Police Launch New Innovative Approach for Community Active Shooter Awareness
On the one-year anniversary of the Parkland shooting, the South Brunswick Police Department is launching an ambitious plan to better prepare its community for an active shooter. Chief Raymond Hayducka announced Wednesday the creation of the program called Active Shooter Awareness & Preparedness (ASAP). “This program is the result of a series of conversations and meetings with business leaders, houses of worship, and community members over the past year. We took a look at the ongoing efforts within our schools, but realized that 42% of all active shooter situations take place in commercial areas,” said Chief Hayducka. He pointed to past incidents at the Newport Center Mall, Garden State Plaza Mall, and the UPS facility as examples of where the training can assist.
The one-hour program is designed to increase community members’ situational awareness and ability to respond to an active shooter. Community Policing Division Lieutenant Gene Rickle said, “By being aware of your surroundings and having a plan you are already ahead of most people. Doing nothing in an active shooter situation is not an option. The 60 minutes you spend in this program will provide you with an advantage when every second counts.”
The program has set an ambitious goal of educating over 5000 community members over the next 10 months. “Based on the initial interest in the program, I believe there is a strong desire for this presentation. We already have several presentations scheduled with businesses and community members,”said Chief Hayducka.
South Brunswick Police have scheduled a public presentation for the ASAP program on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 7 pm at Crossroads North Middle School at 635 Georges Road, Monmouth Junction.
In addition to the public presentation, South Brunswick Police will present the program to any group, business, houses of worship, club, or organization at their location or at a training room in the municipal building. “We know this information is valuable so we are flexible to meet the needs of anyone who asks for this program”, said Lieutenant Rickle.
If you are interested in attending the MARCH 12th presentation, please email [email protected] with your name and number of attendees in your group. In the subject line of the email, type
YES – MARCH 12th.
If you want more information about the program, or would like us to come do a presentation at your business, house of worship, or organization, email [email protected]. In the subject line of the email, type MORE INFO. If you have any additional questions, you may call our Community Policing Division at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7459.
