Press release
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office would like to raise public awareness regarding the Genesee County Threat Assessment Committee (GENTAC). GENTAC was developed by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with community stakeholders in a collaborative approach to identify and prevent acts of targeted violence such as school shootings, domestic terrorism, workplace violence and mass casualty attacks. Targeted violence is a premeditated act of violence directed at a specific individual, group, or location.
GENTAC is comprised of representatives from local and federal law enforcement agencies, mental health professionals, social services, substance-use support agencies, schools, emergency management officials, and private entities. When an individual, of any age, demonstrates alarming behaviors is identified, GENTAC reviews each report and engages in a multi-disciplinary approach to develop a balanced intervention and case management strategy appropriate for its threat level. Further information can be found on the attached notice as well as at www.gentac.org. Community members can submit a report to GENTAC for review at www.gentac.org or 585-483-3090. Reports can be made anonymously. If you have information on a suspected, planned, or openly voiced imminent act of violence, contact 911 immediately.
Sheriff Graff:
“We are asking the public to be aware and report any suspicion of potential acts of violence. The public’s assistance, combined with GENTAC’s experts, will contribute to the success of preventing violence in our community and guiding people away from a path of violence. If you are worried someone may be planning, talking about, or threatening to harm others, please contact GENTAC. Your information can save lives. Anyone with information about an imminent threat, should call 911 immediately.”
Lynda Battaglia, LCSW:
“As an active and consistent member of GENTAC, I am able to assist in navigating the complexities of the mental hygiene system in order to better serve the team and the community. The multidisciplinary approach is crucial to this team so that we can look at threats from various perspectives and provide input from our individual areas of expertise. Threat Assessment and Management is a continuous process and the main goal is to assess and mitigate risk, while wrapping services around a person so the outcome serves them and the community. As a Certified Master Trainer in National Threat Evaluation and Reporting and Best Practices, one of my main goals is to educate our community on what to look for and what to do if you hear or see something of concern. I see this as an opportunity to get the community involved on what to do if someone may be thinking about, or planning, an act of violence. It literally takes every one of us to keep our community safe.”
Carla Mindler, Director of Social Services:
“The Department of Social Services has been a part of GENTAC since the onset. Our department may be familiar with the individuals referred to the committee, and we can offer insight and resources. We have worked through many referrals with varying threat levels, and the subsequent interventions have not only mitigated the threat to the community but have allowed for crucial services to be put in place to support the individual. This has been particularly rewarding when we have gotten youth back on the right track. GENTAC has strengthened the network and resolve in Genesee County to keep the community safe through resource referral and service provision. These interventions will not succeed without a cooperative approach, and DSS is highly invested in these efforts. We are committed to doing our part and hope the community will help bring these concerns before the committee to prevent targeted violence.”