In light of recent school violence, districts across the nation and here in Kern County are reviewing their safety policies. Most practice lockdowns, locking all doors if there's a threat and getting out of sight, often hiding under desks or tables. But, one local company is now offering schools and businesses another layer of protection. It's called A.L.I.C.E.
Videos on YouTube show hypothetical situations of what to do if a gunman enters a school, using A.L.I.C.E. training.
"I think it could lead to more lives being saved," said Roosevelt Scott of Triple Threat Solutions.
Roosevelt Scott was a Bakersfield police officer for 25 years and is now an instructor with Triple Threat Solutions. He is one of two instructors there authorized to teach A.L.I.C.E., an active shooter preparation course, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. It's teaching people at schools and businesses to prepare to do more than lockdown, but fight back and get away.
"It's like the light came on," said Scott of those who had gone through the training. "They said why didn't anyone think of this before, that we can fight back, that we can get away if an opportunity presents itself."
Scott has been proposing A.L.I.C.E. to school districts in the county, including Delano Unified.
"I didn't think it's appropriate," said Linda Hinojose, Health Services Coordinator, Delano Unified School District.
Hinojose says while they are making improvements to school safety, A.L.I.C.E. will not be part of it. She says they will still use their lockdown measures.
"A lot of times they are out of sight under the desk. They have to remain very quiet," said Hinojose. "If you are just going to open up the gates and let the kids run for their own survival, you don't know what the outcome would be."
But Scott, believes lying under a desk shouldn't be the only option, referring to the 2007 Virgina Tech massacre. Student Sueng Cho killed 33 people, including himself.
"Cho practiced by laying targets on the ground. He knew where everyone was going to be," said Scott.
It's a course meant to re-wire what many have only known, to hide, and offering a chance to take a risk.
"A.L.I.C.E. doesn't promise that no one will get hurt. All it does is it offers more options to the people who are under fire," said Scott.
Scott says he understands school budgets and is offering a discount to districts that want to learn the course. And, it's meant for faculty, staff, and adult students at schools, as well as businesses.
For more information on A.L.I.C.E. training, call Triple Threat Solutions at (661) 374-1180.
