Proactive Safety For Hallandale Beach

I was honored to attend a special workshop between our Police Department, our Fire Department personnel and the security staff and management team of Beach Club. Their property managers are very proactive. They requested to have an active shooter training. After discussing with them I encouraged them to include EMS and fire personnel.

I, along with Vice Mayor Lazarow a few years back did an active shooter training along with our Police Department at our High School. Since the Parkland shooting, Law Enforcement reevaluated their coordination with the schools response and perform trainings. I learned from the mayor of Portland and that incident but sadly due to the delayed response many of the deaths were due in injuries and bleeding. That is why I encouraged a dual type of training.

Some of the rules since the Parkland event have changed. First and foremost the best means to survival is staying calm and keeping your head. The next response should always be to find the closest exit and escape. Exits can be in front of you or behind also ensure that you remain as silent as possible and silence your phones immediately. If you’re able dial 911 but do not talk as to not give up your location.

Exit to a secure place. Rather than everybody to one spot as long as they’re secure and out of sight strategically allows a better distraction and disorientation to the shooter. If they cannot leave and a shooter gets in people are encouraged to fight.

The scenes counterintuitive but typically people and active shooters with movement give better chances of survival. They suggest finding any type of weapon at your disposal to fight with.

During the incident if you can’t escape you need to report to police personnel obviously you need to identify yourself and always approach them with your hands up.

As much as possible, how many shooters, what they wore and ironically the biggest thing is their shoes. If a shooter decides to leave many times they can change their appearance through clothing but typically will not change their shoes.

Not what if you’re in this incident. And someone is injured. Beach Club in addition to having automatic AEDs have stopped the bleed kit and obviously first aid kits. Every building should have these items.

Our Police Department did an amazing job with their presentation. EMS also shared first aid for heart attack as well as choking. I highly recommend condominiums to reach out and try to set up this type of training. Since COVID-19 and with many changes to Condominium Laws and costs, I witness some condominiums cutting back on their professional security. And in my opinion this is extremely pennywise and foolish.

Even with the best response times our Police cannot get to a location within five minutes depending on the time of day. Obviously during rush-hour this could be eight minutes. These minutes matter. Even if you do not have professional security you should encourage your Board of Directors and your management to discuss your safety within the buildings.

We take for granted often too about fire in buildings. Thankfully there are not too many incidents and with the new ELSS Requirement for Sprinklers and Upgraded Fire Systems can save lives. But still response and understanding exits and security in your building and where to go and not where to go during evacuation is critical. Many of our seniors are more disabled people and cannot use elevators the best recommendation is to stay in your stairwell. That is why they’re all secured with fire doors. Make sure if you’re leaving the building that you report to a central location. This location will assure that people are accounted for.

I want to thank the leadership at Beach Club, Nathaniel Morciego: Property Manager, Gilbert Samsin Hylton, Director of Security and Evan Spivack: Marquis Regional Director. I like to call especially with buildings with over 1,000 units it’s like running a little city. Our City is here to help and certainly will come out and share this valuable knowledge.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!