Campus Connection

When a person was spotted carrying a weapon on campus in April 2013, students and staff who had signed up to the university’s timely warning program received information about the incident as it unfolded. That’s just one of the reasons students and staff should sign up for CodeRed, the city-wide program that informs community members about a threatening situation. “CodeRed is important because it is a means of mass communication in any kind of serious, catastrophic event,” says UW-L Dispatcher Kim Dearman. “It’s critical to become informed about, for example, a shooter on campus, a tornado, inclement weather, evacuation or any kind of event where a large number of people in the campus community need to be contacted immediately.” It’s free and easy to sign up. Simply  visit Emergency-response-plan and find the link for “CodeRed.” Those who signed up for City Watch, the university’s previous timely warning system, do not have to re-sign up with CodeRed. But, Dearman says, they may want to re-sign up because CodeRed has more options of receiving emergency information: email, text message and voice message. Campus crime timely warnings typically include:

• a brief statement of the incident
• any connection to previous incidents
• physical description and/or composite drawing of the suspect, if appropriate
• other relevant information
• appropriate safety tips

The CodeRed signup works as long as the phone number submitted remains in service – despite any carrier changes. University Police Officer David Pehl advises students and staff to plan ahead for emergency situations and periodically practice emergency preparation plans. Things to prepare for include power outages, building fires, active shooters, violent events, and more. “Preparation, planning and practicing are keys for plans to work effectively,” notes Pehl. Complete information about the university’s emergency response plan can be found at www.uwlax.edu/Police/Emergency-response-plan/.