College Students Wonder How Local Campuses Would Handle Shooting Scenarios
(CBS) -- No shooting similar to the mass shootings in Oregon community has ever occurred at a Chicago area community college, but the possibility has students and administrators concerned.
News of the Oregon shootings spread quickly at Triton College, in River Grove. While second semester student Darien Laraquente said no one has ever told her of an emergency plan or what to do should an emergency occur. She says there are things she would like to know.
"Where your closest exits are, what we should do in case there is a situation, what we shouldn't do, if there's a person who will be available to take care of the situation – certain things like that would be helpful to know," Laraquente said.
Third-year student Armani Thompson also says he has never seen an emergency plan for students and suggested use of metal detectors in all buildings, not unlike many Chicago high schools.
Campus police were visible on campus Thursday, both in squad cars outside of academic buildings and on foot. Triton administrators say it would be inappropriate to be interviewed and do not want details of the school's plan publicized.
But administrators told WBBM that students would be notified immediately in a variety of ways, and that an emergency notification network is in place.
Triton is making counselors available to students who wish to speak with someone about the Oregon shootings.