TRC targets a safe campus

POPLAR BLUFF - Security cameras, an instantaneous mass notification system and armed personnel are among the steps

taken by Three Rivers College to protect its students and staff members.

"Following a comprehensive study to identify defi ciencies, the college dedicated $25,000 per year

for three years to install security cameras at the Poplar Bluff campus and other TRC sites," said Chuck

Stratton, director of TRC's Department of Public Safety."We monitor these in real time

Stratton also noted the videos are used to identify and review incidents and the images are retained for evidentiary purposes.

"They can be used in actual situations to tell emergency responders where they need to be to attack the

problem," Stratton said.

He reported the college spent $90,000 for the instantaneous mass notification system.

"If the 911 center (located at TRC) gets a call of a shooter on campus, they activate an alarm which can

be heard inside and outside the buildings. Everyone will be told what to do," Stratton said. "It also serves as a weather warning system which also can be heard by residents of Bluff Estates Subdivision."

An armed Poplar Bluff police officer patrols the campus daily. He can quickly contact the 911 center

and have more officers dispatched immediately.

"Missouri law prohibits armed subjects on the campus other than law enforcement personnel, but other

individuals at the college are qualified to be armed," said Stratton, who is armed. "The only answer to a bad man with a gun is a good man with a gun."

Stratton emphasized the college is doing what it can to prevent a shooting incident like the recent one at a

community college in Roseburg, Ore.

"Any time someone is killed or injured, it affects emergency responders in a big way. I can't imagine

what these people in Oregon are going through," said Stratton, who attended a TRC Cabinet meeting Tuesday on safety issues.

"Dr. Wesley Payne (TRC's president) is extremely involved with safety issues on campus. He implements

policies for a safer campus," Stratton said.

Payne expressed appreciation to Stratton and the police officers for keeping the campus safe and free of

any shooting incidents.

"We have a camera system, we host a joint 911 center, we are in partnership with the Poplar Bluff Police

Department for on campus policing and we have developed and implemented a training program for staff

and students," Payne said.

"Our emphasis is on preparation and how to enact the plan. We have done training and participated in mass casualty day."

In light of what happened in Oregon, Payne said college personnel are again looking at the best way to

structure preparation.

The Three Rivers College Board of Trustees also has been very concerned about campus safety.

"We have taken security very seriously for a long time," said Ben Ressel, chairman of the Three

Rivers College Board of Trustees. "In light of recent events, we need to take it very seriously."

He described the security program at the college as being "top notch."

"With the increase in technology, we have a very good security system," said Ressel, who has been a

board member for three and one-half years.

He also commended everyone from the administration to the security team for taking care of campus safety.