Deputies teach active shooter program to local senior citizens

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office provided a training program at United Senior Services on Thursday to help show how older residents should react in case of an active shooter.

It was the first time such a session had taken place at the center as part of the organization’s monthly Triad program connecting senior citizens and law enforcement, said Maureen Fagans, executive director for USS. It was one of the best attended programs in months, she said.

“This is a program that was probably overdue,” Fagans said. “It’s an issue that’s on everybody’s mind.”

Charles Morris of Springfield has already taken a citizens law enforcement course in the past, and he said Thursday’s training session was valuable.

The training focused on showing residents how to react in various situation, including to flee a facility if needed, and when to fight back, said Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Cultice.

“This was one of the first senior-specific events we’ve had,” Cultice said. “They requested for us to come down and share some things, and it was very well-received.”

Along with escaping or hiding from a shooter, it also provided tips on ways to distract a shooter, including throwing items or distracting a suspect with loud noise, Cultice said. The training is essentially the same both for younger residents and senior citizens, he said.

“The teaching tools are basically the exact same,” Cultice said.

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