Wednesday
September 18, 2024 
When members of the Bucks County Peace Center held an “Active Shooter Prevention and Response Strategies” forum this month, little did they know how timely the talk would be.
On Saturday, one such “active shooter” attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, killing an innocent rally attendee in the process and injuring two others in Butler, Pa. The 20-year-old shooter was killed by Secret Service.
The Peace Center hosted the discussion at Pennsbury High School West to help community members learn to spot someone who needs emotional help before such a tragedy takes place.
Falls Police Chief Nelson Whitney shared ways to talk someone out of violence, whether the person is a bullied student, an aggravated adult or someone who just needs a shoulder to cry on.
Following Saturday’s tragedy in Western Pennsylvania, Whitney stressed the need for community involvement.
“The assassination attempt this past weekend is a chilling reminder that there are people out there who have convinced themselves that violence is an acceptable way of resolving the grievances that they have,” Whitney said in an email Monday. “We all need to become familiar with the warning signs...and we all need to report these observations to the authorities without delay. It is only through this kind of community vigilance that we can start to turn the tide and reduce the number of these tragic acts of violence.”
Peace Center Executive Director Danny Thomas said he conceived the presentation after a tragic incident in Falls Township in March in which a young man was charged in the death of his ex-girlfriend, as well as his stepmother and younger sister, who was a Pennsbury student.
Whitney was joined at the school in Fairless Hills by Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and by Cara Gadzinski, a Bucks County co-responder with the Falls police, one of several social workers now collaborating with county police departments to resolve disputes before they become violent.
Gadzinski said 21 of the 39 Bucks County police departments now have co-responders and three more will be coming on duty at the end of the month.
Whitney’s presentation, called “Pathways to Violence,” focused on seeing the symptoms that someone could become an active shooter, helping them and, potentially, preventing others from getting hurt or killed.
Whitney pointed out that while anyone can commit an act of violence, “certain behaviors” can show that a person could be prone to an active-shooter response. These include development of a grievance where the person “feels unjustly treated or wronged,” followed by ideations about violence or previous such incidents, as well as research, planning and preparation, and the acquisition of weapons and tactical gear. “Sudden withdrawal” from normal life functions or changes in dress and hygiene are also of concern. And boundary probing near a target can be a warning sign before a violent act could take place.
Whitney said such incidents in schools and businesses have risen dramatically in recent years. He said more widespread use of information on the Internet could be a contributing factor.
The chief said that police in Bucks County work together and if anyone needs help, they are willing to help them. He also suggested that children or teens who suspect a friend could be struggling emotionally should turn to a “trusted adult in their community.”
The chief then shared specific advice for emergency situations in classrooms or businesses. It’s always best to run away as soon as possible if there is a dangerous situation, he said, and to then call 911. Lock doors before hiding if escape is not possible and stay away from portions of a room visible from a door window.
Several people raised questions about how to protect houses of worship, how to help those struggling with addiction, whether parents can be charged for children’s violence — something the police chief said may become more common if they don’t supervise their children — and how to help substitute teachers protect themselves and their students when they may not be familiar with emergency or classroom-locking procedures in schools to which they are assigned.
Parents with guns in their homes have to keep them under lock.
“You have to be a responsible gun owner,” the police chief said.
Holland resident Margie Greenspan, a member of the Peace Center staff, said anyone who feels bullied — child or adult — can contact the center for support, free of charge.
Joan Dolan, of Newtown Township, appreciated the program being prevention-based and helping communities connect with law enforcement officials.
“I like this approach,” she said.
“I think it’s an excellent presentation,” added Falls resident Joan Graves.
The Peace Center plans similar programs for Central and Upper Bucks in the fall, Thomas said.
Whitney said he also would share the presentation, which was reviewed by representatives of the FBI, businesses and community groups. For more information, contact the Peace Center, or Whitney at n.whitney@fallstwppd.com.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.