Armed Robbery Sounds Alarms At Sonoma State

SONOMA (CBS/KCBS) -- A Saturday morning armed robbery at Sonoma State University's bookstore prompted the school to use its mass-notification system.

The system, that alerted over 15,000 people, allowed the school to quickly spread the word that everyone on campus should shelter in place until it was safe to come out.

The incident happened around 7:30 Saturday morning. Police said one employee was tied up while the robbers, dressed in black hoodies and sneakers took items and cash.

They then took off on foot and have yet to be found.

Nobody was harmed in the incident.

Many campuses across the country developed or improved their mass-notification systems in the wake of the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech University that killed 30 students and faculty members.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

Sonoma State's system can send messages via text, phone and email.

"We decide to send out these mass notifications if there's a safety issue. That's the only time they are used.

Sonoma State spokesperson Susan Kashack says in this latest instance, the university was able to send messages to more than 15,000 people that there was an armed robbery at the campus bookstore.

"We ask people to shelter in place until they hear otherwise," said Kashack.

Kashack says a second message was sent when police deemed there was no longer a threat to the campus community.

In addition to students, the safety messages are also delivered to faculty, staff and even parents.

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