(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) says it is “deeply disturbed” by the safety breach that caused a lockdown at the Albany Medical Center, saying management at the hospital “failed to seriously consider our proposals for active shooter drills and additional security.”

Albany Media Outlets report a 61-year-old man is in custody after police say he barricaded himself in a room at Albany Medical Center on Monday (March 27th) afternoon.  Police said the man was visiting his mother in the hospital and barricaded himself in the room after pointing what appeared to be a handgun at a Transport Employee.

NYSNA released the following statement:

The New York State Nurses Association is deeply disturbed by the safety breach that took place at the Albany Medical Center.

For months, Albany Medical Center Nurses have proposed preventative measures to mitigate and protect Front Line Health Care Professionals from workplace violence.

Unfortunately, management has failed to seriously consider our proposals for active shooter drills, metal detectors, additional security in the Emergency Department and more.

As the largest employer in the county and the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center, the Albany Medical Center has a responsibility to act proactively and do more to protect its Staff, who deserve to work in an environment without fear of violence.

We call on management at Albany Medical Center to listen to Front Line Nurses and implement improved safety measures, and we demand that management immediately meet with NYSNA to address our concerns.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: Suspect in custody after Albany Med lockdown (news10.com)