Santa Cruz police say there are many misconceptions about what kind of person is likely to engage in a mass shooting. Police Chief Andy Mills says it’s not the obviously mentally-disturbed person that becomes a shooter. Rather, people should be concerned about someone who seems frightening or does something like showing off a weapon at work.
The police department has started a new program aimed at helping officers recognize the early warning signs of a potential mass shooter. Special teams are also being created to intervene when necessary. Chief Mills says the worst thing for Santa Cruz might be to realize a clue had been missed, but not until after a shooting occurs. That has happened in other cities and Mills says he does not want it to happen in Santa Cruz.
