
Less than a year after a gunman barricaded himself in an auto shop near the Williamsburg city line, the Williamsburg Police Department is offering an active shooter safety course.
From 7-9 p.m. on Monday, citizens can come to the Stryker Center to learn more about response and safety during an active shooter attack, a release from the department said.
The course will cover tactics to help victims get out of active shooter situations alive.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, there is no way to predict how a victim will react during an attack, but having background information could ensure safer decision-making.
The three options for victims of an active shooter situation are: hide, run, and fight. These three are the best tactics for surviving an attack, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Hiding is the first and usually best option because it can keep a person safely out of the way. But when there is no place to hide, the next option is to run from the area of danger to a safer location.
Fighting an active shooter is the last option and deemed for use only if necessary.
The Stryker Center is located at 412 N Boundary St.
The course is free of charge to Williamsburg residents and registration is required. To register call 757-259-7213 or email cericsso@williamsburgva.gov.