Active marksmanship training in Alton, Missouri.

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WEST PLAINS, Mo. (KY3) – The hallways and classrooms at Alton High School are quiet now, but school is starting in a few weeks. When it does, local law enforcement wants to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

“I hate that the world and society in general have come to this point where we need this type of training,” Oregon County Sheriff Eric King said, “and that we are at the point that violence is so prevalent in the world that teachers and we have to train like this.

According to Mark Scates, an instructor in this week’s training, there have been 300 mass shootings since the Columbine tragedy in 1999, in which 12 students and a teacher were killed. “We know the majority of these active attacks don’t happen in schools,” Scates said. “They happen in industry, they happen in business, but that’s what gets our full attention as parents, grandparents, families – those events where children are attacked are obviously the worst of the worst. . “

Officers from Oregon, Ozark and Howell counties, as well as some from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Conservation Department, participate in active sniper training, conducted by a group based at the University of the Texas, called ALERRT, which stands for Advance Law. Training in rapid response to law enforcement.

“They have a facility in Texas and a training site,” Scates said, “and the instructors are constantly being made aware of new things that have evolved based on the active attacks that have occurred in the United States.”

Jacob Hamby is in training at the Howell County Sheriff’s Office. He is happy to have taken this training at the start of his career. “I just hope I have a few tools to put in my toolbox,” Hamby said. “Gain experience under my belt and get used to working with people I don’t know. “

Instructor Scates said, “I don’t want everyone to worry about that stuff, because that’s what we do. And this type of training makes sure that other people take care of our children.

Training here in Alton ends Thursday July 1, but ALERRT does this type of training across the country. For more information, visit ALERRT.org.

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