MACOMB, ILL. --
On Wednesday, Western Illinois Univeristy resembled a ghost town thanks to a threat of a shooting received overnight.
Campus Police and local authorities increased their presence on the Macomb campus.
The threat never came to fruition and the authorites are currently investigating the matter and aksing anyone with information to call WIU's Office of Public Safety at (309) 298-1949 or the Macomb Area Crimestoppers at (309) 836-3222. Information leading to an arrest could result in a cash reward.
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WIU E-MAIL ALERT SENT TO STUDENTS
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| WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Message sent - 3/26/2008
WIU Macomb Threat
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An anonymous threat of possible shootings on the WIU Macomb campus has been received from an off-campus location. Law enforcement officials are investigating. There is increased police presence on campus. Check the WIU homepage at www.wiu.edu about class and work attendance and for additional information. | | To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. |
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WIU TEXT MESSAGE SENT TO STUDENTS
WIU TEXT MESSAGE SENT BY STUDENTS
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WIU PRESS RELEASE - FAQ (3-28-08)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What time was the letter found?
A: The letter was found by a Campus Manor employee in the apartment complex's drop box shortly before 8:30 a.m. March 26.
Q: What did the letter say?
A: "There will be a shooting today all around campus. Make the right decision. Bang. Bang."
Q: What time was the campus notified of the threat?
A: Macomb Police Department personnel contacted the WIU Office of Public Safety at 8:30 a.m. March 26. OPS alerted WIU administration immediately and by 9:30 a.m. a Timely Warning was posted and an emergency alert message was launched on WIU's Emergency Alert System.
Q: How many messages were sent via the emergency alert system?
A: 5,349 text messages; 16,690 voice messages; 22,142 e-mails were sent to faculty, staff and students on the Macomb campus.
Q: Why didn't the University close?
A: When a situation such as this occurs, the University assesses the unique circumstances surrounding each situation, in direct consultation with campus security and other agencies if needed. University administration believed it was necessary to keep campus open in order to send a strong message to possible future "copycats," and also to underscore that such threats will not be tolerated. The University recognized, however, that some students and employees might not feel comfortable coming to campus to attend classes or work; therefore, a statement was issued that an individual who was not comfortable coming to campus, could stay home and would not be penalized for missing class/work. We will, of course, review our decision carefully and will assess future responses to such circumstances.
Q: How was the threat viewed by University administrators?
A: Any threat is taken seriously, which is why a Timely Warning was distributed and an emergency alert was issued. In addition, the University asked local police agencies (McDonough County Sheriff's Department, Macomb Police and the Illinois State Police) to assist Western's Office of Public Safety in enhancing patrol and security on the WIU campus. Increased patrol continues through today (March 28). Entrances to WIU residence halls were also locked and accessible only to residents with keys, which will continue until further notice.
Q: How is the investigation progressing?
A: Western's Office of Public Safety continues to work with local police agencies to investigate this incident. People with any information should contact the Office of Public Safety at 309/298-1949 or the Macomb Police Department at 309/833-4505. In addition, people with information may also call Macomb Area Crimestoppers at 309/836-3222. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000 from Crimestoppers. Additional donations have been made which would make the total award nearly $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. The WIU Office of Public Safety is currently reviewing the possibility of setting up its own crime-tip hotline.
Q: I signed up for the WIU emergency alert system but didn't receive a message.
A: Please check your information on the system's log-in page. The system's database currently holds phone numbers and WIU e-mail addresses from existing personnel and student files. Students, faculty and staff should enter -- and review for accuracy -- supplemental emergency contact information at www.wiu.edu/alertsystem and click on "Sign Up" located on the left sidebar. To sign in, each member of the WIU community can enter his/her nine-digit WIU ID (with no spaces or dashes) and WIU e-mail address. Individuals may enter up to six telephone numbers - - students, this can include parents; a number to receive a text message; and two e-mail addresses.
A minor issue has been identified as a result of the system's use on March 26. Some offices and individual contacts did not receive a message by phone, text or e-mail. This issue has been identified and is being resolved through the vendor.
WIU PRESS RELEASE - Posted 4:00 p.m. (3-27-08)
Western Illinois University's Office of Public Safety, in cooperation with local police, are continuing to investigate a threat that was found at Campus Manor apartments March 26.
In response to yesterday's threat, an increased police presence was added on the Macomb campus and residence halls were locked. The campus remains under heightened security Thursday; however, the University has resumed its regular schedule and all events, including the March 28 production of "The Producers" in Western Hall, will be held throughout the remainder of the week as planned.
"We appreciate the support and assistance we have had, and we are extremely grateful that we were able to return to our regular schedule today," noted President Al Goldfarb.
On Friday, March 28, additional officers from the Office of Public Safety will be on campus to provide an extra measure of security. Individuals witnessing any unusual or suspicious activity should contact the Office of Public Safety immediately by calling 9-1-1 from any campus phone or (309) 298-1949, or using one of the 51 emergency callboxes located throughout campus.
Students who have personal concerns should contact the University Counseling Center at (309) 298-2453. Individuals with information about the anonymous threat should contact the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS) at 309/298-1949 or Macomb Area Crimestoppers at (309) 836-3222. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000 from Crimestoppers. Additional donations have made totalling nearly $4,000 for any information leading to the arrest. The WIU Office of Public Safety is currently reviewing the possibility of setting up its own crime tip hotline.
