Local law enforcement reacts to recent public attacks

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Across the country, back-to-back mass public attacks.

Over the weekend, 11 people were stabbed at a Michigan Walmart. On Monday, multiple people were shot and killed in both Reno and New York City.

"Pure evil came to the heart of our city, struck Innocent people and one of our police officers who were protecting those people. We lost four people tonight," said the President of the Police Officers Union, Patrick Henry.

These ambushes are now prompting local law enforcement to remind people to be aware of their surroundings.

"Create a little plan amongst your family," said Corporal Dan Wilson with Clovis Police.

Wilson says it's important to be alert while in large public settings.

"It's very, very easy for people who are on their cell phones, that they have family members with them, anything like that. We want people to limit the distraction, specifically when they're in public. The second part would be, obviously, keep your head on a swivel," said Cpl. Wilson.

Wilson adds that it can be a matter of life or death for people to speak up if they see something that's not right. The corporal said when attending large public events, it's important to know what's around you in case of an emergency.

"Something that's a great piece of cover is a brick wall. That's something that you can hide behind that should be able to hopefully stop some bullets and stuff like that to be able to move to another area," said Cpl. Wilson.

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