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We've heard shouts to "shoot the puck," but never a suggestion to throw the puck at a shooter.
Until now.
Oakland University instructors and students are being given hockey pucks for an off-ice purpose, as WDIV web editor Natasha Dado explains after talking with campus Police Chief Mark Gordon:
According to Gordon, to fight effectively, faculty and students need to be prepared to throw objects that are heavy and will cause a distraction.
Hockey pucks provide the ability to be carried in briefcases or backpacks, are not considered a weapon and will meet the goal of distracting the shooter, according to Gordon.
The chief tells Taylor Crumley of The Oakland Post student newspaper: "If you wanted to bring something to class [for self-protection], a hockey puck would work great."
Yes, this is self-protection reality on an American campus in 2018.
OU's chapter of the American Association of University Professors organized active shooter reaction training for members, gave 800 of them the sports pucks and donated $5,000 to the university to start installing interior classroom door locks. The faculty union wants others to have the unusual defensive item, so it's "working with student groups to distribute an additional 1,700 pucks to students," WDIV reports.
The Rochester university also has an active shooter advice page at its website with "Run, Hide, Fight" tips and a seven-minute video posted in May that shows simulated scenarios and reactions.
"Deciding today what your options are will enable you to react quickly and effectively," the suggestions begin. "If you find yourself involved in an active shooter situation, try to remain calm and use these guidelines to help you plan a strategy for survival."
-- Alan Stamm
