ASHDOWN, Ark.-Three University of Arkansas security police officers spoke to a group of about 25 Ashdown-area residents last week on how best to deal with an active shooter.
Rather than approaching an active shooter event with the idea of either running from it, hiding from the shooter or attempting to fight an armed suspect, the three officera stressed a more measured approach potential victims could take in the event such a dangerous circumstance
Rather than running, the officers spoke of avoiding danger if given a chance to leave by the armed shooter.
The officer demonstrated this by showing video of an armed suspect, who entered school board meeting at which time he informed the public attendees that he had no issue with then and asked them to leave the meeting.
All of them complied in a calm manner.
Although this left the board member in danger, the lecturers said a public gathering would be well advised to comply with a gunman's request.
However, should the situation prove far more dangerous, the officer stressed being vigilant regarding the surroundings, keeping an exit plan in mind and moving away from a threat as quickly as possible to effectively trade space for safety.
"Get out of any situation any way you can if your allowed that," security officer Jason Curtis said. "Most criminals aren't professiona-they look mainly for crimes of opportunities-and most criminals aren't looking for confrontation. If they find it they flee. We don't expect you to be able to overpower a suspect, but if your can go ahead and do it."
When circumstances require hiding from danger, the officers said people should think of denying a armed suspect his or her chance to injure or kill anyone-particularly in multi-room enclosed area-by simply locking office or classroom doors, turning off lights, shutting off personal pocket phones to keep them from ringing and remaining out general sight if possible.
The officer said the shooting at Virginia Tech a few years back offered a good example of how some people guarded classroom doors to allow many students to exit the through classroom windows.
"Go through the primary exits of a building if you can, first," officer Monte Stringfellow said.
The officers demonstrated how to use extension cords to keep doors secured.
Finally, the three officers advised their audience that if any of them see a chance to overtake an armed suspect they should, however they caution any aggressive action against a suspect has to be conducted with full determination.
"Once you start, you have to follow through," officer Hector Cortez advised.
For more information regarding this free seminar, call 870-582-5639.