County officials explain
how to deal with shooter
MAYFIELD - In the aftermath of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, veteran police officer and Lackawanna County SWAT team commander Jim Decker understands schools are where the public's attention is fixed.
But he also knows a shooting can happen anywhere. So he and county SWAT psychologist and negotiator Jeanne Rosencrance gave a presentation at the Mayfield Crime Watch meeting Wednesday to about two dozen audience members about what to do in a situation where there is a gunman bent on killing.
He suggested people try and evacuate, have an escape route in mind, help others and don't worry about your belongings. He also urged residents to keep their hands visible for officers and to follow all of their instructions.
If evacuation is not an option, hide. Look for difficult-to-see spots using cover rather than concealment, he said. Cover will protect from gunfire, concealment will not.
"I would rather hide behind that brick wall than that curtain," Officer Decker said, motioning to the off-white bricks and faded red drapes of the center's stage curtain.
Try to barricade the door if objects in the room you are in allow you to do so, Officer Decker said.
"What you're doing is stalling for time," Mrs. Rosencrance added.
"Time to them is important," Officer Decker said. "They don't have much time, they know they have to get this done quickly."
Mayfield Police Chief Joseph Perechinsky's teenage son, Joe Perechinsky, said that he attended Wednesday's meeting simply to become better informed, particularly with schools.
"People need to be aware of what's going on," he said.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter