Preparing for the worst: Free presentation July 20 to focus on safety

The world seems like a scary place sometimes. But individuals can take steps to protect themselves, whether they are driving at night or facing a home intruder.

Community members can learn how at a free presentation at noon on Wednesday, July 20, at Reid Health. Presenter Randy Kolentus, Director of Security at Reid Health, will cover a variety topics and take questions at the end. “Personal safety is something all of us have to think about, and it starts by being aware of your surroundings and using common sense,” he said. “Sometimes we need to break bad habits like leaving the house unlocked during the day or walking alone at night. Or we need to think about how we would defend ourselves against an attacker, whether with something like pepper spray or a personal siren, which can be very effective in scaring someone off.”

All of us play an important role in keeping our communities safe, Kolentus said. “I encourage people to follow the advice of the Department of Homeland Security— ‘see something, say something,’” he explained. “If you notice someone in your neighborhood that you’ve never seen before, you need to watch as that could be a threat. Another indicator of a problem brewing is when someone starts acting strangely or their behavior changes quickly. Police officers really don’t mind getting calls from concerned citizens, regardless of the end result. Community safety has to be a team effort.”

Kolentus also will encourage participants to think about how to respond in the unlikely event they are involved in an “active shooter” event. He recommends following a security protocol called “Run, Hide and Fight.”

• Run: If there is an active escape path, attempt to evacuate.
• Hide: Lock and/or barricade the door or hide behind large objects.
• Fight: As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger, attempt to stop the shooter.

“Nobody likes thinking about the possibility of facing an active shooter, but the decisions we make in those situations may mean the difference between life and death,” Kolentus said.

Kolentus’ presentation will take place in Lingle Hall at Reid Health.