Western Emergency Alert System (WEAS), which is in place to inform the campus communities of any emergencies taking place on the WIU-Macomb and -Quad Cities campuses via text, voice and e-mail messages, was used yesterday to notify the Macomb campus of the threat. The system's database currently holds phone numbers and WIU e-mail addresses from existing personnel and student files. Students, faculty and staff should enter, and review for accuracy, supplemental emergency contact information at www.wiu.edu/alertsystem and click on "Sign Up" located on the left sidebar. To sign in, each member of the WIU community can enter his/her nine-digit WIU ID (with no spaces or dashes) and WIU e-mail address. The University will only activate the system for emergency purposes.
WIU PRESS RELEASE - Posted 8:00 a.m. (3-27-08)
Western Illinois University will return to its regular operating schedule Thursday at 8 a.m.; however, heightened police presence will remain on campus throughout the day. Residence halls will remain locked and accessible only by residents with keys until further notice.
Any unusual or suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety by calling 9-1-1- from any campus phone or 309/298-1949. There are also 51 emergency callboxes located throughout campus.
Students who have personal concerns should contact the University Counseling Center at 309/298-2453.
"We continue to investigate this threat and focus on the safety of our entire campus community," President Al Goldfarb said. "Again, I also remind the campus that the individual or individuals responsible for this threat will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Individuals with information about the anonymous threat should contact the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS) at 309/298-1949 or Macomb Area Crimestoppers at 309/836-3222. Crimestoppers callers remain anonymous. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $4,000, with funds coming from Crimestoppers, and a $1,000 donation from Al and Elaine Goldfarb and a $2,000 donation from Campus Apartments, Inc.
WIU PRESS RELEASE - Posted 4:30 p.m. (3-26-08)
Western Illinois University will return to its regular operating schedule, effective 8 a.m. Thursday, March 27; however, heightened police presence will remain on campus throughout the day.
After receiving notice from the Macomb Police Department that a letter containing the threat of shooting was found in a dropbox at an off-campus apartment complex approximately 8:30 a.m. today (March 26), the University issued an emergency alert via the Western Emergency Alert System and placed a Timely Warning, in accordance with the Clery Act, on the WIU homepage. In addition, officers from Western's Office of Public Safety, the Illinois State Police, McDonough County Sheriff's Department and the Macomb Police Department patrolled campus throughout the day.
Residence halls will remain locked and accessible only by residents with keys until further notice. In addition, several events scheduled to take place March 26 have been postponed. For a full listing, visit www.wiu.edu.
"We appreciate and understand the many calls and e-mails of concern and support that we have received today," President Al Goldfarb said. "We particularly appreciate the support we have received from local police and community agencies."
Individuals with information about the anonymous threat should contact the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS) at 309/298-1949 or Macomb Area Crimestoppers at 309/836-3222. Crimestoppers callers remain anonymous. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.
In addition, President Goldfarb and his wife, Elaine, have donated an additional $1,000 to Crimestoppers if the information provided leads to an arrest, and the apartment complex's management company, Campus Apartments, has also donated $2,000 to Crimestoppers.
"The individual or individuals responsible for this threat will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Goldfarb said. "Threats of any kind will not be tolerated."
WIU PRESS RELEASE - Posted 2:30 p.m. (3-26-08)
At the present time, Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety, in conjunction with personnel from the Illinois State Police District 14, McDonough County Sheriff's Department and Macomb Police Department, continue to monitor and patrol the Macomb campus. Heightened police presence will remain in place for the remainder of the day. Residence halls remain locked and accessible only by residents with keys. Students who wish to remain in their residence halls and apartments will not be penalized for missing classes today. Faculty and staff who wish to be absent should contact their supervisors.
Individuals with information about the threat regarding a shooting on the Western Illinois University-Macomb campus should contact the WIU Office of Public Safety (OPS) at 309/298-1949 or Macomb Area Crimestoppers at (309)836-3222. Callers remain anonymous. If the information provided leads to an arrest, the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000. In addition, President Goldfarb and his wife, Elaine, have donated an additional $1,000 to Crimestoppers if the information provided leads to an arrest.
Further announcements regarding WIU operations for the remainder of the week will be made by 5 p.m. today; however, officials anticipate resuming to regular schedule Thursday, March 27.
A press conference was held at 10:30 a.m., featuring Goldfarb, Fitzgerald and Vice President of Student Services Garry Johnson, who discussed the threat, campus security and ongoing actions by campus and local police.
WIU PRESS RELEASE - Posted 9:30 a.m. (3-26-08)
The Office of Public Safety (OPS) at Western Illinois University and Macomb Police are investigating a threat regarding a shooting on campus that was received at an off-campus apartment complex sometime overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to the Office of Public Safety Director Bob Fitzgerald, an employee of an apartment complex near campus reported receiving a handwritten note in the complex's payment drop-box that indicated there would be a shooting on the WIU campus Wednesday.
Residence halls are locked and accessible only by residents with keys. Students who wish to remain in their residence halls and apartments will not be penalized for missing classes on Wednesday, March 26. Faculty and staff who wish to be absent should contact their supervisors.
"While this is an anonymous off-campus threat, it is imperative that we take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students, staff and faculty," noted WIU President Al Goldfarb.
Police patrol, including assistance from the Illinois State Police, Macomb Police Department and the McDonough County Sheriff's Office, has been increased and is highly present on the WIU-Macomb campus, Fitzgerald said. Any unusual or suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Office of Public Safety by calling 9-1-1 from any campus phone or 298-1949. There are also 51 emergency callboxes located throughout campus.
Goldfarb added the University is working with Macomb Police in an effort to find the person or persons responsible for the threat.
"We are investigating this incident, and we will prosecute the individual responsible to the fullest extent of the law," Goldfarb said.
A timely warning alert has been issued using Western's Emergency Alert System.
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