An campus safety video has been produced that will instruct students, faculty and staff on procedure during an emergency event such as earthquakes and sheltering in place.

Chief of Police Bernard Gerst said the video contains updated information on emergency preparedness.

After the University president’s council previewed the video, the video was released and is now available on the TUPD website.
“We have incorporated the concepts of Run, Hide, Fight, in the event of an imminent threat from an armed person or an active shooter in a building,” Gerst said.

Junior criminal justice major Amely Monterroza said she plans to watch the video.

“I didn’t know about the video,” she said. “I plan on watching it to get an idea of what it has to say. So many bad things are happening now, it’s better to be more aware.”

Gerst said he believes that the video will beneficial, and hopes that all faculty, students and staff take the time to watch it.
“It is our hope that faculty members will show it in class and have a short discussion about what could be done in their particular classroom, lecture hall, lab or other location,” Gerst said. “Thinking ahead about whether the door to the room can be locked or what could be used to barricade the door if it can’t be locked, are items of discussion that could save vital time in the event of a real emergency situation.”

Reference Librarian and Towson Seminar Professor Sarah Crest said all campus community members should watch the video.
“The most important safety concern of our students is that sometimes they aren’t careful about their personal items,” she said. “I don’t want people to be alarmed, but I do want them to be safe.”

The video was made through a combined effort between the Office of Public Safety, the Center for Instructional Advancement and Technology, and the President’s Office.

The Crisis Response Committee and a Combined Emergency Response and Emergency Preparedness Committee supported the production of the video, according to Gerst.

The Crisis Response Committee consists of the university president, vice presidents and other staff.
The Combined Emergency Response and Preparedness contains members of the Office of Public Safety, Student Government Association and the University Residence Government.

Gerst also said that the new emergency telephone number for the Towson University Police Department was changed to 410-704-4444 to be more memorable.