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If you need immediate assistance call the Main Campus (x6-2121) or call the Charlestown Navy Yard (x6-5400) 24 hours a day. When help is needed in a hurry and you do not want to alert others close by to the fact you are contacting security, use the Doctor Johnson Code. The Doctor Johnson Code is a duress code used to request immediate assistance from the Police and Security Department without others knowing. Doing the following will activate the Doctor Johnson Code: 1. If located at Main Campus dial 6-2121.
Panic ButtonsPanic buttons are located in high-risk areas throughout our facilities. If you become suspicious or threatened by an individual or activity you can press the panic button, which will send a silent duress alarm to the Police and Security dispatch center. The alarm board in the dispatch center will show where the alarm is coming from. Police and Security dispatch will contact Police and Security staff by radio and request an immediate response to your location. MGH’s size, demographics, geographic, and type of business makes it an open environment that may provide opportunities for individuals to be in areas where they should not be conducting illegal or unethical activity. Here are some tips if you suspect inappropriate activity:
If you need assistance in a hurry or are unable to speak freely, use the “Doctor Johnson Code”.
The following incidents require you to immediately contact Police and Security: Thefts “Code Pink” is the hospital’s response to a potential “missing or abducted infant” situation. If “Code Pink” is announced over the public address system or if you become aware of a “Code Pink” drill, you should do the following: Be aware of any unusual individual(s) or activities in your work area particularly as they pertain to infants.
If an individual has abducted an infant they may not be carrying the baby in plain site. In abductions that have occurred in hospitals, the adult has hidden the baby completely out of site in shopping bags or backpacks. The photo identification badge/access control card provides a mechanism to identify individuals and control their access to pre-approved areas, thus contributing to a safe work environment. Hospital policy, state law and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) require all employees to wear an identification badge at all times while working at MGH. In addition, the wearing of the identification badge has enormous customer service value as it relates to our patients and visitors. The photo identification badge can be requested by entering the Police and Security website, click on Our Services, click on Photo ID and submit the form. The person submitting the form must be listed with Police and Security as authorized to grant access for the area. The following is designed to assist you in replacing your photo identification badge or your access control card. There is a $5.00 replacement fee for a lost photo identification badge and $10.00 replacement fee for a lost access control card. Phone Number for Questions 724-9339
If you receive a package or substance that could be suspicious or dangerous, without touching or moving immediately contact Police and Security at x6-2121 (Main Campus) x6-5400 (CNY). Suspicious Mail Characteristics
Proper Response
Walking alone can be an uncomfortable experience at certain times. Police and Security staff will provide a security escort for employees, patient or visitor who need an escort to the garages, lots and streets surrounding the hospital perimeter. Depending on the level of activity at the time, you may have to wait a short period of time. If you would like an escort, please call Police and Security at x6-2121 or CNY at 6-5400. OperationsThe Police and Security Department provides a variety of law enforcement, loss prevention, victim assistance, and ancillary functions to include the following:
In addition we provide emergency response to panic alarms, duress calls, disturbances, fire, floods, hazardous spills, bomb threats, elevator entrapments, suspicious persons, utility failures and internal/external disasters. Members of the Police and Security staff provide assistance in medical situations as members of the Cardiac Code Team (providing ancillary assistance, crowd control, and transport functions), and the Proceed-Out Team. As certified First Responders we are the first to respond to medical emergencies or slip and fall injuries on MGH property. As licensed Sate Special Police Officers, the members of the Police and Security Department provides investigative functions such as interviewing, gathering and retrieving evidence, detaining and interrogating suspects, establishing probable cause, placing suspects under arrest, presenting evidence and testifying in court on criminal matters, acting as a liaison with public law enforcement agencies, and securing firearms. Motor Vehicle PatrolSecurity officers who are assigned to the motor vehicle patrol conduct continuous patrol of garages, exterior buildings and property, and the surrounding area of the hospital. The employee providing this function can assist motorists who need motor vehicle assistance if they have locked their keys in the their car, need a jump start, or need assistance finding their vehicle. Our outside services personnel also provide escorts to the subway and train stations as well as parking facilities. Bike PatrolWe have a contingency of security officers who have been trained as bike patrol officers by the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. This function allows us to provide immediate response and a variety of functions (from patrolling the property to responding to a medical assist) outside of the hospital. This program has been very well received and allows us to be even more proactive and responsive. Ambassadorial ProgramThe members of the ambassadorial program welcome, assist and provide concierge type functions to people entering the hospital. They not only remove or lessen the fear and apprehension for our patients and visitors, they are an integral part of our disaster plan by assisting in controlling pedestrian and vehicle access. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) investigate incidents of reported crime to include: theft, fraud, threats and harassment, or inappropriate behavior and provide threat assessment and assistance to victims of workplace and domestic violence. The following is a list of services offered by the SIU. Workplace ViolenceWorkplace violence training, consultation and assessment for managers and supervisors, investigation of actual events and victims’ assistance services are available. All incidents of workplace violence to include any incident that causes a person to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in the workplace must be reported. All incidents and complaints are thoroughly investigated and all possible assistance is given to area management and Human Resources to resolve these situations. Domestic Violence/Court AssistanceIn coordination with the Employee Assistance Program and Haven, the SIU assists both patients and employees of MGH with obtaining Refrain From Abuse Orders (209A). As a 209A is relative to the town the abuse occurred in, an SIU member would escort and assist the victim in obtaining a 209A in the appropriate court. A copy of the restraining order and a photo of the defendant will