Active Shooting Seminar for Cherokee Co. Citizens
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - Citizens are now the people Cherokee County Deputies believe are on the front lines when dealing with an active shooter. More than 100 people made their way into the performing arts center at Reinhardt University Sunday afternoon, to make sure they are prepared if confronted with an active shooter.
"We want to take every precaution we can to avoid this situation, to safe guard our buildings and our schools and our churches so this situation never happens, but then we want our citizens to be informed in case it does happen," said Chief Deputy Joe Perkins with The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
"It seems like every week something new is going on and we feel helpless when you see it and what would I do in that situation," said Mary Sage who attended the active shooter seminar.
Deputies spoke about awareness, knowing where your exits are and if something does not feel right, reporting it right away. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office also addressed what to do in the worst case scenario.
"You may have to defend yourself and if you have to defend yourself, you're going to have to do that like your life depends on it because it does," said Chief Deputy Perkins.
After an overwhelming interest and request from the public, The Cherokee Co. Sheriff's Office pushed up the date for the "Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events" seminar.
"When we heard that this was taking place, we said we need to travel the distance to find out actually what can be done and what we need to do," said Mary Hughes who traveled with her husband from Clayton County to hear what deputies had to say.
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will hold their second active shooter seminar Tuesday, Jan 12 at 6 p.m. at Etowah High School in Woodstock.