JWCC Board hears report on college's emergency response plan

2 months ago

John Wood Community College Trustees heard a report on the College’s prevention and response plans for emergencies and campus shootings.

At Wednesday night's meeting, Bill LaTour, JWCC chief of campus police, outlined the College’s threat assessment and emergency plans. LaTour supervises four officers who are former members of law enforcement agencies.

All officers are armed, regularly patrol campus buildings and have portable and in-car radio communication with the Adams County 911 Center.  Officers train faculty, staff and students on response and prevention methods by using drills and presentations. All JWCC centers have specific emergency plans, evacuation procedures and shelter areas. The Quincy Police Department also conducts active shooter training on JWCC’s campus.

Following the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, the Campus Security and Enhancement Act was passed to help colleges and universities prevent future incidents by creating threat assessment procedures and behavioral intervention teams. JWCC’s behavioral intervention team is comprised of faculty and staff members who share information about troubling behavior among members of the college community and recommend remediation plans as needed.  Such plans may  include counseling  referrals or removal from the college.

JWCC’s Quincy campus is equipped with audio evacuation systems, security cameras, access control doors, and classroom doors have indoor push locks for security purposes. Emergency messages are sent to staff and students via social media, text and email.

Although JWCC has implemented multiple safety and security measures, LaTour emphasizes the need for continued vigilance.

“It’s extremely important that we guard against complacency,” LaTour said.  “We have an open campus environment that presents challenges as well as multiple facilities to monitor.  We can never stop searching for ways to improve safety and assess potential threats.”

In other business, JWCC Trustees:

Approved submission of a $75,000 grant to the Illinois Secretary of State for the Adult Literacy Program. This reoccurring grant would fund one-on-one tutoring.  Recent grant funding has matched 174 adult learners with tutors.

Accepted a $24,924 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for the Illinois Cooperative Work Study Program.  This reoccurring grant supports work study and internship activities at local businesses.  The grant pays half of student wages during their employment as interns.  JWCC placed 25 interns with 17 employers using grant funding this year.

Granted approval to submit a Capital Project Application for a Protection, Health and Safety project to the Illinois Community College Board. Approval of the application would allow JWCC to use $13,067 in restricted funds to upgrade the College’s existing video recording system and install four security cameras at the new Mt. Sterling Education Center location.

Approved summer hours for the College.  From June 14 to August 2, the College will be open during regular hours Monday through Thursday.

 

JWCC Public Relations provided information for this report.