An organization in Greene County is hosting a special event to prepare community members for one of the worst case scenarios. 

Central Christian Church in Jefferson Reverend Jay Alexander and the Greene County Clergy Association is sponsoring a Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event or CRASE training on Monday, July 25th from 7-8:30pm at Central Christian Church. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio there have been 373 mass shootings, which is defined as four or more people who are either injured or killed from an active shooter, since the beginning of 2022 through June. 

“What I’ve learned is that sometimes churches are targets and that ministers are targets. You might say something, you might be involved in something that people take offense at. The way you take a stand on a particular issue or something like that. So sometimes churches are targets, ministers are targets. So something the minister has to be taken out of the environment, find a door to escape through or something like that. But actively have a plan as to what you’re going to do in case one of these things happen.” 

Reverend Alexander says Monday’s program will include an hour-long video with how to develop a safety plan, followed by an informal discussion with Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse. No pre-registration is necessary and refreshments will be provided.