‘You never know’

May 16, 2008 08:01 am

— ELYSBURG — It was an odd announcement, one Craig Long likely never thought would be made here, especially when they were talking about him.
“There’s a gunman on the bus, and we want him off,” Millville police Chief Ted Stout and commander of the Columbia-Montour SWAT Team told Southern Columbia fifth- and sixth-graders on Thursday.
The “gunman” was Long, the Catawissa area district judge, who was recruited as the “bad guy” for Thursday’s demonstration of an assault on a school bus.
A state police cruiser signaled the start of the exercise by 10 officers. Then a real flash-bang grenade was thrown alongside the Southern bus, which was parked at the stadium.
In the scenario, Long had taken hostage high school students who were heading home on the bus.
Some SWAT, or Special Weapons and Tactics, members, in full gear carrying assault weapons without live ammunition, stormed the bus while others pointed their guns through the bus windows. They then led Long out in handcuffs.
“I was scared,” said Scott Rogers, a junior who was on the bus. Sophomore Nick Diak said, “It was pretty cool.” Also posing as hostages were junior Tony Drain and ninth-grader Tim Benner.
While the teens in the bus spotted what appeared to be a sniper standing on the bus garage, much of the crowd of students in the bleachers didn’t see Mahoning Township Cpl. Clay Fahringer, in camouflage, on the roof.
Also taking part in the SWAT team demonstration — a first for Southern schools — were Mahoning Township patrolman Bob Blee and Danville patrolman Chris Plafcan.
Organized in 1990, the team trains every month and once a year for a week. “We are called to special cases such as hostages or a barricaded gunman,” Stout said. Eleven departments and 15 officers are part of the team.
While the team isn’t called out a lot, Stout said, “Today, you never know. Since 9-11, things have changed in society.”
The demonstration was part of Law Day events organized by Long. Among the activities, state police conducted a rollover demonstration to show the importance of wearing seat belts.
Also participating were the Bloomsburg K-9 Team, a Geisinger helicopter, PPL security, the state Bureau of Forestry and Columbia County Prison.
n E-mail comments about this staff-written article to kblackledge@thedanvillenews.com.

Photos

Officers from the Columbia-Montour SWAT Team stand on chairs as they surround a bus at the Southern Columbia High School stadium during a training exercise Thursday.

Members of the Columbia-Montour SWAT Team move toward a bus as they perform a training exercise Thursday at Southern Columbia High School.

Columbia-Montour SWAT Team member Chris Plafcan shows one of the team?s weapons to students at the Southern Columbia High School stadium on Thursday.