Elijah Karriem
Social Media Editor
The Jackson State University community faced a day of shelter in, lockdowns and all-clear alerts on Feb. 12, raising concerns once again about campus safety.
The first alert via the JSU Safe Alert System was issued at 10:20 a.m. The alert was triggered by a black male with an assault rifle spotted near the College of Liberal Arts, prompting the immediate initiation of the university’s shelter in place protocol.
At 10:36 a.m., an all-clear alert was issued, instructing normal operations to resume.
As photos circulated of the individual walking with the firearm on social media, students were confused if the all-clear was issued too soon.
At 12:20 p.m., another all clear was issued stating that normal operations had resumed and everyone was free to move about the campus and conduct normal operations.
At 12:46 p.m., another shelter in place alert was issued stating that the Department of Public Safety was conducting a campus sweep.
The all-clear, lockdown lifted alert was not issued until 4:56 p.m. During that time, all entrances on campus were closed.
Sergeant Albert Day, spokesperson for JSU Public Safety, clarified that the firearm incident did not occur on campus, but rather involved someone passing through.
He assured, “Nothing came out of that.” Despite the initial report, Sgt. Day emphasized the university’s commitment to safety protocols, highlighting their dedication to ensuring the safety of the campus.
Sgt. Day then explained Mississippi’s open carry law grants the right to carry firearms openly in public. This applies to individuals who own firearms, provided they are not concealed. It is essential to note that concealing or hiding a firearm violates the law.
“As long as it’s not concealed, they are not breaking the law, it’s just like the individual walking with the assault rifle, that’s why he was walking around with it like that because of the law but if he conceals it or hides it, then he is breaking the law,” stated Day.
When asked why the initial all-clear signal was given after 11 minutes, Day explained that a subsequent alert was issued when the individual was spotted in another area, prompting a renewed lockdown.
Some JSU students expressed unease and confusion after the initial all-clear announcement from Public Safety in response to an unidentified individual carrying a firearm near the COLA.
Charity Simone, a junior psychology major from Pocahontas, Miss., shared her experience, “I felt uneasy. We were in class and we had to let the professor know what was going on. We were all in shock and confused, especially because I was in the building that he was walking beside.”
Simone added: “Why weren’t the people on duty doing their jobs?”
Simone highlighted the unexpected nature of the incident, mentioning that students in the vicinity captured images of the individual.
She raised questions about campus security, stating, “There literally is a security podium on Dalton Street, so how was the man able to walk past them towards the Liberal Arts building? It just simply doesn’t make any sense.”
Simone pointed out concerns about the campus security’s level of alertness, emphasizing the numerous entrances and exits that may compromise safety. Simone stated that she believes that security personnel should be more vigilant, given the potential risks.
“There are way too many entrances and exits to the campus and we seem to have way too many chills, lax people on duty. I get that every day you won’t see danger, but at least attempt to do your job,” Simone stated.
Anealia Ryant, vice president of the senior class at Jackson State, released a statement via Instagram urging a thorough review of the institution’s protocols and procedures in response to the shelter-in-place incident.
It read in part:
“My peers and I were notified to shelter in place due to an unidentified person with an assault rifle near the College of Liberal Arts. At 10:26 a.m., we received this message. At 4:57 p.m., students under the shelter-in-place notice were notified that it had been lifted. Students still have not been notified of any further updates.”
Ryant’s concerns shed light on what some students feel is the need for improved communication and timely updates during emergency situations.
As the university evaluates its emergency response protocols, Ryant emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of students by addressing any shortcomings in the existing procedures.
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