Sheriff Lutz talks active shooter training after Florida school shooting

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- There have been 18 school shootings since the start of 2018 leaving many people wondering what can be done to better protect students in what should be a safe environment.

Sheriff Matt Lutz believes most schools in the District have security measures in place to keep the public from having open access to the buildings. He said most, if not all, have locked doors with security cameras that can be used to screen an individual before entering the school.

“Would it be more secure to have an actual armed guard right there at the door that way when somebody comes in you look at them, you talk to them, and you get a feel for who they are. You maybe have them open their jacket. You may don’t allow them to carry anything into the school district.”

As far as active shooter training, Lutz said the Sheriff’s Office prepares for these types of situations but said you can never be 100 percent ready. He said the office also teams up with other law enforcement agencies to get simulated real-life experience.

“I know there’s been active shooter training in Muskingum County. The last one that I remember us doing was we did a joint effort with the Zanesville Police Department and Ohio University Zanesville. And they hosted a training there with Fire, EMS, and law enforcement. Each agency had people there and went through some situations and scenarios of active shooter training.”

Yesterday’s shooting has once again prompted a national conversation about school shootings, gun laws, and mental health.