After the death toll rose from two mass shootings over the weekend, concerns at the local level for safety at public events and other places where people gather in large numbers are not being overlooked.

With Cullman’s growing event scene, festivals from Rock the South to the Strawberry Festival as well county offerings such as the July 4 celebration at Smith Lake, brings thousands of people together at one time.

But these events also come with careful planning between the festival organizers and law enforcement officials and other emergency responders.

“We meet our police department before every event and annually for reviews and planning. We have great leadership in our law enforcement community and they take time to evaluate and plan for all we do,” said Nathan Anderson, director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism.

With Cullman having established an entertainment district along First Avenue, police have a familiar area for planning for most events.

“It’s too our advantage to be close to the police department and fire department,” Anderson said. “We think it’s good, too, that this is an area along our entertainment district that we use frequently.”

Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper officers in his department review each mass shooting for learning purposes going forward into local events.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to study these situations, but we’re always looking for ways to improve safety and how to respond if something were to happen,” Culpepper said. “We’re always going to plan for the worse and hope for the best.”

Culpepper noted that in the Ohio shooting over the weekend, police responded in less than a minute. But in those seconds that ticked by, the shooter killed nine people and wounded 20 others.

“The police were close by and did their job quickly, but when a shooter has a weapon like that the damage can the horrific, as in this case,” Culpepper said. “You cannot say that all situation can be absolutely prevented.”

But law enforcement officials are looking for more advantages in detecting would-be or potential shooters. Culpepper said protecting an individual’s rights remains important, but finding effective ways to intervene or track potential problems is important going forward.

He said a recent account out of state of an employee at a Walmart overhearing a customer talking about his hatred for a certain university, while purchasing large amounts of ammunition, was reported to police. Upon investigation, police found that the person was buying large amounts of ammunition from various stores. Police felt they prevented a potential mass shooting because of that one tip from a clerk.

“There is not just one answer. We’re needing several things that together could be more help in trying to detect someone who may be building up to becoming a mass shooter, whether it’s tracking ammunition purchases to serious mental health problems or hate activities,” Culpepper said. “We have some who want to do away with pistol permits for concealed carry, but that’s just one tool that at least lets law enforcement evaluate whether that should be issued.”

Many area churches also call on the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office for training and plans to secure worship services. Several church shootings have occurred nationally and many places of worship have instituted safety and response plans.

Schools and some businesses have also been through active-shooter training and refresh those sessions with local law enforcement.

 

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.