Hillsdale NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of BRYAN ORTIGOZA (DOB: 01/25/1999; single; unemployed) of 152 Milton Avenue, Nutley, NJ; ALEX JUAREZ (DOB: 10/18/1998; single; unemployed) of 705 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ; and a 17-year-old JUVENILE from Nutley, NJ. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Hillsdale Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert Francaviglia, and the Nutley Police Department (Essex County) under the direction of Chief Thomas Strumolo.
On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, the Hillsdale Police Department received a 911 call from a resident of Catherine Court reporting an injured male lying in the roadway. The investigation revealed that the victim had been physically assaulted by several actors then dragged over 250 yards by their vehicle from the area of Beechwood Drive in Hillsdale. The victim was subsequently thrown from the vehicle in the cul-de-sac of Catherine Court. The vehicle and actors then fled the scene. The victim suffered severe, life-threatening injuries, including a broken neck and a cerebral hemorrhage. The victim was transferred to an area hospital via helicopter in critical condition, where he remains.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, law enforcement officials arrested Bryan ORTIGOZA after searching his residence and a vehicle used by him during the assault.
On Friday, February 16, 2018, law enforcement officials arrested the 17-year-old JUVENILE after conducting a search of his residence.
On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, law enforcement officials searched Alex JUAREZ’S residence. He was later located and taken into police custody.
As a result of the investigation, Bryan ORTIGOZA, Alex JUAREZ, and a 17 year-old JUVENILE were identified as actors who assaulted the victim. Ortigoza and Juarez were each charged with one count of Attempted Murder, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(2), a crime of the 1st degree, and one count of Aggravated Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), a crime of the 2nd degree. The JUVENILE was charged with Juvenile Delinquency complaints based on conduct which would also constitute attempted murder and aggravated assault if he were an adult. Bryan ORTIGOZA and Alex JUAREZ were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing on February 26, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. The 17-year-old JUVENILE was remanded to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center pending a detention hearing on March 6, 2018 at 9:00 AM.
Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would also like to thank the Hillsdale Police Department, the Westwood Police Department, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nutley Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
Oakland NJ, Borough of Oakland Police Department report that on February 21, 2018 at approximately 9:44 a.m., the Oakland Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a pedestrian had been struck by a motor vehicle on Thackeray Road. Officers were dispatched to the scene along with members of the Oakland First Aid Squad, the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department and a Paramedic Unit from Valley Hospital. Upon arrival of emergency services, the victim, a 38 year old resident of Oakland, was located beneath the vehicle, 1 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After initiating rescue efforts, it was determined that the victim succumbed to her injuries.
Further investigation revealed the victim and a acquaintance of hers were walking on the sidewalk in front of 18 Thackeray Road when they were struck by a vehicle backing out of a driveway. The initial impact knocked the victim to the ground. The driver subsequently pulled the vehicle forward and back into the driveway. The vehicle then rolled backwards out of the driveway and stuck the victim again, this time pinning her beneath the vehicle.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by members of the responding Paramedic Unit. Lt. Christian Eldridge, Lt. Keith Sanzari, Detective Mark Piercy, PO Michael Catenacci, PO Michael Griffin and PO Robert Hintzen investigated along with members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, BCI Unit.
Identities of those involved are not being released at this time, pending notification to next of kin.
The matter is currently still under investigation and no further information is available for release, at this time.
Ho Ho Kus NJ, an Eagle Scout is working on a Revitalization of the “Old Burying Ground” in Ho-Ho-Kus . The site is an area up by the train station near First Street and if you look down onto the large municipal parking lot on the right is the cemetery.
The Scout Alexander Melarti has done a nice job there and these last couple of items are putting a nice touch to his work to honor the families of the deceased.
