Campus Alert:
2:54 PM
May 1st, 2024

PSU ALERT: Millar Library is closed. NO ONE is authorized to be in the library. Anyone remaining is committing criminal trespass. See your pdx.edu email for more information.

Campus Public Safety

What to do if you see or experience

Threatening or suspicious activity

Prevention

  • Control or limit access to work areas, limit areas to authorized persons and during non-business hours
  • Lock desk, cabinets, storage and office doors
  • Ensure front office or reception areas are always staffed
  • Ask all staff to wear their PSU ID badge in a visible location
  • DO NOT leave belongings unattended
  • Offer assistance to strangers or unfamiliar persons
  • Acknowledge co-workers

Response

Threatening Behavior

If you find yourself engaging with someone exhibiting threatening behaviors, communication is critical. When possible, use these de-escalation tips to help navigate the situation.

  • Remain as calm as possible, avoid overreacting
  • Be non-judgemental in your verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Ignore challenging questions and behaviors
  • Respect personal space by keeping distance between you
  • Allow silence for reflection on the situation, both for yourself and the person exhibiting threatening behavior
  • Attempt to exit the encounter by
  • Offering to go get a co-worker to join the conversation (which will make sure you are not alone) or suggest the person seeks a different campus resource that might have more resources
  • Asking to schedule a formal time to meet, or to reschedule until all have calmed down

Phone or Digital Threats

Often, these types of threats may seem like a joke or spam, but you should still treat these as a genuine threat, and report them, even if you are not sure what the person’s intent is.

If you find an emailed, social media, or other digital threat:

  • Keep it accessible or take a photo
  • Notify CPSO at 5-5911

If someone calls in a threat:

  • If you are able to do so, record the call
  • Write exactly what the caller says— ask them to repeat the information
  • Try to keep the caller speaking - ask questions if necessary
  • Write down any background noises (other voices, cars, music, etc)
  • Write down any distinct characteristics of the callers voice (tone, emotion, dialect, etc)
  • If the caller hangs up, keep your end of the call active if possible (cell phones may automatically disconnect)
  • Write down the duration of the call and when the call ended

Points of Contact

Call or text: 911
PSU Emergency: 503-725-5911
PSU Non-Emergency: 503-725-4407