University's false alarms need to stop

PORTALES — Oops.

Somebody accidentally pushed a button Wednesday morning and cops swarmed around the Student Academic Services building on the campus of Eastern New Mexico University.

At the same time, students, faculty and staff were instructed to "Shelter in place," and "Mute cell devices."

Those off campus mostly just prayed or worried about the supposed "Active shooter on campus" endangering their friends and loved ones.

Now we know it was all a mistake. There was no active shooter or any kind of emergency at the Portales university.

The active shooter alert was triggered when a staff member somehow accidentally pressed a button on their pocketed cell phone, University Police Chief Brad Mauldin said.

Sort of like butt dialing, but with more serious repercussions.

There are lots of reasons to be alarmed about Wednesday's incident:

• This wasn't the first time it's happened. University officials said five false alarms have been texted and emailed to those with ENMU interests in the past year. It's the first time someone accidentally warned about an active shooter, but false fire and medical emergencies have also gone out.

• No injuries were reported during Wednesday's incident, but there was plenty of opportunity for injury — police rushing to the scene, students rushing to get away, bystanders who had no idea what was happening potentially being run over in the confusion.

• Multiple false alarms lead to lack of credibility in the system intended to save lives. The first time you receive warning that your life may be in danger, it makes your heart hop and your senses sharpen. When it happens every other month, and it's not true, it makes you roll your eyes and go on about your business.

ENMU President Steve Gamble offered a positive spin late Wednesday morning.

"The feedback we got was that people began immediately barricading their classrooms," he said. "They did exactly what they were supposed to do. ... It was all by accident, but we think we learned something from it."

Hopefully one thing everyone learned is that the accidental alerts need to stop.