CLEVELAND -- The holiday season has most police departments operating with a heightened sense of awareness.

An active shooter threat like that in Omaha is more a matter for local police, not mall security.

Cleveland area patrols are learning training techniques and using specialized weaponry that gives them the ability to respond much faster.

Since the Columbine school shootings, many northeast Ohio police departments have been training their patrol officers like SWAT.

"You would respond the same way whether it is a mall or a school or an office building," Lyndhurst Police Sergeant Pat Rhode said.

The crown jewel of shopping malls sits in Lyndhurst's jurisdiction ... Legacy Village. Just across the street is Beachwood Mall, another high end shopping destination.

In active shooter training, the objective is to eliminate the threat of a gunman firing in a populated area.

What once took up to 30 minutes waiting for SWAT teams.... now takes only a few with regular patrols.

There is special weaponry like shotguns that shoot bean bags when the threat is less lethal.

When police have an active shooter situation, patrols have rifles with special sights to eliminate the threat.

SWAT Tactics Trainer Sgt. Darren Senft says, "You have to respond as soon as possible and you have to get as many officers as possible to respond."

Sgt. Senft teaches active shooter training to beat cops.

They train several times a year.

Sgt. Pat Rhode says shoppers can also help themselves. "Be vigilant, be aware, know where they are...pay attention to their surroundings and know where to go in case of emergency."