Chief’s Corner: On the Beat

This installment of On the Beat addresses school zone posted speed limits, and the recent shootings on the Mainland. It is not an easy topic to discuss but it is necessary to avert or minimize its affects.

Dear Chief Perry,

Q: I have always wondered what was meant by the sign that says “15 miles per hour when children are present” in the school zones. Does it mean when you can see children or any school is in session and all the kids may be in the classroom? I’ve lived here 21 years and still don’t know.

— Joy

A: The school zone speed limit has a sign stating that the posted speed limit is 15 MPH (for Kaua‘i) during the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and when children are present. This would be during school hours. It would not apply on weekends and holidays or when children are not in school. During school hours the children are not always in class; a class of students may be outside for physical education or some other outdoor activity and there is a potential for a child to be near the roadway. Schools also have evacuations and fire drills so children may be near the roads. Students also have breaks such as recess and lunch where they may be outside and near roads. For the safety of the children we enforce the school zone speed limit when students are at the school.

But when school is not in session, the speed limit is 25 mph.

Dear Chief Perry,

Q: I just heard on the news today of yet another shooting incident, this time at the Northern Illinois University where five students were killed and about 16 others were wounded. What is going on, and how do we prevent this from happening?

— John

A: It is very difficult to assess what motivates an individual to commit such an act of violence. Historically we are familiar with the Xerox shooting on Nov. 2, 1999.

And, just over a week ago at a council meeting in Kirkwood, Mo., an enraged citizen shot and killed five public workers.

So what do you do as a private citizen or government employee?

There are certain things you should be made aware of, and questions you should ask so that you have a better chance for survival. First of all, you must prepare for the worst case scenario. While not inclusive, here are some considerations:

• Within the organization, what safety measures or policies have been established to ensure your safety, and the safety of others?

• Are these policies practiced? Do you have evacuation drills?

• Is there an escape plan?

• Are there dangerous choke points (meaning converging areas) that have been identified?

• Is there a designated safe-room to barricade until help arrives?

Other preventive measures may be implemented to deter or at least minimize the risk to employees of government and/or private sector. As an example, consideration could be given to the hiring of security personnel and installation of a metal detector to preclude the possibility of firearms or other weapons entering into the premises.

Hand-held metal detection wands may also be an option because they are less intrusive than a frisk.

I can assure you that in hostage situations and shootings of this nature, our Specialized Services Team is trained to respond appropriately to secure, and if necessary, to neutralize the threat. For example, in 2007, our SWAT members engaged in the Response to Active Shooters training at the Lihue Court House, and Kapaa High School. But then again, this is a reactive response to a situation that has already occurred.

While we will do everything in our power to keep you out of harm’s way, you must, however, take responsibility for your own safety until we are able to respond.

Remember that the most dangerous thoughts are not that of the criminal, because their reality is distorted — it is instead the victim’s mindset of complacency believing that something as heinous as a shooting won’t happen here, and it won’t happen to me.

• Darryl Perry is the chief of police at the Kauai Police Department. Send your comments or questions to dperry@kauai.gov