Eagle Scout Revitalization Project of “The Old Burying Ground”
Prepared by Alexander Melarti (Eagle Scout – Troop 7)
And
Stanley A. Kober (Historic Ho-Ho-Kus Researcher)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Eagle Scout candidate’s full legal name: ALEXANDER MELARTI
Eagle Scout Service Project Name: REVITALIZING OF “THE OLD BURYING GROUND”
“The project will take place on First street in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. There is a 200 year old cemetery where some of the Hopper and Zabriskie families are buried; the families were the first inhabitants of Ho-Ho-Kus, and a member of the Zabriskie’s built what is now called the Ho-Ho-Kus inn and tavern. The last time any proper care was given to the cemetery was in 2006. The shrubs that were planted behind the headstones have become overgrown, and fall over the graves. Weeds, leaves, and dead thicket cover most of the floor of the plot, and the tarp under the gravel path leading up from the parking lot is in disarray. There is also a slope on one side of the cemetery where erosion has created a side entrance to the lot.
“This project has 4 steps. The first is to fundraise for the materials and supplies needed. The Second Step is to clean out all the debris, and trim the shrubs hanging over the grave. The third step is to add stones to the eroded side entrance in an attempt to terrace the dirt. The gravel path will be redone, and wood chips will be laid down in the fenced in section of the lot to further prevent erosion. The last step is to repair and repaint the fence posts surrounding the lot. In addition there will be a bench, an interpretive panel outside the fenced in area, and some evergreen plantings inside the lot.
“The interpretive panel will contain a brief history of the cemetery’s occupants and the role they played in the town’s history It will be placed on the perimeter of the fence where it meets the gravel path. [added recently is the installation of a QR code on the plaque that will be linked to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Master Plan].
“The Bench will match the style of the other outdoor benches of the town; the bench is made of steel and extruded aluminum with a heat fused poly-vinyl coating. It will be placed parallel to the pathway, and two feet from the fence.” [Excerpted from Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook by Alexander Melarti dated 10/23/17]
The funds to be raised will cover the purchase of the Park Bench, the Interpretive Panel, shrubbery, and other assorted materials to make the historic family cemetery a place of honor for the families interred there. Some of the items are in the process of being ordered and it would be very beneficial for the funds to be received as soon as possible.
We are extremely grateful for whatever anyone may donate for this worthwhile Eagle Scout Project honoring these families.
LOCATION: The area up by the Ho-Ho-Kus train station is First Street and if you look down onto the large municipal parking lot, on your right is the cemetery. The young Scout has done a nice job there and these last couple of items are putting a nice touch to his work to honor the families of the deceased. Click on this link and it will take you to the site. https://goo.gl/maps/PDZha5kbGhr
Wyckoff NJ, Wyckoff Police Seeks Public Assistance Identifying a Person of Interest:
If you have seen this person, or can provide any information as to her identity please contact us. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyckoff Detective Bureau at [email protected] or to send us a private message on Facebook to the Wyckoff Police Department..
As the Mayor of the Mahwah Township, I am greatly troubled that neither the Township Council or myself were ever apprised of the threat made by an eighth-grade student several months ago concerning a Township school facility. The Mayor and the Township Council need to be immediately apprised of any and all potential threats concerning our Township and its schools to ensure that swift and appropriate action is always taken. Moreover, the Township residents deserve to be timely notified of any such threats concerning the safety of their children. Our residents deserve better.
To prevent this lack of timely notification from occurring again, as the Mayor I am asking the Chief of Police to immediately notify myself and the Township Council of any and all threats involving the Township Schools. I have also requested that the Chief of Police immediately assign a uniformed, armed patrol officer to each of our Township schools when school is in session to ensure the safely of the students and staff. The presence of an armed uniformed patrol officer in a marked police car at each of the schools will act as a deterrent and provide immediate response time should a threat be made against any school facility in the interim, this will result in additional police overtime costs being incurred, but so be it. Our residents, students and District personnel deserve to be safe when attending the Township schools.
I am also calling on the Mahwah Township Board of Education and the Superintendent to immediately enter into a shared service agreement wit the Township to defray the costs of having a uniformed, armed patrol officer at each of our Township schools to ensure the safety of our students and District personnel. I will be recommending to the Township Council that we waive any administrative costs associated with such assignment to help defray the District’s expense.
We have all witnessed far too many horrific acts of violence against school children throughout our nation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those families, students and staff who are grieving as a result of these senseless and horrific acts of violence. The highest priority of government is to protect its citizens. As the Mayor, I am committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to protect our students and District staff when attending Mahwah Township Schools.
