Another shooting made the headlines this week. Three women were killed and nine injured Tuesday night when a gunman entered an exercise class at a Pennsylvania fitness center and opened fire. And this, just weeks after Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in the foyer of his own church in Wichita earlier this summer.
These familiar stories may not shock us as they once did, but they are devastating nonetheless. From schoolyards and university campuses to places of worship and fitness facilities, the places we often feel the safest seem more vulnerable than ever before.
In fact, a local congregation was a target in 1988 when a 29-year-old man entered Calvary Baptist Church at 702 Arundel St. and opened fire on the congregation. Tom DeWeese of Americus died at the church of a gunshot wound to the heart. Four others were hospitalized with injuries, and two more managed to dodge the bullets Cheun-Phon Ji sprayed into the church sanctuary.
At the time, it scared us.
And we asked “why?” over and over again.
Although asking those questions is a natural and necessary reaction to such senseless tragedies, taking proactive steps to train and prepare the community for these kinds of crises is just smart.
It’s reassuring to know that local authorities are doing just that.
On Aug. 18, the Emporia Police Department in conjunction with Midwest Police Consultants will hold a training session, “Responding to Church Crisis.” The training is geared toward those who work in churches or law enforcement and will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Emporia Police Department.
To sign up for the training session, call Robin Gunkle at the Emporia Police Department, 343-4211, or e-mail rgunkle@emporia-kansas.gov. Or, for more information, call Lt. John Koelsch, 343-4200.
Let’s keep Emporia a safe place to live, play, work and worship.
Ashley Knecht Walker
Projects Editor
madpoet (anonymous) says...
What a sad commentary on our society that we need classes like that. I'm glad they're doing it, but what a shame it's necessary.
August 7, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )