PAWLEY’S ISLAND, SC (WBTW) – A two-day event focusing on safety and security in churches as well as active shooter preparation was held this week in Pawley’s Island.
Tom Gillan taught the course and has a long history in law enforcement. He’s currently the Director of the National Institute for Human Trafficking Research and Training and created this course after the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
“We cover everything from burglary to robbery to embezzlement in churches. But we also look at the violent activities that go on,” said Gillan.
The participants were from local churches, schools and law enforcement groups. Many said they never thought something like this would happen so close to home.
“You always think something like that is going to happen elsewhere,” said Jonathan Angner. However, after the Charleston shooting, he know we wanted to be prepared. “It was an eye-opener and it can happen here.”
Another participant, Tony Cerone, said that shooting hit close to home.
“It’s very difficult to digest something like that,” said Cerone. “To think that the most safest place that we can possibly think of, other than home, would be our church.”
Cerone said he will present ideas he learned at the training course to those who work at Pawley’s Island Presbyterian Church.
“Hopefully we’re going to put something together that’s going to enable us to be prepared,” added Cerone.
The course is run through Training Force USA. An event will be held on August 31 in North Myrtle Beach. You can find more information and sign up here.