As you are likely aware from news reports and social media postings, medical professionals are experiencing incidents of violence across the country. At Shore, we take this issue very seriously, and we have recently made significant investments in personnel, technology, and equipment to provide a safe and secure working environment.
“Hospitals across the country are experiencing patients and visitors physically attacking hospital staff out of anger, confusion and grief,” said Larry Phillips, Director of Security for Shore Medical Center. “Violent behavior is not tolerated at Shore, and we have taken many public and behind-the-scenes measures to protect our staff.”
All of our security personnel are employees of Allied Universal, a world leader in security services, and all officers receive the following mandatory training: MOAB (Management of Aggressive Behavior); SORA (Security Officer Registration Act - which includes suspicious activity and situational awareness); CPR; and First Aid.
Security officers are placed at the only two public entrances to the hospital - the Lobby and Emergency Department. Additional officers are patrolling the exterior of the campus as well as inside the hospital at all times. There is a physical presence of security officers here at Shore around the clock, every day. Upon request, security officers are available 24/7 to provide staff with escorts to their car.
Shore Medical Center’s security team is also in close contact with the Somers Point Police Department, and works with the SPPD on the safety and security of the campus. Because the Somers Point Police station is just a few blocks away, it is almost as if the police are an extension of our security team. They are extremely professional and their response time is immediate.
In addition, the surveillance technology has been greatly enhanced since the beginning of the pandemic. In fact, the equipment is so good that it is also used by law enforcement for a variety of incidents. There are dozens of cameras that provide expansive coverage of the entire campus, inside and out.
“We can see and track everyone from the moment they arrive, park their car, cross the street, enter the building and walk the halls,” Phillips explained. “We have state-of-the art surveillance equipment that provides tremendous coverage of our campus, inside and out.”
In the event of an incident, Shore staff members can alert security through the 1-1-1 emergency line which can be dialed from every hospital phone or through the Panic Button feature on their office phone. Both measures will elicit a rapid response from security personnel. Staff members can also help by reporting suspicious behavior before an incident arises.
“We have a lot of tools in place to protect our staff, and we have a great security team who we rely on every day. I thank each of our officers for their commitment and dedication to maintaining a safe work environment at Shore Medical Center.”
