Violence prevention is everyone’s responsibility
The Division of Public Safety’s Department of Threat Assessment recently hosted a collaborative event with violence prevention researchers, law enforcement leaders and mental health professionals from across Colorado and the nation to emphasize the importance of working together to recognize and intervene before tragedies occur.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety Marlon Lynch speaking at the threat assessment event, Sept. 18, 2024.
“Preventing targeted violence is possible,” said Mariya Dvoskina, doctor of pscyhology, licensed psychologist and certified threat manager who moderated a panel at the event. She believes prevention efforts should include education to empower individuals to take action, rather than relying solely on policies and laws. “We often look to legislature or policy making to impact change in this area, however, prevention must also occur at the individual bystander, agency and community level,” she said.
Dvoskina also stressed the need to break down traditional “silos” of information-sharing, noting that stakeholders from policing, mental health and support services bring valuable perspectives.
The event included members of the U.S. Secret Service, nationally recognized leaders in threat assessment and prevention and campus violence prevention partners from the CU Boulder Police Department and , bringing together professionals with a common goal: to ensure a robust threat evaluation and reporting process.
DPS Threat Assessment Manager Montelleo Hobley Jr. organized the event, which included a discussion on mass attacks and a panel featuring local partners working together in the threat assessment and management process.
“It was an invaluable opportunity for us to rekindle and strengthen our relationships, share insights, and collaborate on developing effective monitoring and intervention strategies. Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our campuses and communities,” he said.
To better understand CU Boulder's threat assessment process, including how you can help us build a Boulder Culture of Sharing Concerns, please visit the Threat Assessment webpage.
CU Boulder has several robust processes for individuals to share concerns and request support, including several reporting options through CUPD, the Don't Ignore It website and anonymously through . When concerns are reported, they are evaluated and addressed through tailored processes depending on the involved populations.