Brian Uridge's profile

Enhancing Safety in Public Institutions

A public administration MA graduate from Western Michigan University, Brian Uridge is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, where he studied advanced criminal justice. Currently a deputy director of public safety at the University of Michigan, Brian Uridge leads a team of 200 members consisting of security, law enforcement, and guest services personnel.

Safety in public institutions such as schools and healthcare facilities is crucial, as research indicates a high prevalence of criminal activities and incidents, including violence and theft. In healthcare, the National Nurses United revealed in a 2022 report that around 50 percent of nurses reported being attacked, which is a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Enhancing safety in institutions involves training individuals to identify threats and respond to crises. On school campuses, school administrators can collaborate with law enforcement to train staff and students to recognize warning signs of extreme aggression and unusual behavior in individuals, which could indicate a potential to commit a crime, and report them to relevant authorities. Likewise, healthcare institutions can train providers to identify signs of potential violence among patients and escalate them to law enforcement officers for a quick response.

Implementing various technologies in these institutions can also enhance safety. For example, interactive mapping, which identifies various locations in an institution and triggers actions like locking and unlocking doors, can enable first responders to act swiftly in patient-nurse or student-student attacks. Moreover, these public institutions should educate individuals on measures to take when under attack to ensure safety and prevent further harm.
Enhancing Safety in Public Institutions
Published:

Enhancing Safety in Public Institutions

Published: