Panic. It’s a natural instinct. When a traumatic event causes overwhelming fear, panic can spread through a group instantly. And in an age of hyperconnectivity, when a text or tweet takes mere seconds to send, and information, regardless of accuracy, can be disseminated instantly, the power of panic is even greater.
So when a shooting happened in one of the city’s most heavily-trafficked areas Friday afternoon, it was no surprise that through word of mouth, Facebook and text messages, much of the student body knew within hours, if not minutes. But what students didn’t know is more important. Who was shot? Was it a student? Was he dead? Who shot him? I heard it was a cop. Did the officer get shot or was he the shooter? Is a murderer on the loose? Am I safe?
Although students heard about a bloodied car and dozens of police officers converging on the College Park Shopping Center from friends, they heard nothing from university authorities. Although media reports emerged from the scene relatively quickly, not every student was next to a TV or otherwise in a position to receive them. The only thing students got was a text message — the UMD Alerts service you need to sign up for — alerting them to a “major traffic incident” on Route 1 and warning them to stay away. Beyond that, they relied on each other, and speculation filled the information gap. No alert was issued two days later, when police shot a man with a two knifes outside of a 7-Eleven on Route 1, not far from some off-campus housing.
A similar situation occurred this summer. A suspicious package was seen outside McKeldin Library. The building was evacuated and the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department’s bomb squad was called in. Broadcast news stations broke away to helicopter shots of the university’s iconic building. Police, however, sent nothing to students. The “bomb” turned out to pose no threat, but there was still confusion and worry in the air.
Students appear to have put this weekend’s incidents behind them. But in the moment, there was a great deal of uncertainty and, among some people, hysteria. University Police made no attempt to suppress rumors or provide clarity to the campus community.
The text alert system is often used to alert students about traffic jams and severe storms, and e-mails let the community know about College Park’s robberies, crime trends, assaults and burglaries. Both are important systems but could be better utilized. Students should be told about very serious crimes on and near the campus, regardless of whether or not they have been contained by police.
University Police spokesman Paul Dillon said no alert was sent out because students were never in danger. He warned of a slippery slope, where students continually demand to be informed of lesser and lesser incidents until the text and e-mail alerts the university police send out are regarded as little more than spam. But this was no minor incident — this is the first city shooting in most students’ college careers.
We understand Dillon’s fear that the alerts’ effectiveness could dwindle if they are sent out for more incidents. But Dillon has also stated that there are no black-and-white rules for issuing alerts. Instead of simply informing students that a “traffic incident” was occurring on Route 1 on Friday, students should have been e-mailed to quell fears and let everyone know the situation was under control.
We are not asking for students to be sent a play-by-play of every single theft, building evacuation and car accident in College Park, but we are asking for officials to provide an authoritative voice in times of trouble. After last weekend’s shootings, now is the time for university officials to step up and realize the benefits of an informed public. A basic set of information, sent over e-mail to all university e-mail addresses, could quell gossip, provide accurate information and inform students that the situation was contained.
Right now, police use the alert system to protect students’ physical health. If an assault happens, students are told because it could happen again. If someone breaks into a house, the university community is reminded to lock their doors at night. But students’ mental well-being is critical as well. In the absence of official word, uncertainty and panic will rule the day.
