Hospitals Grapple with Security Measures after New York Shooting

Hospitals Grapple with Security Measures after New York Shooting

A man defied security measures to kill his bedridden wife and himself, rattling hospital staff.

A woman and her husband died from an apparent murder-suicide at the Westchester Medical Center on Aug. 8. Authorities say the shooter wanted to end his wife’s suffering.

The suspect was at the hospital visiting his wife. He brought a licensed .38-caliber revolver with him into the room, shooting her and then himself after leaving a note indicating his intentions. Police responded to the active-shooter call at 9:39 A.M. Within 90 minutes, the lockdown on the building was lifted, and operations had fully resumed by the afternoon.

Westchester Medical Center has security measures including armed guards, but has no metal detectors, which authorities believe is how the suspect was able to smuggle the revolver inside. Most hospital security is focused around the entrance and emergency rooms, not long-term care.

Hospitals across the Northeast have been struggling to beef up security following a recent trend of shootings, especially a June 2017 shooting where an ex-employee in a Bronx area hospital killed a doctor and wounded six others.

Popular methods of increasing security include metal detectors, required guest passes with an identification process, and even armed guards. Some hospitals have even begun hiring police officers to provide extra security.

Hospitals provide security coordinators with many complex problems. There are normally large populations of elderly or immobile patients, which can persuade staff to stay with them and fail to evacuate during active-shooter scenarios. Hospitals also tend to have many entrances, with people coming and going regularly.

Westchester Medical Center officials say they will be reviewing security practices in the wake of this incident.

About the Author

Jordan Lutke is an intern with 1105 Media.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.