It is imperative that whenever anyone learns of a potential safety threat that they immediately notify the Mahwah Township Police Department and the Mahwah Township School District. As a community, we all have to remain vigilant and work together to ensure the safety of our students and District personnel. Always remember that “if you see something, say something.” Working together, we can prevent any senseless tragedy from occurring in the Township of Mahwah.
Notification from: Mahwah Township School District
Dear Mahwah Families and Faculty, The Mahwah School District is committed to the safety and education of all of our students. Essential to this is a commitment to communication with parents about potential safety issues. For this reason, I want to make you aware of related facts surrounding an ongoing investigation by the Mahwah Police Department. Several months ago, a student made a threat “to shoot up” Ramapo Ridge Middle School, on Friday, February 23. From the onset, school administration has taken this above matter very seriously by investigating the threat and addressing the issue with the student and his parent with urgency. The matter was also simultaneously referred to the Mahwah Police Department who conducted their own thorough investigation that also included meeting with the student and the student’s parents(s) several times. Because of this, a series of interventions were put into place, and appropriate measures have been taken to remove the student from the school for the remainder of the school year. At the end of the school day, on February 22, the school will be secured, and on February 23, the Mahwah Police Department will have officers present in the school throughout the entire school day. Additional policing measures will also be in place, but will remain confidential, in an effort to not compromise these strategic security procedures. There will continue to be a heightened presence of Mahwah Police officers throughout the school district as we work to maintain a safe learning environment for students, parents, staff, and faculty. Our district continues to work with our police department to fully investigate any potential safety concerns, as the protection of our students’ safety is our priority. Ultimately, we understand that situations may arise and are concerning to parents, students, and the surrounding community, and we want to make you aware that we diligently address any and all issues related to your child’s safety.
Sincerely, C. Lauren Schoen James N. Batelli C. Lauren Schoen, Ed.D. James N. Batelli Superintendent of Schools Mahwah Chief of Police
Dear Parents of Wyckoff Families, The shooting and killing of innocent people, especially children in Parkland, Florida, Sandy Hook, Connecticut, or anywhere else, should shake us to our core and make our hearts break. On most mornings in Wyckoff, New Jersey, as we go off to school or work, we anticipate that we will be reunited with our loved ones in the evening. Tragically, for the families in Parkland, Florida this was not the case. Increasingly, even as statistics tell us that we may be safer than ever before, we feel less safe, more exposed, and more vulnerable. As parents, we know that a shooting that occurs in a school makes us all feel even more vulnerable and helpless. Chief David Murphy and I wanted you to be aware that over the past several years, the Wyckoff Police Department and the Wyckoff School District have worked closely together to improve the overall safety and security in our schools. In addition to increased patrols, daily walk-throughs by patrol officers, table-top drills with our Building Crisis Teams, and monthly security drills, we communicate regularly at the administrative level on a variety of issues pertaining to safety and security. Our school staff and the Wyckoff Police Department are also trained in using specific technology to ensure efficient and dynamic communication in the event of an emergency. Additionally, we share the services of the Ramapo Indian Hills School District Security Coordinator, Charles J. Wolff, a retired Lieutenant with the New Jersey State Police and a Certified Homeland Protection Professional. The Parkland, Florida case, like many other school incidents over the years, had fingerprints that were signs of possible future trouble. It is critical to look out for the well-being of each other and to that end, we would stress two main ideas: First, talk with your children about their own safety and the safety of others. If they have a concern or hear something of concern for others, she/he should find a teacher or counselor with whom to share that information. Second, if you as a parent hear something disturbing from your child, report it to the school or the Police Department. We always look into these situations. Simply, if you see or hear something, say something. The well-being of the students in Wyckoff will always be our primary concern. The District is prepared to assist any child who may need support. We are looking for signs of distress in the children and suggest that you do the same. If you have questions, please reach out to me, Chief Murphy, or your child’s Principal. Sincerely yours, Richard D. Kuder Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Paramus NJ, Members of the Paramus Rescue Squad used the “Jaws of Life” to free a trapped occupant from a Toyota Corolla that was involved in a two (2) vehicle collision at the intersection of Forest and Oradell Avenues, Paramus on Sunday afternoon, 02/18. The victim, who appeared to have sustained non life threatening injuries, was transported by a Paramus EMS ambulance to Hackensack University Center’s Main Campus. Both wrecks were removed from the scene by tow trucks. Paramus Police, Fire Department and Oradell Police also responded to the scene.
