Wakefield, Massachusetts has created a program, known as the Workplace Violence Pilot Program, which confronts incidents of harassment and assault that undermine people's safety at work. Wakefield was shaken by workplace violence when on Dec. 26, 2000 Michael McDermott walked into the Edgewater Technology office and fatally shot seven co-workers. The program is headed up by police chief Stephen Doherty who speaks to business leaders around the country informing them about ways to prevent workplace violence. Doherty also encourages managers to contact police with concerns about potentially unsafe situations before they escalate into violence.
See "Before the boss needs to call 911", Stacy A. Teicher, The Christian Science Monitor, September 14, 2003