Hostages at Work

Last Friday, Leeland Eisenberg walked into Hillary Clinton's campaign office in NH with road flares strapped to his chest, demanding to speak to the candidate about the state of mental health services. About 5 hours later, he was arrested after releasing a handful of hostages.

If only all hostage situations could end this way. There are many cases where a person with a gun or bomb takes people hostage in the workplace. Some cases end violently, sometimes with only the perpetrator ending his or her own life.

There were two hostage situations that occurred at the same Caterpillar plant in Clayton, NC. Once in November 2004 and then again in January 2006. In both cases, it was a situation that stemmed from a domestic dispute involving violence against women.

On exactly how to survive these incidents can never be completely fool-proof but there are several key points that are emphasized often:
1. Stay as calm as you can. Panic will only lead to bad decisions and raising the anxiety of the hostage taker.
2. Do not try to disarm the hostage taker. Instigating an assault will raise the chances of you or another hostage getting hurt. If the event of shooting or immediate threat, respond quickly and decisively.
3. It is often easier to escape than to try to disarm the perpetrator(s).
4. Follow the instructions of the captors within reason. Do not be confrontational with them.
5. In the event of an Emergency Response Team (SWAT) intervention, stay low, do not rush towards them and follow their instructions.

More advice can be found at
Canadian Department of Corrections Report

Surviving Kidnapping While Traveling

State of Wyoming Powerpoint Presentation