SHERIFF MULLER REINFORCES THE CONCEPT OF RUN, HIDE & FIGHT

I would like to advise our citizens on some key steps that individuals can take if they encounter an active shooter situation. Providing that people know the options to consider should such an event happen here, these steps may be useful and assist in saving lives.

As the Sheriff of Adams County, I want to provide them with information on what to do if they should ever find themselves in that kind of situation,” events such as happened in Aurora, Colorado and elsewhere are random and unpredictable. They can and have happened anywhere. The motives of the shooters are varied and different. The warning signs may vary. That said, there are three (3) actions that our citizens can take that could increase chances of safely surviving such an event.  

1. RUN. If a safe path from the event is available, always try and escape or evacuate even if others insist on staying.

• Encourage others to leave with you but don’t let the indecision of others slow down your own effort to escape.
• Once you are out of the line of fire, try to prevent others from walking into the danger zone. Call 9-1-1. However, if you can’t get out safely

2. HIDE. Seek a find a place of concealment.

• When hiding turn out lights
• Remember to lock doors and
• Silence your ringer and vibration mode on your cell phone as that can give away your position.

3. FIGHT. As a last resort only, either working together or alone, act with aggression; use improvised weapons and fight. 

While these events occur randomly, with little to no warning or notice, when examined after the fact, there is usually something a person has seen, observed or noticed about the behavior of the shooter that is out of the norm for that person’s behavior or, for that matter, the behavior of the average person. In other words, family, friends, neighbors and associates have seen something that they deemed to be suspicious. Unfortunately, they rarely notify anyone of their suspicions until after the event occurs and it’s too late.

The public is always encouraged to report suspicious behavior. Keep in mind, the general rule in such situations is that IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Contact this Office, your local law enforcement agency or the nearest law enforcement agency to you.

Sheriff
James W. Muller