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Gun assault brings 2-4 year prison term for Holyoke man - MassLive.com

Gun assault brings 2-4 year prison term for Holyoke man - MassLive.com

how can this be stopped? are you certain that what you are doing is worth your time and resources? how can we let this go on? there is sickness among us.

Man asks friend to shoot him to avoid work - Telegraph

Man asks friend to shoot him to avoid work - Telegraph

I am not sure how to classify this one. Is it a co-worker shooting (III) or just plain stupidity. That must have been a very good friend to have helped in this way. I am glad he only got reckless endangerment. I wonder if he will file for workers comp.

Campus Assaut Simulation Traumatizes Witnesses

UNC Officials 'Disappointed' in ECSU's Handling of Emergency Drill :: WRAL.com

Probably in response to the recent school shootings, UNC at Elizabeth State had a simulation drill of a gunman coming on to the campus, entering a classroom and threatened to kill some of the students.

It is unclear the level and detail of communication that went out those involved but clearly the professor and students were did not know the assault was just a drill.

While the authenticity of the student reaction would enhance the training experience of the responding officers, the risk of psychological damage and other adverse responses such as a heart attack or, in a worst case scenario, a student or by-stander may have actually shot the pretend assailant

There are clearly other ways to prepare for such a drill to reduce or eliminate the chance of emotional trauma. A clear description of what will occur before the event to those involved and a 5 minute, direct, verbal warning before entering the room and a chance for the witnesses to the meet the pretend assailant would reduce the potential impact.

After all, it was the responders who were being tested, not the students. Such surprise drills may have a role for the military and emergency responders but you can not expect (or have no way of expecting) the response of 18-21 yro students.


Professional, thoughtful responses welcomed.

Human Resource Executive Online - Story

Human Resource Executive Online - Story

Please read this article and respond:

1- where is the balance between workplace security and equal rights?

2- what crimes are unforgiveable, automatic disqualification for employment?

3- what should be done?

It is a ironic that the one thing that can help turn a life around is a meaningful, good paying job and they can't get one.

Look for upcoming attorney seminars on the subject.

Instant National Database Searches

A few days ago, a person posted a comment asking me about national, instant database that are developed by commercial operations. Please understand that I believe there is a purpose and use for such programs but I would not consider them to be very reliable. I have since found article that describes a study that the author did in assessing these databases.
BIS Research Exposes Holes in Instant Criminal Records Databases By Kevin Bachman


As I paraphrase from the article-
National Aggregated Databases are instant and inexpensive as they rely on various reporting agencies willingness to provide or sell data.  Such sources can include corrections facilities, some county courthouses and some state sponsored sites. 

Background Information Services, Inc. selected a database that had the most “shared” records. 

Of 651 known criminals randomly selected, only 200 could even be searched by this database; those records are just not available to be shared. For example, most records in Illinois, Ohio, New York, California, Missouri, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts and Michigan are not available.
Of the 200 known criminals, more than 35% missed significant issues completely: Assault. Sex Abuse of a Child. Forgery. Kidnapping. Aggravated Drug Trafficking. Breaking and Entering.
Of the records that actually were found, 50% of the known criminal hits contained incomplete or inconsistent information when compared to courthouse searches. 
Lapse in time issue-  many of the records in a “National Database” updated on a weekly, monthly, or even bi-annual basis.

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

Worker Call Deputies when Threaten and They Catch Him

A worker makes a threat and is sent home. He then calls back to say some threatening things to his co-workers. They leave, call law enforcement and meet them at a gas station. That is where he is caught as he is coming in. No one was hurt.




It is unknown if anything would have happened if he was not caught. Maybe he was just coming to get his things as he claimed but it was the people who took it seriously that called for support.

Feel free to comment if you think he was planning to commit violence or how you would have handled the situation.

King County, WA Metro to Deny Benefits specifically to DV Victims

In an clear act of discrmination, the Metro of King County, Washington has considered denying death benefits to only adminstration assistants if they die from domestic violence.
While there is a movement to provide specific support measures for victims such as non-discrimination in hiring decisions or special leave options, this is the first time I have read about a policy to specifically discriminate against domestic violence victims. Additionally, it is targeted only towards a specific position.