Ridgewood NJ, GOP Candidate (CD5) Steve Lonegan is advocating returning ‘Prayer To The Classroom’, to stop school shootings. Lonegan says , “Prayer in school is the answer to gun violence.” Lonegan went on “It’s just so disturbing that society has deteriorated to this point morally that we are confronted with this.”
“Why does prayer scare liberals to death? Liberals took God and civics, love of God and love of country, out of schools, now they are surprised at the results? Prayer, love of God, love of country, and love and respect for each other are what we need.”
Lonegan quoted Ronald Reagan ,”If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under ”
Here is the original non-sectarian prayer being so strenuously objected to by the left: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.”
Ho Ho Kus NJ, the Ho Ho Kus Library will be hosting a , “How to Respond to an Active Shooter Incident” , presented by Ho-Ho-Kus’ emergency services. This event will discuss strategies you can use if you ever find yourself in this unfortunate situation. Registration is required, and space is limited.
The event will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Attendees will be provided with advice and instruction on three types of a “Civilian Response to Active Shooter or Similar Incident” to aid in their odds of surviving such a life-threatening incident; some background and statistics on Active Shooter incidents; description of “profiles” of an Active Shooter; and time permitting, among many other items, reviewing at least one recent Active Shooter incident.
The presenter is an experienced, Vietnam Infantry, decorated combat Veteran who also has 10 years of managing and coordinating a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) under the auspices of the municipality’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM); giving many associated, relevant presentations; and receiving certification/training in multiple areas of emergency services and incident command management, while participating and providing CERT leadership in numerous events and incidents in Bergen County.
Sign up : https://bccls.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=139451&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2018%2F03%2F01
Rivervale NJ, since so many in the media are so woefully ignorant on New Jersey gun laws , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi gave us the run down on what the rules actually are .
In a Facebook post the Assemblywomen explains , “As I know it is a huge discussion and people oftentimes are unaware of their own state’s laws and requirements, New Jersey has the third strictest gun laws in the nation. It is illegal to own or operate certain AR-15 or similar types of weapon in the State of New Jersey. Bump Stocks are also illegal to own or use. Here are the other requirements in order to own or operate a gun within our state.
Among other things, New Jersey:
Requires permits for the purchase of any handgun, as well as a separate permit for persons purchasing long guns, both requiring a lengthy background check prior to issuance (which oftentimes takes longer than several months);
Provides law enforcement discretion when issuing permits to carry concealed weapons (and it is almost impossible to secure such a permit unless you prove that you are in imminent danger);
Prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and by persons subject to protective orders;
Requires the licensing of all firearms dealers and their employees;
Limits the number of handguns that may be purchased to one per month;
Imposes a 7-day waiting period prior to the physical transfer of a handgun;
Will require the sale of personalized handguns once such technology is available for retail sale;
Prohibits the possession and transfer of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines;
Requires firearm owners to report the loss or theft of their firearms; and
Requires all firearms dealers and ammunition sellers to maintain records of all acquisitions and dispositions of firearms and ammunition.”
Hawthorne NJ, Hawthorne Police, Fire, EMS and Passaic County HazMat responded to multiple 911 reports of a irritating chemical odor inside of an apartment building located at 55 Westervelt Avenue, Hawthorne on Saturday morning, 02/17. The odor was traced to a contractor’s use of a chemical product that caused combustible fumes inside of the structure. Hawthorne EMS evaluated two (2) residents who complained of illness; both refused ambulance transportation to a local hospital. Hawthorne Fire Department personnel from Companies 2 & 3 assisted in ventilating the building.
