Manitowoc’s Police Chief tells residents that his department is always prepared for something tragic like a school shooting.
Those were Police Chief Nick Reimer’s comments after a school shooting in Madison at Abundant Life Christian School.
An issue like this involves training; Reimer says his department does it often.
“Several times during the year we are prepared if something like this would happen,” he stated. “Again, we don’t want it to happen, and I think it’s really important for teachers, students, parents to be aware. You see something you say something and let it be known before this happens.”
Reimer says if someone is showing signs, it’s better to say something because most of the time it is preventable.
He says his department says students have, in some ways, prevented things from happening in the past.
He says over the years, students have told adults if a weapon was brought into a school.
“I feel like our community does a good job with that, but ultimately, I think we need to keep talking about it,” he explained. “We need to keep the message out there that it’s okay to say ‘hey, I think this person needs help’ or ‘I think this person has a gun.’ Because even if it turns out to be nothing, that’s okay too.”
Reimer also extended his thoughts and prayers to the victims, families, and first responders who had to deal with such a tragic event in Madison.
The shooter took her own life after she shot and killed a teacher and student and wounded six others.
Other victims are either fighting for their lives in a hospital or have been released.
