The UTC Dept. of Public Safety employees are aware of the tragedy that
occurred at the Univ. of Arizona.  As "shocking" as this event is to most
people, this workplace violence is not unique to universities.  Granted,
most workplace violence doesn't result in murder, thankfully. But it does
occur in many different types of professions. According to OSHA, between
1993 and 1999 in the US, an average of 1.7 million violent victimization
per year were committed against persons who were at work.  There were 674
workplace homicides in 2000 and of the 3,829 workplace homicides in
1996-2000, the industries with the highest numbers of homicides are:
retail-1,693, services-659, and gov't-415. So the vast majority do not
happen in schools.
        Some "red flags" behaviors that may indicate a potential problem are
paranoia, prior involvement in violence, contempt for bosses and other
authorities, holding grudges or making threats, carrying a weapon or over
enthusiasm for guns, changing jobs frequently, and being unable to take
criticism or own up to responsibility.
         If you encounter a problem or a situation that makes you feel
uncomfortable or afraid, please call us as soon as possible at 4357 (help)
and let us respond.  During the course of a semester, we receive several
calls for "disruptive behavior" or "suspicious activity".
        The university does maintain a strictly enforced "no weapons" policy on
campus.  Only law enforcment officers are allowed to carry weapons.  The
university also has a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence.
        Of course, all the policies, police, and security measures in the world
may not prevent someone bent on doing bodily harm from actually doing so.
However, knowing some of the "red flags" may help.