Handgun discovered on campus sparks discussion on campus safety

On October 5, 2021, Geneseo University Police sent out an email to students indicating that a loaded handgun had been found in a fanny pack on a bench in the parking loop outside of Livingston Hall. 

In a later email on October 12, 2021, the University Police Department (UPD) explained that the investigation is ongoing. However, it is unlikely that there was or is a current threat to the campus or the greater community.

Chief of University Police Christopher Prusak said, “The weapon was located through the diligence and alertness of a staff member on campus.”

UPD is unable to reveal any information concerning this incident beyond what has been disclosed in the school’s emails. 

“The penal law specifically restricts firearms on campus,” said Prusak. “There’s a whole list of weapons that are not allowed on campus… [and] the college has further restricted [that list].” 
According to the Student Code of Conduct, weapons such as BB guns and airsoft guns are prohibited on campus, in addition to traditional firearms. In the October 5 email, UPD explained that “only members of law enforcement may possess firearms on College property.” 

“We don't find weapons a whole heck of a lot,” said Prusak. “How we would handle a found steak knife on the ground is far different than how we would handle a firearm.”

“With [the Oct. 5] instance, the firearm was located. We immediately started to try and determine whose it is. Now, you find a knife on campus, it's really just going to get put in found property or something of that sort, unless it's a knife that's illegal.”

According to Prusak, UPD is accredited by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

“It allows us to have our own police department and train our officers specifically for some of the issues that are unique to a university or college setting.”

UPD was most recently accredited in January of 2020. That accreditation will last for five years, according to the Geneseo UPD web page. 

UPD officers are trained in areas relevant to campus life such as mental health and drug and alcohol abuse/use. UPD officers regularly receive training to maintain accreditation and best serve the campus community.

By maintaining accreditation, Prusak explained that UPD can keep pace with New York State police while serving exclusively on the campus. 
“Our officers don't have to worry about making their quota out on NY-390 or anything like that. Our guys and girls are [on campus].” 

Students can always call 911 or UPD’s emergency number at (585) 245-5222 when they are in distress. According to Prusak, when a student calls 911 for an on-campus problem, the call must be routed back through UPD’s communication center. 

To avoid the loss of time associated with this, UPD recommends students save UPD’s emergency number into their phones for easy access in an emergency situation.

The best way for students to keep themselves safe is to be proactive about their own safety.

“[To] be aware of your surroundings is really the number one thing,” said Prusak. “Be aware of your surroundings, don't have your head down on a cell phone as you're walking around, stay towards lit areas.” 

Prusak also points out the role that alcohol plays when students are trying to be proactive about their own safety.

“Don't have quite so much fun at a party that you don't know what's going on around you.”

In the case of an active aggressor situation, students should remember the rule “run, hide, and fight.”

Prusak explained, “The first option is to run away [to] get as much distance from yourself as you can from the active aggressors. If you can’t get out because you’re stuck, you should barricade the door, start looking for things to put up against the door and lock the door.” 

In the event that a student cannot lock or barricade the door, or are in an open area, Prusak advised that they should “find something to fight with, whether it's a fire extinguisher, whether it's a chair, [or] something else. Be ready to fight for your life.”

Students should not hesitate to call UPD for help.

“If you're thinking you need to call for help, call for help. We here at the college have a lot of resources at our disposal. We have the Dean of Students, we have the Student Health Center, we have Chances to Changes and RESTORE, and we have a lot of things available to us that a lot of municipal departments don't.”

“We're not out here to ruin anybody's college career, that’s not our goal. We're here to protect the community,” said Prusak.

To contact UPD for non-emergency related business, call (585) 245-5651.

To contact UPD in the case of an emergency, call (585) 245-5222.