First Thursday Active Shooter Presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2018

St. Helens, Ore. – The St. Helens Police Department invites the community to attend an active shooter presentation at the police department’s monthly First Thursday community meeting. The meeting will be held in the Columbia Center Auditorium, 375 S. 18th Street, on Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m.

Detective Dustin King will share important tips on what people should do if they find themselves in the middle of an active shooter situation. The presentation is based on the Department of Homeland Security’s “RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.” program and will include a short video. There will be an opportunity for discussion and for attendees to ask questions after the presentation.

Detective King has 13 years of law enforcement experience and is a certified basic tactical medical instructor through the Department of Homeland Security, certified Oregon EMT Basic, and holds a certification from the Oregon Tactical Officers Association in Basic SWAT.

First Thursday is a monthly community meeting with the St. Helens Police Department held on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. A new topic is presented at each meeting by a police officer or police staff related to community safety, crime prevention, police services, or seasonal-specific safety information. After a brief presentation, participants have the opportunity to ask St. Helens officers questions, find out what’s happening in St. Helens neighborhoods, and discuss any topics of concern with fellow community members and police.

The goal of First Thursday is to bring the St. Helens community and local law enforcement together once a month for meaningful conversation about the community. The meetings are an opportunity to make connections in the community, not just between police officers and residents, but also between neighbor and neighbor.

The vision of the St. Helens Police Department is to provide professional police services that will secure public trust and keep our neighborhoods safe and free of crime. Our mission is to work with all citizens to make our city a place where people live safely and to promote individual responsibility and community commitment. 

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For further information regarding the St. Helens Police Department’s First Thursday program, please contact Communications Officer Crystal Farnsworth at crystalf@ci.st-helens.or.us or 503-366-8215.