For Immediate Release

Friday, March 30, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Methuen Police Department Holds Active Shooter Training at Local Churches

METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon announce that the Methuen Police Department hosted active shooter response trainings at two local churches earlier this month.

Methuen Police Lt. Joseph Aiello and Officer David Gardner conducted an ALICE and active shooter training for church members and staff at St. Monica’s Parish on Monday, March 19 and at St. Lucy’s Parish on Saturday, March 24.

During the training session, Methuen Police showed a video from the Department of Homeland Security called “Run, Hide, Fight,” which teaches viewers methods of surviving an active shooter situation. Officers followed the video with a PowerPoint presentation on an introduction to the ALICE — Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate — approach to active shooters and other violent incidents, and concluded with a question and answer session.

“I am proud of the Methuen Police Department for doing everything they can to continue keeping our residents safe by providing education and resources like these programs,” Mayor Jajuga said.

All of the Methuen Police School Resource Officers, as well as Lt. Aiello and Chief Solomon, are certified as ALICE instructors. The ALICE training has been taught in all Methuen public and private schools and Methuen Police continue to provide ongoing training and drills for students in preschool through grade 12.

“While we hope that they will never have to fall back on this training, it’s extremely important that we are educating our residents about what to do during an active shooter event or any assaultive situation,” Chief Solomon said. “Our number one priority is to keep our community safe and we hope that everyone will be that much safer by continuing to hold these programs for adults and students alike.”

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