Hostage Situation

Call 9-911 from an on-campus phone or 911 from a cell phone to report an emergency that requires immediate assistance from police and rescue personnel.

Hostage Situation in Progress

• Call 401.865.2222, or press the emergency button on any Blue Light phone, to notify the Office of Public Safety or call 911.
  
• Security will ask you to provide helpful information that includes:
  • Location of the incident
  • Description of the subject(s)
  • Number of people being held hostage
  • Types of weapons and threats

• If the hostage taker is unaware of your presence, do not intervene; stay hidden.

If Taken Hostage

• Follow the instructions of the hostage taker.
• Try not to panic. Calm other persons present.
• Treat the hostage taker as normally as possible. Make self-controlled eye contact.
• Be respectful to the hostage taker.
• Ask for permission to speak. Do not argue or make suggestions.
• Do not take action against the hostage taker unless life-threatening circumstances present themselves.