Meant to keep people away, message prompts some to flock to scene

Oregon State University's emergency alert system was used for the first time in a real incident at 10:33 a.m. Tuesday, when students and university employees were warned to stay away from a police standoff on 25th Street near campus.

"We tested it a couple of times, but this is the first time we've mobilized it for any real purpose," said Todd Simmons, OSU's assistant vice president of university advancement. "We think it's been largely successful in keeping people away."

The system alerted people through e-mail, text messages and phone calls.

Susan Ullstad, OSU's employment services coordinator, said she received notification through her cell phone, e-mail and work phone. "It worked and we knew," she said. Ullstad also received notification when the suspect was apprehended.

The emergency alert system, which had its first test in November, was designed to warn people of dire emergencies. It was established as a response to campus shootings across the nation.

Simmons said all students and employees are included in the system through their university-issued e-mail accounts. Overall, notifications were sent to 28,350 individuals.

There were 8,285 successful phone calls, and 3,700 individuals actually picked up the phone. About 2,000 text messages also were transmitted. OSU's home page also was updated to alert people of the emergency.

"In a situation like this, even if you didn't get someone directly, you're creating a significant enough buzz on campus," Simmons said.

Although police responded to the area at about 7:30 a.m., the alert wasn't sent out by OSU until three hours later. Simmons said the university was following the direction of law enforcement agencies.

"When they thought they would not be able to resolve the situation without forcible entry, then they were inclined to push out the message," Simmons said.

"As soon as I knew the SWAT team was responding three blocks away from the campus, I decided to get the alert out to everyone," said Lt. Jeff Lanz, station commander for Oregon State Police at OSU.

The system still needs to be tweaked to make it better, Lanz said.

For example, a flood of people called the OSU Department of Public Safety and state police and asked for information after receiving the alert. Some people didn't answer their cell phones in time or get the full message and simply returned the call.

"We were inundated, overwhelmed with calls," Lanz said.

While the alert warned people to stay away, some students flocked to the excitement.

Shaun Stickel, a senior electrical engineering major, watched at 25th Street and Harrison Boulevard with several other bystanders. A dozen police patrol cars were parked nearby.

"I was studying in the MU (Memorial Union) and found something better to look at," Stickel said. "It's week one (of spring term). What can you do?"

The Oregon Institute of Technology, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, Portland Community College, the University of Portland and Central Oregon Community College are partners in OSU's emergency alert system.

OSU's share of the system will cost it $45,500 this year.

The university is looking to expand its capacity next year so it can send messages to 35,000. Those connected to OSU, but not formally affiliated with the school, would be added.

Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.

Learn more:

• Police arrest man barricaded in basement
• Neighbors, police had their eye on suspect
• Slideshow: View more photos of the March 31 police standoff with a man who barricaded himself in his residence.
• Video:Watch video of neighbor and bystander reactions.
• Listen: to the audio alert from Oregon State.