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Ohio University Offers Active Shooter Training


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In light of the "possible shooting" on Tuesday to which police responded, here's a look at what OUPD's active shooter training entails. From February:


It could happen anywhere.

That's what Ohio University police emphasized to members of the community last night as they held their latest A.L.I.C.E. training program.

A.L.I.C.E., which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Escape, was brought to the university after the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.

OUPD Lt. Eric Hoskinson said teaching people how to respond correctly is vital for their safety.

"Hiding underneath tables comes from bad weather drills from elementary school and we do it naturally because we've been taught do it since we've been in kindergarten," he said. "With an active shooter and an active threat situation, it is something we do not want to see happen because people become static targets that can systematically be shot."

One student participant, Chris Sweet, came all the way from The Ohio State University to particpate in the program.

For her, the subject of an active shooter hits close to home.

"I had a cousin who was in the Chardon school shooting. That was her senior year. So I wanted to get involved and get informed," she said.

Freshman Taylor Julian said recent events in the news motivated her to attend the training.

Despite never feeling afraid on campus, Julian says she encourages everyone to attend a training if possible.

"It's just something that could happen at anytime, anywhere and I just feel better knowing what do," she said, "I would really recommend it for anyone."

The training might also be found in local schools.

For more information about A.L.I.C.E., visit OUPD's website.