U of M to host safety seminar following bomb scare on campus

The University of Memphis and U of M Police Services are hosting a safety awareness seminar Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the University Center River Room.

 The safety awareness seminar is designed to encourage U of M students and employees to become more aware of their surroundings and to protect themselves and their property.

 U of M and Police Services’ safety awareness seminar will happen just days after university faculty, staff and students received an email from Derek G. Myers, assistant chief of police, alerting everyone to stay clear of the FedEx Institute of Technology while police investigated a suspicious item inside the building.

 U of M police located the item, which turned out to be an unattended propane tank, and contacted the Memphis Police Department, according to an email from chief of police Bruce Harber. U of M police officers made sure the building was unoccupied and secured the area.

 MPD’s Bomb Squad examined the tank and determined that it was not a threat. However, they still took custody of the tank and removed it from the campus, Harber also said in the email.

 The seminar is open to university students and employees only and will include personal safety tips, vehicle safety tips, and basic self-defense techniques. 

 A small block of self-defense instruction will be provided near the end of the seminar, which the U of M and Police Services hope will teach participants more on how to avoid harmful situations and practicing self-defense as a last resort.

 Due to limited space, participants must register for the seminar in advance.

 Those who wish to participate can register or learn more information by sending an email to police@memphis.edu, or by calling Police Services’ non-emergency number at 901-678-3848.