Stanley A. Kober, KC2ZXB([email protected]), Historic Ho-Ho-Kus Researcher, A.L.I.C.E. Certified Trainer, Former Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus CERT Program Manager (T-T-T) , Former CERT/Bergen County R.A.C.E.S. Deputy Liaison Officer
Ho Ho Kus NJ, Every organization whether for profit or not for profit, professional, religious, veterans, law enforcement, historical, military, municipal, emergency
services, amateur radio operations, etc., should have the strategy to operate in the most efficient and effective means as possible. Actually, that applies to each
of us as individuals as well. Not only does it have the ability to save money (and possibly lives), it allows us to do more things in the same amount of time. After
all, time is fixed and no one can change that construct.
In order for us to accomplish an organizational or personal strategy we more likely than not use technology, but technology changes over time. The
Washington Post had an on-line article that presented those changes very well at https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/entertainment/tech-generations/?utm_term=.58e805b0d158. Unless you are a Luddite, you use technology every day. [A Luddite as described in the www.UrbanDictionary.com is one “who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are…why can’t everything just be the same?)”]
In this short article, I’m going to address just one aspect of that change which is becoming more and more evident to us on a daily basis through the use of our smartphones. That “new” technology is called “QR Codes” or “Quick Response Codes”. You know, you’ve seen that little square with all the funny black lines and boxes in advertising circulars, newspapers, etc., but don’t be fooled, these ARE NOT BARCODES. On the right is one of my own examples that I have created. If you have a smartphone, iPad, tablet, or similar device with a camera and the applicable software installed to read the code, you should be able to go to this fantastic FaceBook®page. Not all reading software is the same, so some features may not work in the software on your device that will work in other software. In other words, “Caveat Emptor”—”Buyer Beware”.
Allow me to put it in a nutshell why one should use a QR Code in their literature, signage, advertising materials, documents, procedures, manuals, etc.
Let’s take one example that was used earlier in this article—the Washington Post article on technology. In most, if not all paper printing by newspapers,
hyperlinks associated with what was displayed in print (on-line publications are different) are removed. NOTE: A “hyperlink” is the underlined portion of the
reference that allows you to click on it and bring up the article on the website.
Can you imagine how long it would take you to enter that WaPo reference into the address line of your device’s internet web browser and when you make one
wrong character you need to restart? I’m certain you wouldn’t waste your time February 07, 2018 Page 2 of 3 by entering all those characters. There we go again—that fixed construct called “time” rears its head.
In order to save “time”, because “time” is money, one can use a device that has a camera and the appropriate software to read the QR Code and go DIRECTLY to the associated reference, in this case the Washington Post article referenced earlier. Read the QR Code at the right with your smartphone and appropriate software. But, just a point of caution,
newspaper articles may not be in the same place for very long, so the link eventually might not work when going to
the original website of the media.
We know that technology is great and can do many things for us if we have the right tools with which to work. For example, QR Code generating software is all over the Internet and the software to read the codes that are
generated are abounding as well. However, when shopping for the ability to generate or read the QR code you need to have in mind what you really want to do with it—in other words, what is your goal. Remember I talked about “strategy” at the beginning of this article? Well, a “strategy” is the place where we want to be and the “goal” or “objective” is what we need to do to get there.
For example, one “strategy” might be that we want to operate in the most efficient and effective fashion as possible. One “goal” or “objective” to attain that “strategy” would be to utilize technology to the greatest extent as possible. Within “goals” or “objectives” are “tasks” that we do to meet a “goal” or “objective”. Using QR Codes is a “task” that we would use to meet our “goal” of using technology to attain our “strategy” to operate in the most efficient and effective fashion as possible. OK, enough of Management Theory, but I just wanted to put this capability in its proper perspective for
you. Now, let’s get back to QR Codes.
The first tool you need is a smartphone, iPad, tablet or similar device to be able to read the generated code. On that device you need a camera and the appropriate software to
read the code. An excellent listing of that software for many devices is found here at QR Phone Software (click on the link at the left or use your camera device to read the code at the right.)
