With a lot of media attention about the Antioch movie theater and Chattanooga military base attacks this year, the Senior and Law Enforcement Together Council has organized a free public seminar including guest Jerry Stout, regional adviser with the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security.
Stout, who has recently visited many Tennessee cities with this message, will talk about the importance of reporting suspicious activity and about being more aware of surroundings. Stout will also provide the public with information about how to identify people who may be plotting an attack.
“The primary purpose for these events is to raise the level of awareness,” Stout said. “We want citizens to start thinking about what they would do if ever in that situation.”
Stout, who is set to speak at 8:50 a.m., has been very active with public training and information events like this in cities around the state.
Stout’s presentation is one of eight total courses taught to the public through the Office of Homeland Security.
“We’ve been doing these for eight years,” Stout said. “A lot of people don’t know about this program and all of our programs are free.”
Stouts has always reached out to any civic organizations interested in hosting any of his department’s presentations.
The SALT Council also welcomes Dale Blevins, with Carter County 911, at 9:35 a.m. and Rene Kiplinger, with the All American Handgun School, at 10 a.m.
A question and answer session and door prize drawing will be held at 10:45 a.m. A free breakfast will be provided by Chick-fil-a at 8:30 a.m.
Sponsors for the event include Visiting Angels, Home Instead Senior Care, Courtyard Senior Living, BlueCross Blue Shield of TN, Elizabethton Senior Citizens Center, Health and Resource of Tri-Cities, Chick-fil-a, Shoe Sensation and the Elizabethton Police Department.
The event is set for Aug. 11 and will be held at the Elizabethton Senior Center.