Anchorage, AK
The Valdez Police Department says their community is ready should an active shooter ever take aim at their city. Back in May of 2013, the department trained in a program called ALICE — which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. The program’s founder, Greg Crane, says it is designed to be a proactive response to a man-made threat. “Sometimes, sitting in the corner is not what you should be doing in this moment,” said Crane. “You have other options.” Superintendent Jim Nygaard says he thinks the program is a success. He says the program is catered to meet the specific needs of the various age groups. Teens at the high school level will be better able to defend themselves, while teachers at the elementary level will be able to handle an intruder in a different manner. He says the training is a joint effort and offers emotional support to students as well. “It was very intense training,” said Nygaard. ”Easily in the top 10 of some of the best training I’ve ever been exposed to.” Read more