While it is unlikely that this provision will pass, it is outrageous considering the history of the city with the Police Chief murdering his wife just a few years ago.

Sex Offender sent as Service Man

In this case of a service man sent to reface the cabinets of young woman, the news investigation team interviewed the woman, the employer and the offender. Earlier this year, Kelli L. asked Home Depot to remodel her home. It was discovered later that he was a registered sex offender with a lengthy record of assault.
Watch the video and comment in our survey link below. We will publish your responses in our next newsletter.



Please let us know your opinion and a little about your own organizational preparedness at this short survey.

Need for an accessible, accurate, comprehensive Background Check System

There have been numerous articles and posts about how the VA Tech tragedy may have been prevented if the assailant had been prevented from purchasing firearms because of his mental health history. While there are various legislative bills and orders looking to remedy this loophole, the bigger issue of how criminal histories are compiled and accessed needs to be addressed.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System does not contain a complete list of the crimes, civil trespass orders, arrests and mental health issues that some may consider it to be. According to their site, "The NICS is a national system that checks available records in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Interstate Identification Index (III), and the NICS Index to determine if prospective purchasers are disqualified from receiving firearms."

The culprit appears to be the inconsistency of the different states in what they report and how. Some states do not provide complete information as even their database does not contain all the information available at their county level. Additionally, funding is needed to bring them into compliance with the federal regulation.

Unfortunately, it appears that it takes tragedies such as occurred in Blacksburg, VA to bring attention to the general population to motivate their representatives to make changes. We can only hope that the issue remains in the spotlight till the necessary laws and funding is put into place.

Criticism of Virginia Tech Security Response

In regard to the horrible events that occurred today at Virginia Tech, I wanted to share a few observations. While the investigation is still underway and the details of the tragedy are still largely unknown, some in the press have started the arm-chair quaterbacking routine.
There are so many experts being called and quoted that will point out everything that the security team did wrong. As the news at this moment describe two separate shooting incidents and much of the criticism has focused on the warnings provided to students after the first attack, the lack of a lock-down response and the ensuing investigation.
Every emergency situation can be handled better after given the time and respite for reflection. Emergency and crisis planning is crucial and as the details of the incident unfold, there will be mistakes identified. But if we are to assign blame, it falls squarely on the individual who allegedly chose to avoid responsibility by killing himself.
It is this knee-jerk response to find fault and for the appetite of the press to find people who want to distinguish themselves as "experts", that we criticize those who were trying their best, using the resource and knowledge they had at the time, to save lives. I pray that there are no lawsuits that spawn from this tragedy.

Stalking at Work- Who can respond?

In this month’s e-newsletter, we feature the issue of stalking in the workplace. As this crime focuses narrowly on one individual, the question emerges on who and how should the situation be handled. What can the targeted individual do and what are the responsibilities of the employer and more importantly, what should be done when there is a conflict of opinion.
Very often, especially in domestic violence cases, the victim does not want to take legal action against the perpetrator. There are a myriad of reasons for this stance and perhaps in another entry we can discuss those reasons but the point is that often the employer and employee may be in conflict on how to handle the situation.
In terms of legal issues, only the actual victim or target of the crime can take out the criminal charges such as Communicating Threats or Stalking (while states vary, all have similar statutes for these crimes). While a Law Enforcement officer can charge someone with these crimes, it often requires the support and approval of the victim. They are the one who suffers from the action. However, employers can take out charges such as Trespassing (as it is their property) or even Telephone Harassment (as it their phone being called).
In terms of restraining orders, the commonly known domestic violence restraining order can only be taken out by the person (employee) who has to want utilize this relief. An employer cannot obtain this type nor can they “persuade” an employee to obtain one. In Gavin de Becker’s acclaimed book, "The Gift of Fear", he describes the Laura Black case of the mid-1980’s where Richard Farley killed 7 workers at the ESL Corporation. He alleges that Black did not want to get the restraining order against Farley and it was just before the court date of that order when the tragic assault occurred.
However, there has been the growth of workplace restraining orders (pdf) where employers can obtain one against a stalker but just as it pertains to the workplace. In many of these laws, there are requirements to inform the targeted employee but they do not need their permission.
Naturally, it is the best option is when the employer and employee communicate and come up with a plan together to ensure the safety of everyone. However, when there is a disagreement, every party has to take the action that they believe is best. For employers, it is prudent to take the victim’s concerns into their assessment. They are often “the experts” in surviving this perpetrator. And they should never make it a condition of employment that they victim take any legal course of action. This heavy-handed approach is sure to discourage disclosure and communication. This not to say that employer is without options or the right to secure the workplace. A thorough investigation should be made and appropriate measure taken to meet any potential threat.
Your views and experience in this issue are welcome.

