Seniors enjoy early Thanksgiving with a side of safety

The Stanhope Borough Senior Citizens club met on Thursday, Nov 21, for Thanksgiving feast and a visit from Sgt. Erich Olsen of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department. Olsen, a veteran officer in the department’s corrections division, presented the membership with a program on active shooter incidents and survival response.

“If we look at the timeline of emergency drills,” Olsen said, “We’ve moved from the time of air raid sirens. When I was a kid at the shore, we had hurricane drills. Now we have lockdown and shelter-in-place drills. These concerns are alive. They’re here, every day and everywhere.”

Olsen immediately provided an eye-opener for the club, saying he’d done an assessment of the building, American Legion Post 278, when he’d arrived.

“You know what I saw? I saw this,” he said, banging on the side door of the banquet hall. “I saw people hearing a banging on this door, and walking over and just opening it. You don’t know who’s on the other side, but there are windows right here. Look out a window before you open the door. Know who’s knocking.”

Olsen explained that no matter one’s age or physical condition, it’s important to adopt a survival mindset when faced with a threat such as an active shooter.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” the sergeant said, “Know your physical address, know where the entrances and exits are, and be mindful of the resources around you. Anything can be a weapon of distraction. Throw a cup of hot coffee, throw your canes, throw a stapler from a desk. Buy yourself time to get out of a dangerous situation.”

Using the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on active shooter scenarios, Olsen walked the seniors club through the principles of run-hide-fight.

“If you can get out, get out,” Olsen said, “but if you can’t scramble and take cover. Flip a table, find a closet, whatever you can do to shield yourself.”

No matter what the situation, Olsen impressed that it’s vital to not take on a victim mentality. He also went over what to do when contacting law enforcement and what to expect when first responders arrive.

“You need to know your exact location. Tell 911 the number of people affected, and any known injuries,” he said, “And try to describe the shooter or shooters if you can. And when law enforcement arrives, be aware they don’t yet know who’s a victim and who’s a participant. Follow all commands, show them your empty hands in the air, and don’t make sudden movements.”

Olsen urged the seniors to take precautions and be vigilant during their gatherings.

“If you see something that seems off,” he said, “it’s probably off. Be observant of strange cars or people loitering.”

The takeaway for the members was a message of survival.

“If you find yourself in an active shooter situation,” Olsen said, “you tell yourself, ’I’m going home tonight.’”

The Stanhope Borough Senior Citizens club is always looking for new friends. Membership is open to all residents 55 and older in Stanhope and neighboring communities. The club meets the 4th Thursday of every month except August and December at American Legion Post 278, 119 Rt. 183, Stanhope. The next regularly scheduled gathering will be Thursday, Jan 23, 2020. Meetings begin at 11 a.m. with social hour, followed by business and a program at noon. Bingo is played after the conclusion of business. Membership dues are $15 per person annually, and guests are always welcome. For more information or to join, call club president Ann L. DeJongh at (973) 691-6356.