remain on file with the Police and Security Department to ensure the victim’s safety. Any violation of a 209A will result in an arrest or the filing of a criminal complaint. The Investigators will assist the victim with implementing appropriate security measures. Threat AssessmentThreat assessments are another service provided by SIU. Once a credible threat has been established, the SIU member will conduct a background check on the perpetrator to determine the risk potential. Customized security measures are implemented at the work place, such as change of locks, traps on phones, and escorts. When appropriate, the Investigators will contact the perpetrator and they will be advised that criminal charges may be filed and a no trespass order for MGH property will be issued. Annoying/ Harassing Phone CallsSIU will first attempt to identify the caller. Once identification is made, a risk assessment of the perpetrator will be conducted. SIU will either directly confront the perpetrator or, when necessary, will coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to pursue criminal charges. As per threats, appropriate security measures will be implemented. Drug Related InvestigationsThe SIU assists the staff by conducting investigations of possible narcotics diversion, lost or stolen medications, and forged or altered prescription requests. The SIU works closely with Physicians and the Departments of Nursing and Pharmacy to identify discrepancies and prevent future problems. The SIU maintains liaison with area municipal Police Departments, the Massachusetts State Police Drug Interdiction Unit and Federal Law Enforcement agencies and conducts joint criminal investigations with these agencies. Travel Advisory SIU now offers a travel advisory service to afford the members of the MGH Community safer travel. Provided is information regarding dangerous and unusual trends; from street crime to political upheaval, the location of U.S. Embassies and Consulates, visa and vaccination requirements, and current exchange rates. Also noted are specific laws that may be unconstitutional within our country. For information regarding this service and/or require specific information regarding your travel, contact Karen Leary, SIU Manager, at kjleary@partners.org or 726-1474. The Security Systems Group provides assessment, consultation, design, engineering and installation of security systems for the MGH community. This group provides the technology for the institution’s security systems i.e.: integrated access control system, panic/emergency buttons, closed circuit television cameras, and voice/video intercom systems. These systems are designed to meet the security needs of the customer and should decrease vulnerabilities, liability and loss for the organization. These sophisticated systems allow greater protection and flexibility for individual departments to safeguard their assets. Panic/Emergency ButtonsPanic alarm buttons may be strategically installed in a work area. The button is usually located in an area that is readily accessible. The panic button is intended only for use in emergent situations (i.e., intruder, suspicious persons, bomb threat, suspicious package). It should not be used to contact the Police and Security Department for a routine request but one should feel free to use it at anytime a threatening or dangerous situation exists. Voice / Video IntercomVoice/video intercom technology is used to remotely provide someone access to a locked unit. The intercom will permit personnel to make visual and voice confirmation of an individual’s identity prior to opening the door. The systems group has also developed a booklet containing Integrated Security System Guidelines. This booklet outlines how the integrated access control system works; its operation, and the components of the system. It also provides guidelines to specific locations. The Security Systems group also coordinates the C.O.R.I. (Criminal Offender Record Information) background screening for all potential new hires at Partners entities. Our crime prevention program consists of various services that help to reduce crime. There are five components to our crime prevention program: Educational Presentations Educational PresentationsWe provide educational presentations on various security/safety-related themes. These presentations are offered to employees in a variety of forums (from staff meetings to public lectures). Last year over 300 lectures were given by Police and Security staff members highlighting issues such as "Making a Safe Workplace" "Services Offered by Police and Security", and "Dealing with Potentially Violent Situations" . Security SurveyA security survey is an assessment of risk of crime and vulnerabilities and recommendations to remove or reduce the risk. A security survey can be done of a building, suite, office, and laboratory. The survey consists of an assessment of the physical locality (including locks, alarms), assessment of security procedures and protocols, identification of potential risks, and recommendations to remove the risks. Operation IdentificationThe Operation Identification Program targets marketable items (those items that are most likely to be stolen) and engraves an identification marking on these items for deterrent and retrieval purposes. Information about the item is then placed on a statewide database for future reference. We also will secure or lockdown those pieces of equipment that are at risk to be stolen. There is a cost associated with the locking devices but all other crime prevention services are free. Awareness Lets Everyone Reduce Theft (A.L.E.R.T.) ProgramPolice and Security Officers leave A.L.E.R.T. stickers while performing patrols throughout the MGH community identifying areas and/or property that should be secured. They are used as a reminder to employees and staff to secure their valuables. Community PolicingWe have developed formal partnerships between members of the Police and Security Department and other MGH employees/groups identifying problems and collaboratively designing solutions that will enhance patient care for our patients and quality of life for our employees. The result of this program have been r educed theft, improved physical security, reduced opportunity for theft, improved communication, improved processes with visitation issues, and improved law enforcement liaison. In areas where community policing has been enacted a security officer who has been trained in community policing concepts is assigned to an area and works with that group to identify and solve mutually identified problems. Value Added ServicesThe Police and Security Department also provide other ancillary functions, which help to make the hospital run more efficiently. We provide the information desk function in the Main Lobby during off hours, deliver packages, pickup emergency blood or supplies, provide pathology escorts for medical examiners or funeral directors, assist in securing patient valuables, providing victim support (by obtaining restraining orders, designing personal protection plans, home security surveys, etc.), fingerprinting services (for licensure etc.), and notary public services among others. Lost and FoundThe Police and Security Department maintains and secures lost and found items in the Chevrette Communications Center located in the Gray building basement. |
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