Ramapo Police Department to Launch New Year of Security Training

by M. C Millman

The Ramapo Police Department plans to increase active shooter training for officers as well as for the general public during the upcoming year.

Sergeant Bassett, Ramapo Police Department training coordinator,  who runs the active and live training detail, spoke with Rockland Daily regarding the ongoing active shooter training programs and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events C.R.A.S.E. cooperative trainings that took place last year.

C.R.A.S.E. teaches the public to respond to an active shooter by following the "Avoid, Deny, Defend" model. The lessons are given over by Ramapo Police officers utilizing a PowerPoint presentation that isn't building-specific but does teach appropriate response measures for an active shooter scenario. 

"Last year, we did ten active shooter training events for the civilian population over the year," says Sergeant Bassett. "The training was conducted at four synagogues as well as at an East Ramapo Central School District location, two at a Suffern school district location, two at Ramapo Central schools, and one at Lecroy, a private business in Chestnut Ridge. 

Active shooter trainings include physical, hands-on training provided over two months time for police officers.

"Yeshiva of Spring Valley was extremely accommodating," says the Sergeant, "and very good about giving us time in their building as was the  ERCSD and Suffern."

Evergreen shopping center held active shooter training for the police department as well. 

"When we hold the training, we didn't want to alarm the public," says Sergeant Bassett. "With Evergreen, we scheduled the training for the early morning at 6 a.m. on May 9 to keep it lowkey and so as not to disrupt businesses. I went into every store a few days before to let them know what was happening. The day of the active training, we closed the entire parking lot to control traffic and put up signboards letting people know it was  an exercise." 

As for the coming year and what it holds for the Ramapo, Sergeant Bassett says, "We will definitely do more active shooter trainings and will continue along the same vein as before, picking different venues and locations so the officers can practice in a variety of structures, which is what we do every year. We have seen a bigger need since COVID as everything has picked up exponentially now that people are back in schools, synagogues, and shopping centers. We have ramped up the training in response to what's going on."

Any shul, organization, or business that would like to receive C.R.A.S.E. training for their employees or congregants can reach out to the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.

Photo Credit: Town of Ramapo Police Department