A new program is being launched by the University of Houston Police Department to educate the University community on how to respond if there is an active shooter on campus.
An active shooter or shooters, defined by the National Tactical Officers Association, are one or more subjects who participate in a random or systematic shooting spree, demonstrating their intent to continuously harm others. Their objective is mass murder.
As part of this program, the UHPD Crime Prevention Unit will be available for presentations about topics related to active shooters and preventing violence in the workplace.
UHPD is not concerned with preventing only active shooters, but also everyday crimes that have been occurring on campus.
Hit and runs, theft and drunken driving have made up the majority of crimes this semester. UHPD said that it is doing a good job at reporting these crimes.
“An increasing number of reports for crimes such as Driving While Intoxicated indicate an increase in proactive enforcement efforts on the part of our officers,” said Lt. Dina Padovan.
“UHPD takes impaired driving very seriously and makes every effort to remove the threat before the safety of our community is impacted,” Padovan said.
Although there is still a significant amount of theft, reported robberies have decreased since last semester, and some students say they recognize the change.
In spite of this decrease, several thefts are reported each week.
Areas like the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library and the Campus Recreational and Wellness Center are hot places for thefts of unsecured items.
Communications sophomore Wendy Perez said to use common sense to avoid theft.
“Either take your things with you or ask someone you trust to take your things for you,” Perez said.
As for the hit-and-runs, UHPD said cameras and witnesses contribute to their high clearance rate, but it still warns students about the consequences of such an incident.
“Students should realize that they have certain responsibilities if they accidentally strike someone’s vehicle in a lot,” Padovan said.
“Leaving the scene only makes matters worse.”
