CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
VOL. LXVIX, ISSUE 20 | OCTOBER 16, 2017
By Kat Schuster News Editor
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n the wake of the deadliest shooting in American history, concerns about gun control and mass shootings have resurfaced — especially on college campuses. “I think it’s safe for me to say that people are a little paranoid these days, and I don’t blame them,” said Lieutenant Rick Goodwin of the University Police Department. “You don’t know what’s going to happen because these events have been happening more than we would like.” In the event of an active shooter on campus, anything can happen and reactions of those being fired upon can greatly affect the safety and survival of others. “If something like that were to happen on campus I’m not sure what I’d do,” said junior social work major Sara Seth. “I assume if I were in class there would be some sort of code red or lockdown. If I was in the open I’m not sure, it doesn’t seem like we have anything prepared in that situation.” Lt. Goodwin and UPD Sergeant Keith Caires have offered their advice on what to do in the event of a school shooting.
Step 1: Stay alert
According to Goodwin, communication is key. Keeping a firm grasp of surroundings and making sure to call UPD if anything suspicious is observed is vital. “If you see something suspicious, a male subject walking across campus with two large black bags that could carry rifles for example, we would want you to call [UPD],” Goodwin said. The sounds of a fire cracker or a car backfire can also be misconstrued as a gunshot, but Goodwin said that it should still be reported. Multiple reports of an incident usually helps police find out if the situation is legitimate. Once the incident is confirmed, police representatives hit a red emergency button. This will instantly send notification emails to students, faculty and employees that there is immediate danger.
Step 2: Run
This step is purely situational and will depend largely on your surroundings and proximity to the shooter. “If you hear a shooter upstairs and you’re downstairs, then get out,” Goodwin said. “If you’re in the quad and you hear gunfire then get out.” Caires recommends using the “run, hide, fight” model in such situations. “If you’re in an area where people are being hit, I’d recommend moving,” Caires said. The first response, run — get away from the scene as fast as possible as long as the individual isn’t in the line of fire. “If you can see the gun, the gun can see you,” Caires said. “You’ve got to get around the corner or somewhere that obscures your view.”
Step 3: Hide
After reaching a safe distance, hide. Get under a desk, behind a piece of furniture or wall to try to take cover. For professors in a classroom who have been notified of a shooter outside, their first move should be to run to the door and lock it. Goodwin recommends for classrooms that have windows on the doors, to cover the windows. After the door is locked, barricade the door with furniture. If you are stuck in a classroom or in any enclosed space when a shooter opens fire, get down. According to Caires, it is very important to observe the ground and understand the way that bullets may react to it. If the ground is hard or asphalt, Caires said getting down may still leave you in the field of fire. Caires also referred to the Las Vegas shooting, in which the terrorist Stephen Paddock was firing from above. “If a shooter is firing from above, your best bet is to run and get out of sight,” Caires said. “By laying down you’re exposing vital areas.”
Step 4: “Stop the Bleed”
If an individual is able and feels safe enough in doing so, creating a tourniquet for those who have been wounded may save lives. “Essentially what you find is that the majority of victims in a mass casualty, die from blood loss,” Caires said. The campaign “Stop the Bleed” is a class that is taught nation-wide and sometimes offered by UPD, it is designed to teach bystanders how to control bleeding. Caires added that if any students groups such as Associated Students Inc. or any others wanted to run a “Stop the Bleed,” course, it can be facilitated through UPD. “I recommend that people stay within their capabilities,” Caires said. “Make sure you’re going to survive the day but for others who have the ability to render aid, it may save lives.”
Infographic by Jade Inglada | Daily 49er
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49er
How to survive a campus shooting
STUDENT RESOURCES
Food on the house for students in need CSULB hosts its second CalFresh Outreach Day in hopes of reaching foodinsecure students. By Lilly Nguyen Staff Writer
Put down those instant noodles — Cal State Long Beach’s Division of Student Affairs is presenting its second CalFresh Outreach Day at the southeast terrace of the University Student Union Tuesday afternoon. CalFresh is a subset of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federally-mandated but state-regulated program that works with counties to provide food benefits to aid low-income households. Benefits vary depending on household size, income and expenses such as housing, electricity and water. Beneficiaries receive monthly benefits that can be used to buy food at most markets, but excludes the purchase of alcohol, cigarettes and paper products. Eligible attendees of the event may receive a monthly stipend up to $196 to be put toward groceries. Students are also encouraged to attend the event to see if they might qualify for aid by filling out an application. Qualifying applicants can then expect to receive their Electronic Benefits Transfer two to three weeks after submission, which can be used around campus as well as other off-campus locations such as Trader Joe’s, Costco and some local farmers’ markets. Part-time workers, participants in the Educational Opportunity Program or Disabled Student Services, work-study students and Cal Grant recipients may also be eligible for aid. Applicants do not have to be on welfare to receive benefits from CalFresh. This is the second of the CalFresh Outreach Days hosted on campus this year, which is slated to be held once see FOOD, page 2