In the Field Safety

About Johnny LeeDirector, Peace at Work & President, ePanicButton

Workplace Violence SpecialistState of North Carolina

Training Coordinator, PREVENTUNC – Injury Prevention Research Center

Victim Services CoordinatorAsheville Police Department

Agenda

Preparation

Getting there

Being there

Leaving

Reporting

PreparationBe familiar with your destination

Know the streets and ways in/out

Google streetview exploration

Crime Maps - Police Reports on location

Build relationships with key figures

matriarchs/patriarchs, patrol officers, kids

PreparationLet people know where you are going

establish your schedule

let them know about changes

use the buddy system

Does anyone know where you are if you don’t show up?

Establish Codewords-Call in making some excuse

1. If you are a little concerned - call the front desk (if unavailable you can call Debbie M, Jessica, Nancy, a service coordinator)

Say “TELL DOTTIE I will be LATE to the meeting.” The person that you called will call you back in 5 minutes to check on you. If needed, you can use this as an excuse to leave/opportunity to tell the family that you have to leave to pick up a sick child or any other reason.

2. More concerned – call one of the above mentioned

Say “TELL DOTTIE I WON’T make it to the meeting.” The person that you called will call you back immediately which will give you a reason to leave.

PreparationEmergency Planning

Dress appropriately

Can you run?

Can they grab anything?

ID lanyards

PreparationVehicle Maintenance

In good shape

Know how to change a tire, jump a battery

Bumper stickers - how you are perceived?

Preparation

Smart Phones - free/cheap apps

phone well-charged(possible theft target)

Add supervisor and front desk on emergency contact list

PreparationReview Documentation

What are the red-flags that you would want to note?

Talk to veteran workers

PreparationChoosing Time to Visit

Time of Day

Mornings also have fewer witnesses

Time of week/month

Benefits day,

paydays - Fridays, first of the month

Nicer weather- Holidays

Preparation - Heading outEstablish your route

Put valuables in the trunk, full tank, etc

plenty of time

Google maps - Street view

Let them know that you are coming

Give them a chance to clean up/out

Even on arrival

Getting thereLock the car doors

Choose smart locations to stop

texting, checking map, etc

Have a plan if you are lost

Carjacking safety- beware of interruption

Safety plans different for rural areas

Getting thereArrival

Check it out first

scope out the area

drive by check

Call them

Getting thereParking

Easy to leave

pointing out

not in driveway

don’t get blocked in

not near hiding places - obvious, visible location

Getting thereWalking

Don’t look at your phone

Only take what is necessary

Dealing with people

Don’t engage overlong but let them know you acknowledge them

Getting thereWalking

Avoid hidden spots where you can be assaulted or that can hide an assailant.

Realize any “interaction” is a set up

asking for a cigarette, directions, help with something

ArrivalDogs

Ask first before arrivingnote in records

Check for signs

Rattle the gate

Interaction: be friendly but cautious

Don’t put your face in theirs

ArrivalFor public buildings, consider

asking to be met at entrance

Listen for concerns/warnings before knocking

Stay at entrance/front if you can

VisitingInitial and continual scan

weapons, drugs, unknown individuals

Possible Drug use or manufacturing

Meth Labs

Cautious with offers of food/drink

VisitingAvoid, if possible, leaving the

front area

Keep doors open

Keep your items with you

Have them walk in front of you

Position yourself for safety

Closest to the door

Watching everyone

Visiting- High Risk or Complicating Situations

Family arguments

Domestic ViolenceCultural issues: strict disciplining of children

Challenges in confronting parenting styles

Flirtations

inappropriate behavior and interactions

testing boundaries intentionally

Intoxication

substance abuse and mental health concerns

Where can you refer?

Handling Hostile Encounters

“Open the Fist”

●Find a partner●One person makes a fist●The other tries to get the fist open

Any means but don’t hurt anyone!!!! 30 seconds

●Switch

Self ControlFight or Flight or Freeze

Not Getting AngryWhat is your hot button?

●What is it that makes you angry?

●Something that they say or do:

○A gesture○A word

Just as AntagonizingPassive Aggressive

Fear- Don’t let them intimidate you

How do you regain Self-Control?

Take a breath

Inspirational quote

Get a drink of water

What would ( ) do?

Find what works for you

An appropriate response to each stage of aggression

●Angry – Customer Service Extreme

●Inappropriate - Setting limits

●Dangerous - Protecting self

Non Verbal Messages

Body Language

Para Verbal●Volume●Rate●Tone

Reflective, Active Listening

Rephrase (without parroting)●Identify their issue/problem

●Identify their emotion

Providing Options

Violence is about Power and Control

Providing Options

●Let them choose

●Don’t leave them without options

●Creative alternatives

Remove the Audience

●Family members●Other people in lobby●Teens, especially

●Can not lose face●Personal pride protection

When have they “crossed the line”?

Where is your line?

Setting limits

1) Identify their Behavior

2) Establish Consequences

When would you feel threatened?

●Cursing at you.●Shaking a fist in your face.●Making direct threats.●Getting in your space.●Shoving●Racist, sexist, degrading words.

Heightened Awareness

Can they be concealing a weapon? Potential weapons in the room?

What is the most dangerous room in a house?

LeavingDo not take too long - get

going

Careful turning your back

Walk with keys in hand

Call in - Take notes in a safe location

Visiting - Precautions

Body position is critical

Move towards exit; do not get blocked

Always listen to instincts if you feel like you should

go not go or that you should leave, listen to that voice!

Trust your Gut!

Red FlagsIf you feel unsafe:

Pretend that you got a call/text and need to go.

Make an excuse to make a call and drop the Codeword.

JUST LEAVE

Steps to Support a Domestic Violence Victim

●Recognize●Communicate●Refer●Support●Protect

Common Mistake # 1Judging them ● Why don’t you leave?

● Why do you stay?

● Why did you chose to this

person?

●How can you take it?

Common Mistake # 2Pushing them to leave

● Most dangerous time

● Must be prepared

● Has to be their decision

After IncidentDocumentation is key

Let the next person be aware of concerns

Consider follow up investigation

“If it is not documented, it did not happen”

Most powerful prevention measureCreating a positive, healthy workplace.