By TIPHERET PEÑA/Murphy News Service
The University of Minnesota issued a public safety update following a lockdown Wednesday at Normandale Community College to reassure students of the U’s safety procedures.
Normandale issued a lockdown after a suspect, who was being pursued by Edina and Bloomington Police, was on the run within the local neighborhood.
The suspect, a 38-year-old St. Paul man, was eventually found in a gazebo in the 9500 block of Oxborough Curve in Bloomington, the Star Tribune reported. He was arrested and is expected to face charges of fleeing police and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, police said. The lockdown lasted about 90 minutes.
The situation raised questions among students at the U about the university’s safety procedures.
“With the sheer size of our campus and the number of buildings, ordering a lockdown here at the University of Minnesota is impractical,” U Vice President Pamela Wheelock said in the public safety update.
Wheelock informed students, faculty and staff that a more likely plan of action would be to “Shelter-In-Place” in the event of an emergency.
“Shelter-In-Place” is used in situations where it is safer to have those on campus remain indoors rather than to have them evacuate outside and expose them to potential danger. Events such as a chemical leak, tornado or an active shooter are examples of times where students would be asked to shelter-in-place.
“While the best place to shelter will depend on the emergency, a good rule of thumb is to seek safety by placing as many barriers as possible between you and the danger,” Wheelock said.
There have been comments made recently that the university’s public safety terms and phrases are not as clear as they could be, the update said.
“We’re looking to clarify our language and will provide more information in the near future,” Wheelock said.
Other public safety news
Wheelock also updated the U community about Joseph Leonard Jennings, a suspect who was arrested by the University of Minnesota Police Department in September for allegedly groping a student near the intersection of Delaware Street and 25th Avenue.
Jennings’ photo was posted on the police department’s website earlier this week. Jennings was arrested almost immediately, due to an alert response by the Public Safety Emergency Communications Center and the police department, and charged with felony criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charged Jennings and he was released from custody after posting bail with the condition that he not come within one mile of the university campus, the update said.
Jennings is described as a 32-year-old white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build and light complexion, green eyes and brown hair. If you see Jennings on or around campus, please call 911.
Reporter Tipheret Peña is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.