LI firms learn about workplace violence

Bosses may want to minimize employees' fears by downplaying the possibility of violence in their workplaces. But workers "do not want to be sitting ducks," said Steven Crimando, managing director of Manhattan-based Extreme Behavioral Risk Management, which assists employers with workplace violence prevention and response.

He was addressing about 75 security professionals from Long Island companies, schools, hospitals and malls at a Thursday morning workplace violence preparedness seminar at CA Technologies in Islandia. The event was spearheaded by AlliedBarton Security Services, in conjunction with Suffolk County Police, among others.

Crimando advised attendees to enlist employees as the "first-line defense in detecting and deterring" violent scenarios, which could involve criminals, disgruntled co-workers or customers, angered spouses, or people driven by hate/terrorist agendas. That vigilance means training, sharing information and having an up-to date emergency plan, he and others said.

According to a March publication from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, nonfatal workplace crimes in 2009 were down 35 percent from 2002, and workplace homicides in 2009 were down 51 percent from 1993. Certainly advances in awareness and training are key factors in the declines, said Crimando. He also pointed to more effective emergency medical care, such as first responders' "tactical first aid kits," as improving victims' chances of surviving.

Mark White, deputy chief of homeland security for Suffolk County Police, advised employers who've noted suspicious behavior to call the cops. Don't worry about being wrong or about imposing, he said. "Bother us."

After the program, Frank Catalano, director of the office of campus security at New York Institute of Technology in Central Islip, said he had just invited White's colleague and fellow speaker, Stuart Cameron of the special patrol bureau, to share some tips with his security staff. Catalano also said he was interested in becoming more familiar with how social media -- Twitter and Facebook -- could be useful in communicating with students.

Further thoughts explored at the session:

Some schools have had emergency notification plans in which they designate code words to alert the staff to danger. But rather than veiled code words, it's more useful to share as much detail as possible, said Cameron, such as: The person is wearing black pants, a red shirt and is carrying a handgun.

Don't have a complicated system for employees' calling 911 in an emergency. In some cases two or more levels of supervisors have had to sign off, said White. "Decentralize to the lowest level possible."

Small businesses without the wherewithal to hire security staff can still find resources at Osha.gov. Also, the Long Island chapter of ASIS International, an organization for security professionals, welcomes those for whom security is only a part of their job functions, says Catalano, the group's chairman.