I stopped in to visit my friend at her office. It is one of those ’boutique’ type of office buildings. Individual offices as well as conference rooms are available. There is a front desk with a receptionist where mail is received and things can be left for the companies who maintain space in the building. An on site manager for the building, daily custodial service and internet service are included in the rent.

While we were visiting, a neighboring office tenant came in to ask if we had heard about THE INCIDENT the day before.

“No”, my friend replied.

Apparently, a ‘disgruntled’ former employee of one of the companies downstairs came into the building with her husband to confront her former boss. The husband was a BIG guy and a tad on the intimidating side. Loud yelling could be heard even in the upstairs offices through closed doors. Doors were slammed as the couple exited the company office and more raised voices ensued.

The couple left and one of the gentlemen working in the building went to the front door to block it so that they could not get back in. Others had called the police department who quickly arrived. An observer thought that he saw the car belonging to the couple slowly drive by the building while the police cars were there.

To say that a number of the occupants of the building were a bit unnerved is putting it mildly. After lunch a few returned with weapons.

On the morning when I was there (the very next day), several people checked in the with business manager to report that they were armed and had ‘concealed to carry’ licenses. WOW.

Pity the poor soul who might enter the building a little upset and with a raised voice to ask for directions to a particular company. I could just envision loads of people come out of their offices with their guns drawn.

My mind just spiraled from there. Would there be an ‘active shooter’ drill in the future? This building is a collection of various assorted businesses. Doctors, lawyers, massage therapists, real estate brokerages, artists and on and on.

How to get all of those businesses to come together on a given day, at a given time, sit through a discussion and come to agreement on how to handle something like that again. The mind boggles. Can you imagine that?
Another thought occurred. What would I do or where would I go in that case?

I could go to the elevator. Hmmm, the elevator for this building is, shall I say, an after thought. It is a retrofit. This elevator is for one floor. From the first floor to the second. The doors to the elevator are clear glass and a ramp for wheelchairs. To call the elevator, one has to hold the toggle lever for the entire time it takes for the elevator to go from one floor to the next. Once in the elevator, one must also hold the toggle lever for the whole journey. There is even a call button in case of emergency. It takes about 2 1/2 minutes for the elevator to make its trek up or down the one floor. So, taking refuge in this elevator does not seem like a good idea. Fish in a barrel comes to mind.

Since my friends office is at the top of the stairs, maybe just turning off the light and pulling the shade so that it suggests that NO ONE IS HOME HERE. Thus the second floor would not draw attention or fire.

Continuing my thoughts . . .

The cast of characters in this building consist of some people who have trouble walking and getting around, young people, older people and others, pacing, continuously on their phones who might not even notice anything going on.

On one hand I wanted to make light of the situation or incident but I just don’t know. I’ve heard of ‘active shooting drills’ in schools. That must be scary and give the children nightmares. I know it has bothered me and I haven’t even engaged in one.

My question to you is: Has your office or workplace had an active shooter drill?

I would love to know your thoughts

Frances Graziano Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved