‘You can’t change yesterday, but you can change tomorrow’

Police and local organizations are increasing security at upcoming events in light of the mass shooting in San Bernardino.

Palm Springs police said there is no specific threat. However, many in the Valley are concerned with the tragedy happening so close.

Local security expert Jeff Kaye says businesses and organizations need to seriously consider creating an active shooter emergency plan. He said, “You can’t yesterday, but we can change tomorrow.”

From what News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 has learned, the Inland Regional Center didn’t lack in security.

“It’s a highly secured facility in those two buildings. They have bulletproof glass. The lobby you must be buzzed in, you can’t walk anywhere in the campus without being escorted except for the conference center,” said Desert Arc President Richard Balocco, who is familiar with the campus.

The conference center is where the two shooters carried out their attack.

“It’s hard, especially during the holiday season, to secure every door in an open public event. It is much easier to secure your doors at a business, a hospital,” said Kaye.

In the desert, there are many similar banquet halls and this is the season for holiday events. So what, if anything, can you do to protect yourself?

Kaye, who is the director of safety and security at Desert Sand Unified School District, said people attending events need to know their surroundings.

“Just like when you walk on an airliner, look where the exits are. It’s nothing to be paranoid about. We can’t stop living our lives, especially during the holiday seasons, during the happy times, but you should always know where your fire exits are, especially in a movie theater in a public building,” said Kaye.

“I think it’s a new reality,” said Balocco.

Desert Arc, a non-profit who works with the Inland Regional Center, is now reviewing its own safety procedures.

“We are looking at and will be reviewing some practice drills,” said Balocco.

One way to learn and practice is by watching a Los Angeles County Sheriff Department training video. It shows active-shooter scenarios and how to respond. For example, when to run for an exit, hide or the last resort, fight. A warning: The video is graphic.

Creating a plan, practicing the plan and making security upgrades are things Kaye said businesses and organizations can and should do now.

“You can’t eliminate all risk, but you can eliminate all vulnerabilities,” said Kaye.

Being proactive also plays a big role. Palm Springs Police is adding security to upcoming events, and so is Desert Arc.

“We increase our personnel, we increase our vigilance at these events, we also rely on mainly the citizens. If they see anything suspicious, make sure to call us,” said Lt. Mike Kovaleff, Palm Springs Police.

“I think people are going to have to be much more conscientious about security, and they need to be aware of the people around them,” said Balocco.

View the training video (Caution, the video may be too graphic for some viewers)

For more resources on how to create an action plan for your business or organization,click here.