CANTON-- SUNY Canton will offer Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training to the extended campus community at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the college's Kingston Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

Instruction will be led by University Police Chief Alan P. Mulkin, who has spearheaded preparedness training on campus. Mulkin will emphasize the tactics “avoid, deny and defend” during the two-hour presentation.

Chief Mulkin said that many actual active shooter events are over before law enforcement arrives. “Civilians must be prepared to take immediate action. We provide effective preplanned response options that can help save lives,” he said.”

Mulkin is the former Village of Canton police chief and became a certified CRASE trainer shortly after he transitioned into his role in higher education. He has offered the training for faculty, staff and students on campus and has opened it to the public after hearing of significant interest from community members.