‘Street Smart’ seminars on Tuesday

By Malynda Fulton

October 16, 2008 10:28 pm

— VALDOSTA — Citizens can receive tips to help reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime during one of two Street Smart seminars to be held Tuesday.
Presented by the National Crime Prevention Task Force, the seminars will answer questions such as: What should you do if approached by someone in a parking lot? How can you reduce your chances of becoming a victim by 70 percent? What makes you an attractive target to a criminal?
Free and open to the public, the first seminar will take place at Mathis Auditorium from 5-6 p.m. It’ll be followed from 7:30-8:30 p.m. by another one at St. Paul AME Church, 419 S. Ashley St.
The Street Smart Seminar is being presented in response to a large turnout and demand for more crime prevention and safety awareness during the Women’s Safety Forum that was hosted in August by Rep. Amy Carter, D-Valdosta. Carter organized the forum to “arm the community with awareness and education” in response to the growing number of emails circulating about dangerous attacks. During the forum, attendees had the opportunity to address the truths and myths of the emails and ask law enforcement officers about methods to prevent them from becoming the victims of brutal or fatal attacks.
In addition to the upcoming seminars, all Moody Air Force Base female personnel are invited to a free Rape Aggressive Defense and Basic Physical Defense Class at the Base Chapel on Oct. 27. The event will take place from 5-8 p.m. and teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women, according to a release from Airman 1st Class Spencer Gallien. The class gives an overview of situational awareness and identification of danger signs.
For more information about the Street Smart Seminar, call 888-806-1199 or email ncptf@yahoo.com. For more information about the Rape Aggressive Defense and Basic Physical Defense Class, call (229) 257-4292.