have something productive to say…that’d be great…otherwise, don’t concern yourself with me.
By Eric
March 5, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
now she’s going after fred who seems to be a fun, easy going guy, at worst a goof off who doesn’t take things so seriously. sounds like cindy has a problem with everybody who happens to disagree with her. wow so much venom so much hatred. come on lighten up already!
By Cindy
March 5, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Eric…really…you should let Fred handle Fred. He, unlike you, possesses the ability to banter. If you’ll read over what you’ve said thus far…you really contradict yourself…duh.
By Myra
March 5, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
“Get-a-life Cindy” I feel sorry for you, always complaining about what others have said. You have a problem with Chris, with Eric, with Fred, with me. You appear to be a pathetic lonely woman who just doesn’t get along well with others. You need help and I wish you the best, but I’ll spend no more time on the likes of you. Peace be with you.
By Cindy
March 5, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Myra, slither on back to your dark corner and continue reading your little Dr. Phil book. Take a deep breath and put down the Prozac bottle…last but not least…S.I.U.Y.A.
By Chris
March 5, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Good idea Myra, lets just ignore get-a -life -Cindy. Let her sit in the gutter by herself.
By Eric
March 5, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
cindy really is unbalanced isn’t she. sounds like you really upset her Mira. ignoring her might be the best option ‘cause this lady is coming unglued. get help cindy, goodbye!
By Lex Luthor
March 12, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Campus early warning systems only go off after a threat is detected. You can’t call them an “early warning system” as the time they go off its ususally too late.
The problem lies in the fact that the autorites take away our right to defend ourselves on campus. In doing so they do not take the responsibility upon themselves to provide what they take away.
Its just way too easy for a cimiinal to walk on campus because there is no security. The buldings don’t have access control. Most campus police are too busy looking for a reason to hand out parking tickets.
Why wasn’t there any security in the building at VT? How did he just waltz into a building and just start shooting people? It had nothing to do with a lack of text messages. It had to do with the campus police not doing their job!
Then again, like in Athens, city planners get the bright idea of building housing projects on the side of campus. That is they build a haven for criminals right next to the area they prohibit good people from being able to protect themselves.