Make wishtv.com your home page

Bar owners, managers learn how to handle active shooters

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Bar owners and managers learned a lesson that could help them protect the lives of their staff and customers.

Representatives from eight bars and clubs took IMPD’s active shooter training course Thursday.

It was organized after two managers met with police Monday to discuss ideas to help make their businesses more secure and safe in light of the shooting in Orlando.

“This is a very violent uncomfortable subject we’re going to be talking about,” said Sgt. Steve Hadley as he addressed the room.

Class was in session and it was a topic the students never thought they’d have to learn.

“I’m going to give you some knowledge that should, God forbid you find yourself in this situation, you can apply it and hopefully, hopefully save your life and maybe help others,” Sgt. Hadley said.

“The way he structured it was just good information,” said Ruth Hawkins. She manages Metro Nightclub and attended the training session.

“No actor gets on stage without rehearsing so why would you react to a crisis without rehearsing it first?” she said.

“The group learned the idea of “Run-Hide-Fight” when reacting to a shooter. They also were taught patterns mass shooters have shown such as skipping locked doors and targeting rooms with the most people.

Hawkins said the information will be passed along to her staff.

“We have a book that has all the tornado responses, fire responses, building plan, this is where you go, this is what you do, we’re going to add it to the regular information and just kind of make it a part of our orientation and regular training,” she said.

IMPD Downtown District Commander Chad Knecht felt it was imperative to teach the class as soon as possible rather than weeks after the shooting. He’s confident it’ll make a difference immediately.

“If anyone wants to do ill will at a bar or a tavern in Indianapolis they need to know that we’re prepared for it, we’re ready to respond to it and you should probably go somewhere else,” he said.

Another aspect of the training is teaching the bar workers how to spot suspicious people or a potential shooter before they start firing. Hawkins hasn’t dealt with an armed person before, but she feels her experience behind the bar will help her do just that.

“I may be having a conversation with somebody at the bar but I’m still scanning the room, because the easiest way to prevent having a problem is to notice it before it’s a problem,” she said.

The active shooter class has been taught to schools, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and more.

Commander Knecht said they will continue to expand the program and encourage others to request a chance to take the class.