Suffolk County Movie Theater Owners Learn How To Prevent Aurora-Style Attack

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County Police Department is holding a daylong seminar to teach movie theater owners and managers on how to react during an active shooter event.

Tuesday's seminar comes in the wake of last month's shooting that left 12 people dead at an Aurora, Colo. movie theater during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

Police Inspector Stewart Cameron said active shooters have become more complex and sophisticated.

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"They're now using small arms, they're using diversionary tactics, they're using explosives, they're blocking entrances and exits," Cameron said.

The seminar provides a look at the history of mass shootings as well as the police department's preparedness and response to active shooting events.

"These types of events can occur anywhere, at any time, at any venue," Cameron said. "Active shooters have specifically chosen venues that are population-rich and limit people's movements."

Theater owners and managers are also being trained on what to do to address an active shooter situation as well as tips to prevent one from occurring.

"A lot of people will invariably in an emergency try to evacuate out the same door that they came into because that's the only door that they're familiar with," Cameron said. "Whenever I take my family to a venue, I identify alternative exits in case the entrance I came through is blocked."

Cameron said being aware of your surroundings and identifying alternative exits is a good practice in both active shooter situations and fires.

John Chicherio, of the Huntington Arts Council, said the daylong seminar is an eye opener.

"Part of it is thinking ahead if something should happen, what do you do?" Chicherio said. "People have to be aware and be careful and think about what they can do. You don't want to be immobilized by fear."