Local Colleges Prepared for Security Threats, But Still Worr

DAYTON -- At Sinclair Community College on Thursday night, Oct. 1, 2015, the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, weighs on the mind of student David Young. "Sometimes, I think about should I sit closer to the door? Should I sit close to a window? Even show up to class? Very scary. Very alarming, said Young. Sinclair spokesman Adam Murka gave FOX 45 a few details about the security precautions at the community college. One key is the campus location. It's downtown, near both Dayton Police and Montgomery County Sheriff's headquarters. The college also has joint support agreements with Dayton and other police agencies. At least 14,000 students, faculty and staff have signed up for the colleges automatic alert system. Murka also said Sinclair has its own campus police force that undergoes training more extensive than state requirements. But, Young said after Thursday, hes still concerned. "I'm like, it's a community college. That's right where I am, said Young. That could happen to me, that could happen to the person next to me," he added. Thirty miles north in Piqua sits Edison Community College. Like Umpqua, its a small, rural college with about 3,000 students. John Shishoff, Edison Community College Vice President of Finance, said they began focusing on their active shooter preparations two years ago. Staff went through a refresher at the beginning of this school year. The college also has a close relationship with the Piqua Police Department, as well as campus security. Students say, that helps. "You see the security car go by quite often, said Rodney Kerns, a student at Edison. And, they do a lot of checks in the parking lot." Shishoff said the college also uses behavioral specialists so that if students, faculty or staff see someone having problems, they can intervene. In addition, Edison sends out text alerts via a free app that students can download. And, the college received state funding to install a door locking system for instances like what happened Thursday in Oregon. "We have a system where we can hit a button and it will lock classrooms, administrative areas, etc.," said Shishoff. School officials dont even tell staff members where all of the buttons are or how many there are. The hope is theyll never need to know.