Once you have the appropriate device and the optimal reading software, you need to have the proper software to create the QR Code that we want to use. Again, “Caveat Emptor”—”Buyer Beware”. There are many software packages on the market, but you need to test for the one you select to ensure that it operates the way YOU want it to do. For example, when I looked for my optimal reading software, one “free” package that I tested allowed me to get to the website that I wanted OK, but when I tried to download an Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format file (PDF), it would not allow me to do so. I deleted that installation immediately and moved on to others. So, in short, in selecting code generator software as well as reading software, compare the “free” packages, (called “free” even though they are coupled with advertising galore, so
they are really not “free” because it takes “time” to cancel them) and those that February 07, 2018 Page 3 of 3 might cost something for the generating software. The optimal one that I have found for my use is found at QR Code Generator. (click on the link at the left or use your device to read the code at the right.) It has many options, capabilities and truly free code generation even for testing. You might want to look at the informational videos and articles as well on that site while you’re there. By the way, if you still get ads in your reads, it’s not the QR Code generator that I am recommending here,
it’s your reading software.
Speaking of the code generator, one quick point I will add is that when you chose a QR Code type, you need to have the ability to select either a “static” OR “dynamic” code. Some software may allow only one, but you need to have both options for testing and live operations. Select “dynamic” even if you have other reasons, but especially if you have any intention of making changes to the code link (remember the news article referenced earlier that might have moved to another location?), even if you can’t think of something now, or you might want to do some analytics on the actions of the code (where did the access come
from; how many clicks were made on the code; etc.). In my opinion, there are very few activities which would require a “static” QR Code.
Before concluding, I’d like to give two examples of QR Codes in which one goes to an on-line website for a senior citizens organization and the other for use by emergency services personnel. The use of a QR Code for those in emergency services is at the right. For example, as a first responder you have a requirement to look at an instructional manual, procedure, or in this example, the latest Emergency Response Guide on line, but no one around you has a computer and you don’t have the time to search online for it on your device. In your preplanning for being an effective first responder, you have created a QR Code Card with your important links on it and you have it/them in your vehicle (POV and ERV), your pocket, your go bag, go kit, your trailer, wherever. Immediately, you can click on the QR Code like the one on the right and go directly to the guide on your device. By the way, you need to think about how you place the QR Codes on the card because if they are not sized and spaced properly you will get wrong launches and errors.
The last example for the Senior Citizens site is located at https://bcscccouncil.wordpress.com/ and the QR Code
for that site is at the right. It saves Seniors keystrokes!
So, in conclusion, if you want to get “ahead of the pack” and do things that will save you time and money, as well as give you broader access to your market or to materials that may be lifesaving, then use QR Codes in your technology goal for your organization. You will be amazed at what they can do for you.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police and EMS personnel responded to a two (2) vehicle collision at the intersection of Paramus Road and West Midland Avenue on Friday morning, 02/16. The adult female driver of a white SUV involved in the crash sustained non life threatening injuries. Both wrecks were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
Glen Rock NJ, the Glen Rock Police commented o their Facebook page , “The members of the Glen Rock Police Department extend their deepest sympathies to the community of Parkland Florida. Unfortunately, as we have seen time and time again, schools, religious facilities, shopping malls, night clubs and public buildings continue to be targets of active shooters. No matter where we live, no one has the luxury of saying “this is a quiet town and nothing like happens here”. But this does not mean that we must live in constant fear. We can and will protect ourselves!
In recent years the GRPD has increased training and purchased additional equipment to aid officers in responding to any issue which may arise at our schools and elsewhere in the community. Lessons learned nationwide have shown that local law enforcement needs to be able to respond quickly and cannot wait for assistance to arrive from outside of the community before taking action.
‘Emergency action planning’ and ‘situational awareness’ practices are ever evolving. The GRPD’s training methods, equipment and even uniforms have been modified greatly in recent years as law enforcement adapts to prepare for a potential active shooter response. Like every other law enforcement agency, the GRPD is fully prepared to respond. Likewise, our schools have greatly changed their procedures as well as training for their personnel and drills with students. Our current student body has come up thought their school years with lock-down, hold in place and evacuation drills as common place as fire drills.
What can a private citizen do?
• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers.
• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit.
• If something seems out of the ordinary, report it!
If there is an active shooter:
• If you are in an office or class room, stay there and secure the door.
• If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door.
• Immediately take cover (hide behind something hard that will stop or slow bullets), or circumstances permitting, enter an unaffected building.
• In the event neither cover nor entering a building is possible, run in a zig-zag fashion away from the sound of gunfire.
• As a last resort, if you have no avenue of escape, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.
CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO!”
