Brian Hamacher

Davie Police Captain Gives Active Shooter Tips

When seconds count, law enforcement wants to make sure you're aware of what to do if you ever find yourself in the middle of an active shooter scenario.

It's no longer just a scene from an action movie. Tragically, it's become reality in America and around the world with countless people injured and killed in senseless shootings.

That's why an initiative funded by the Department of Homeland Security is giving civilians the basic skills to stay alive.

Capt. Dale Engle with the Davie Police Department says be aware of your surroundings.

There are also some things that make a difference. First, if possible, get out, run as fast as you can. And when you're in a safe zone, call 911. But if you can't get out, find a place to hide.

"You need to try to get into a place where you can harden your location and do whatever you can to barricade entry into that location," Engle said.

As a last resort, if your life is at risk, fight.

"You need to use whatever weapon of opportunity presents itself, it could be a pen, a pair of scissors, anything to eliminate the threat. It's a mindset the public needs to get in to," Engle said.

Until police arrive on scene, your plan of action can make a difference.

"If they're confronted with something they're going to have to make a decision that that they're not ready to make and that's gonna take a lot of change in our thought process," Engle said.

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