8/24/06 Essex, VT Man Shoots 2 Co-Workers of Ex-Girlfriend at School

Christopher A. Williams, a 26-year-old bakery worker, allegedly set out to kill his ex-girlfriend but shot two of her co-workers instead. The shootings began around 2 p.m., when Williams showed up at the home he shared with ex-girlfriend Andrea Lambesis and her mother, Linda Lambesis, 57. Williams shot the elder woman to death, then went to Essex Elementary School where the daughter was working. There were no students but there were about 39 staffers were preparing for the new school year. Williams did not find his ex-girlfriend but he did shoot two of her co-workers instead, fatally shooting teacher and wounding employee. He fled that scene and shot a acquaintance but as police closed in, he shot himself twice in the head. He survived and has been charged with the crimes.

Texas DOT Worker Makes Terroristic Threats

Terrance Anthony Murray, 38, a former TX Dept. of Transportation employee. allegedly had a detailed a plan to shoot a number of people at his office. According to an arrest warrant, Murray told a human resources employee that "he was collecting an arsenal at home and was having recurring thoughts about getting even with employees who had hurt him." He also stated that he is paranoid and thinks that everyone is out to get him.

8/25/07 Lafeyette, LA Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend at Victoria's Secret

Nathan O'Neil Jr., 21 killed Sherika Broussard, 21, as she was at work inside the Victoria's Secret at the Mall of Acadiana. She was in store's stockroom at 5:30 p.m. when O’Neil entered with a handgun and shot her to death. He was found shortly afterward in a vehicle parked near the entrance to the mall. When officers ordered the man to stop, he pulled out a weapon. Officers opened fire and O'Neil died at the scene. The relationship between O'Neil and Broussard recently had ended but he had frequented the store before the shooting.

8/29/07 Kranskop, South Africa Worker Killed after Being Accused of Stealing

After Wonder Ntiza Dube’s body was found on La Mercy Beach, showing severe injuries to his head and body, his employer, a 39-year-old man, and four others aged between 18 and 27, are expected to appear court in connection with the incident. police were investigating allegations that Dube had been assaulted after being accused of theft at 2 pm on 8/29/07 and that was the last time he was seen. Angry residents in the community reportedly went on the rampage the next day and businesses on the main road in the village were forced to close as a mob demanded to see Dube's employer.

DC Union of Youth Rehab Workers Call for Resignation of Agency Director

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Service (DYRS) employees in the largest labor union of District of Columbia has publicly called for the resignation of the Agency's director, Vincent Sheraldi. The Chairman of the District of Columbia Fraternal Order of Police DYRS Labor Committee disclosed a litany of problems which included safety and security issues, particularly at the Oak Hill facility in Laurel, Maryland and the Mt.
Olive facility in Washington, D.C. The agency is charged with the care and
rehabilitation of the Districts' youth offenders, who have been referred to
the agency through the Districts' court system.
Citing internal union projections, Adams stated, "that each year
approximately twenty-five percent of the members at Oak Hill and Mt. Olive
facilities are injured on the job as a result of assaults." Within the two last weeks DYRS workers were assaulted, with one employees requiring hospitalization. That employee, a female worker, was choked by a resident.
"We have no comprehensive safety program for DYRS employees, and it was
not until our union filed a lawsuit in 2003 that we were able to secure,
through court order, even the most basic protections against bloodborne
pathogens such as HIV and HBV," said Adams.