Paladin

Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Matt Robinson

Over 50 LBCC students participated in a simulated shooting drill held in Building F at the LAC Wednesday, March 26. The exercise was put together by LBCC risk management services, Long Beach Police and Fire Department.

LBCC student and American Criminal Justice Association member Daniel Suarez said, "I'm going to be here all day. I really want to see how officers react to this situation."

Members of the LBPD, Sheriff's department, and campus police were all present to make sure all events went according to plan. LBCC staff and emergency preparedness committee member Michael Vazquez said, "We go through all the steps to stop the shooter and analyze the different building designs. Our number one goal is to provide safety for as many people as possible."

Sgt. Long of the LBPD gave a briefing and explanation of the events to take place before the drill started. Long said, "This is a monumental event with area colleges. This type of exercise is usually geared just for law enforcement. The reason for these scenarios is to save lives. We will be doing drills all day starting around 10 a.m. Each scenario can last about 8 minutes but should only last about 1 minute."

Long went on to give participants the options to play roles of victims, injured students and witnesses.

As volunteers were getting into position, LPBD officer Ken Turner said, "On this exercise our mentality is that every shot is a murder. This is a seek and kill mission. This type of exercise goes against what we have been taught. There is no perimeter to secure, no time to waste."

As the first run of the exercise started, Lt. Julie Pryor said, "As outside police officers come in, we will take their weapons and give them air pellet guns for the exercise."

After each run of the exercise, the law enforcement officers had a separate debriefing to go over their performance.

LBCC student and Viking reporter Michael Brown was given a chance to role-play as a deputy in some runs of the exercise. Brown said, "Time goes by quickly when you're in the middle of the action. It's a great rush. My heart is still beating a little fast."

Volunteer and LBCC student Jimmy Bonilla said, "My friends and I are members of Aztlan and we thought it would be fun to participate in this. We all volunteered together."

At noon, participants of the exercise were treated to lunch. After the break the drills continued for the remainder of the day.

LBCC criminal justice student Alfonso Roman said,"I'm interested in being a police officer and I want to see be involved in these scenarios."

Risk Services Director Mike Collins said, "It is our responsibility to secure not only our students but also the entire community around the campus. We really want to get the word out that we are ready for any emergency that could happen on campus."

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