Rooms were packed for a pair of recent trainings aimed at prevention and minimizing devastation from armed intruder incidents should one occur at an area business or faith-based organization.

The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office and Pa South Central Task Force presented the Response to Armed Assailant trainings in two two-hour sessions over the past week at Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center.

One session was designed for business owners and employees, and the other for members of faith-based organizations – both reached the 100-person registration limit.

Lead presenter George Giangi told attendees what to look for in their staff and customer base/congregation, and how they can make their facilities less vulnerable to an armed intruder incident.

DEFEAT ‘INJUSTICE COLLECTORS’

Giangi, a nationally recognized security expert, also stressed the duty on everyone to report a potential “injustice collector” – that being someone who feels they have been victimized by a system, organization or place of business and, as a result, is looking to inflict violence on others.

There are behaviors of concern, Giangi said, that must be reported. He suggested a rule of thumb being if something is unsettling to you then it should be on your company or organization’s radar, so speak up. General complaints or gripes are not by themselves reasons to report, but if a person seems fixated on others being “out to get” them, that should be considered concerning.

Awareness and action, Giangi said, can prevent an outburst or event. Don’t depend on others to take the action step; you do it. Most businesses and FBOs have systems in place for anonymous tips.

Unsettling behaviors can be the result of termination or demotion (very common in mass-violence incidents at businesses), financial or domestic troubles, or a loss in the person’s life.

The myth of someone “just snapping” and lashing out is just that, Giangi said. There are typically warning signs and events that serve as precursors to incidents of mass violence.

For example, a person deliberately ramming a vehicle in a parking lot can be a sign of unbridled aggression that could escalate further.

Some things business owners/managers and leaders at FBOs can do immediately:

• Form threat assessment teams. These are common in school districts, but also have worth at a place of business or worship.
• Build relationships with police/law enforcement. Identify active law enforcement in your facilities, invite them to tour the facilities, etc.
• Enforce a “no threats, no violence” policy.
• Have a plan for the vulnerable population, those unable to move well on their own (e.g. elderly).
• Review your social media pages for erratic or angry postings/comments.
• FBO leaders were encouraged to train ushers on warning signs to look for within the congregation.

RUN/HIDE/FIGHT

The DA’s Office did not partner in this project to prompt fear or overreaction. Our top priority is saving lives. We offered the trainings to provide as many tools and as much information as possible in serving that mission.

"There are lessons to be learned from prior tragedies," District Attorney Craig Stedman said. "Effective response can make all the difference."

Giangi pointed out at the Sept. 19 session for businesses that 54 percent of armed intruder incidents happen at places of business or commerce – 55 percent of the shooters have some sort of connection to the company, organization or facility.

Giangi stressed the RUN/HIDE/FIGHT model as appropriate response to an armed intruder, based on lessons learned from prior incidents across the country. (A short video on this response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0&feature=player_embedded )

The proper immediate action can save lives, Giangi said, as most incidents are over in 5 to 7 minutes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Parish Resource Center was a co-host of the Sept. 24 session, and will also present additional trainings in the Spring. Stay tuned to their website/social media.

Some additional information on threat assessment and teams can be found here: https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/ntac/ and here: https://www.secretservice.gov/data/protection/ntac/USSS_NTAC_Enhancing_School_Safety_Guide_7.11.18.pdf

Finally, check in with Pa South Central Task Force for future training sessions in the region. Giangi is the Task Force’s chairperson for business, industry and infracture.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright