Full Notification

West Covina Police Department holds Active Shooter Readiness Exercise at Plaza West Covina

September 23, 2014

As part of the City of West Covina Police Department continuous effort to prepare for potential threats to the community, the West Covina Police Department will be conducting an “Active Shooter Readiness Exercise” on Sunday, September 28, 2014, starting at 0600 hours. This training will take place at the Plaza West Covina, located at 112 Plaza Drive, West Covina. The training will include a simulated armed assault at the mall during normal business hours. The exercise will assess the capabilities and effectiveness of first responders as they work as a team to quickly locate and stop an armed suspect. The second phase of this scenario will incorporate tactical personnel (SWAT) who will respond to a barricaded suspect holding a hostage. These scenarios will integrate personnel from Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Air 5, West Covina Police Department SWAT & Robotics Teams and responding allied agencies.

The newly acquired WCPD Mobile Command Post (MCP) and Rescue Vehicle (RV-1) will be on hand for these exercises. The training exercise will include various local, county and state enforcement agencies which include: West Covina PD, Covina PD, Irwindale PD, Baldwin Park PD, the California Highway Patrol, LASD Air 5, LASD Tactical Medics, West Covina Fire Department and the Plaza West Covina Security. "Our management staff, security teams and retailers take these training scenarios very seriously,” said Allison Mack, Plaza West Covina's general manager. "We understand the need for readiness and these scheduled exercises led by our law enforcement partners help prepare for potential community emergencies. Thank you to everyone for their patience during this event." “We are pleased to see our Police Department working closely with agencies in the San Gabriel Valley to improve public safety on a regional scale,” said West Covina Mayor Steve Herfert.

The training event will conclude by 1000 hours and will not interfere with the Plaza West Covina’s normal business hours. Members of the media are invited to attend. Media Parking: Available along the west side of Sears along the gated perimeter near the Crazy Horse.

Media Staging area: Northwest parking area between Sears and Crazy Horse Media Filming area: North of the main Plaza entrance near Red Robin Restaurant

Road Closure: Garvey Avenue South (roadway along the north side of the Plaza West Covina) between West Covina Parkway and Vincent Avenue will be closed to through traffic between 0500 hours and 1000 hours.

Media PIO Contact: Rudy Lopez @ 626 523-4031 ([email protected]) Ed Flores @ 626 533-9563 ([email protected])