Avalon Sheriff’s Station hosts town hall on active threat/active shooter events
The commander of the Avalon Sheriff’s Station this week advised businesses to prepare for an “active threat event,” also known as an active shooter event.
Capt. Joe Badali advised the public to commit to survival during a Tuesday, May 32, Public Safety Awareness Town Hall meeting.
Avalon isn’t unique in responding to events in such places as Uvalde, Texas. In Los Alamitos, for one example, local police increased patrols in the vicinity of local schools.
Capt. Badali and his “right hand man,” Sgt. Grayson Kline took turns giving the presentation that took up the bulk of the meeting.
Badali pointed out that the public thinks of school shootings when they think of active threats, such events can also take place at work or in government buildings.
He defined an active threat event as a criminal who is trying or actively killing people. He said an active threat can occur anywhere large groups of people congregate. He said the goal appears to be mass murder rather than a robbery or kidnapping.
He said any weapon may be used, such as guns, knives and explosives.
According to Badali, the handgun—rather than the so-called “assault rifle”—is the primary weapon in mass killings.
One of the characteristics of an offender, according to Badali, is that they intend to kill as many people as possible.
Sgt. Kline addressed the law enforcement response. “In a perfect world, five people would go in,” Kline said.
He assured the public that the Avalon Sheriff’s Station would not wait to go in, as reportedly happened in Uvalde, Texas.
“My main focus is to reassure you guys that we will be there,” Kline said.
He described behavior characteristics that might indicate a potential problem, such as acquiring a lot of weapons when that would be out of character, or raising personal grievances on social media.
Kline said that once things start to get out of “the norm,” maybe it is time we should pay attention.
Kline said the public should be practicing on their own.
Kline suggested using a code word in the workplace when a situation seems suspicious, so that co-workers know they should contact law enforcement but without revealing their concerns to the person in question.
Discussing communications among emergency personnel in Avalon, he said they don’t use police terms. He said in emergency situations, responders will speak with each other in plain English.
Kline said the goal is to minimize loss of life.
“A quick response is how you eliminate a threat and prevent loss of live,” he said. “Time is everything.”
He said it was important for businesses to plan.
Capt. Badali, returning to the podium, described what he called the universal, national model for dealing with an active event:
• Run
“Leave your personal belongings behind,” he said.
He advised the public to keep their hands visible.
He advised against moving the wounded. Moving the wounded could make it worse and the offender might come back to them.
• Hide/defend yourself.
Badali advised silencing your cell phone.
He also advised remaining in place until you hear the “all clear” from law enforcement. There might be another suspect that you don’t know about.
• Fight
“This is a decision you have to make to stay alive,” Badali said.
He advised the public to think in terms of using things at their location as weapons. Suggestions included a laptop, the flag poles in the Council Chambers that had spears on them, a pen, fire extinguishers, and hand sanitizer.
He said the overall objective was to remain committed to surviving.
Badali advised individuals fleeing an active event to keep their fingers open and avoid making quick movements toward deputies.
“Go into an area that is safe for you,” he said.
He also encouraged parents to spot-check their children’s social media.
According to Capt. Badali, during an actual event, someone needs to be monitoring social media and relaying information to law enforcement.
He also advised business to prepare plans and to share those plans with first responders, including blueprints. He advised having equipment stored that can help you in a dangerous situation.
Sgt. Grayson then turned to the subject of gun safety.
Grayson said if you own a gun, it is your responsibility to store and secure it.
He said if your child has access to a weapon, that’s a misdemeanor. If your child has access to a weapon and injures someone, that’s a felony.
“It’s extremely important as parents to keep your weapon secured,” he said.
Capt. Badali said the Avalon Station had acquired free gun locks and would have them at the station—no questions asked.
He also said that if you have an old gun, the station welcomes the surrender of weapons.
“We get a number of those throughout the year,” Badali said.
Two videos of the town hall are available at the city government’s Facebook page.
