Lake in the Hills police offers active shooter response training

The Lake in the Hills Police Department will offer free active shooter response training for businesses and religious institutions on how to prepare, prevent and react during an active shooter event in the workplace and gathering environments.

The new, two-hour course will be offered monthly from August through November at the Safety Education Center, 1109 Crystal Lake Road.

The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course provides strategies, guidance and a plan for surviving such an event.

Designed to empower civilians, the course was created by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center (ALERRT) at Texas State University after in-depth research into active shooter events over a 14-year span. It is built on three principles - avoid, deny, defend.

Lake in the Hills Police Officer Andrew Mannino received specialized training from ALERRT instructors and will provide instruction for business owners and their employees, as well as members of religious organizations.

Topics included in the course are: history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues, how to conduct drills, and how to control the body's physiological response to stressful situations.

Space is limited and preregistration is required. Priority registration will be given to Lake in the Hills businesses, religious institutions and residents. Nonresidents also can participate.

For more information or to register, contact Lake in the police communications coordinator Ashley Eccles at (847) 658-5676 or email communityrelations@lith.org.