Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Princeton Emergency Notification

Posted By on Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 8:19 AM

Interesting to see how quickly this Princeton alert spread through Twitter this morning. The first tweet of a text alert from Princeton about a gunman on campus occurred 11 minutes before the posting on Princeton's web site.

Update: THE ALL CLEAR HAS BEEN GIVEN WITH REGARD TO A GUNMAN ON PRINCETON'S CAMPUS.

Shortly before 11 a.m., a suspect with a handgun was reported near the Dod Hall dormitory in the middle of campus. Princeton University's Department of Public of Safety and Princeton Borough and Township police are investigating, according to the University webpage.

The University issued an alert through the Princeton Telephone and E-mail Notification System just after 10:50 a.m. Warning messages went out via e-mail, text message and phone calls.

There are reports that law enforcement officers back set up barricades near Witherspoon, Little and Dod Halls. Students and their families in Dod Hall were asked to leave the building, many students reported.

It is also unclear whether members of the Class of 2009 have already been taken off the notification system, as many of them have said they did not receive the alerts younger students did. Many seniors are still on campus moving out after yesterday's Commencement.

There are reports that members of the incoming Class of 2013 also received the message.


ORIGINAL POST:

This hasn't hit mainstream media yet this morning, but Twitter users are rapidly retweeting an emergency notification on Princeton University's home page about a suspect with a handgun near a dorm on campus shortly before 11 a.m. (Eastern time).

Here's the text of the advisory, posted at 8:07 a.m. Tucson time:

Shortly before 11 a.m., a suspect with a handgun was reported near the Dod Hall dormitory. Princeton University's Department of Public of Safety and Princeton Borough and Township police are investigating.

Stay indoors until further instructions.

Check the Princeton home page at www.princeton.edu for updates. Campus community members can check their e-mails, as well.

Let's hope this is only a minor alert...

Here is a link to the Daily Princetonian's coverage:
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com