Web posted
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Police help with self-defense classes
By CHRIS ROBINETTE
Traveler Correspondent
Personal protection could take on a new priority in the minds of Arkansas City residents.
Arkansas City Police Lt. Eric Burr has set up a self-defense class that will be taught 2 p.m. May 3, at the Arkansas City High School. The class is geared toward women and teens.
Burr contacted the Ali Kemp Foundation to teach the class after he saw a news story on a Wichita TV station.
"As soon as I saw the news report, I thought it'd be something good to offer here," he said.
The Ali Kemp Foundation is a nonprofit organization set up by the parents of 19-year-old Alexandra Kemp, a Kansas State University freshman from Johnson County, who was murdered in 2002 while working as a lifeguard. The organization offers scholarships and self-defense classes, Burr said.
"I'm really excited to get the foundation down here," he said.
Burr had to work to get the class taught in Ark City. He raised funds by asking local businesses for donations. The Future Farmers of America at Ark City High School pitched in by setting up a potato bar.
The support from the businesses and organizations might hint at the possibility of a good turnout. Burr is hoping the number of attendants to be somewhere in the ballpark of 75 to 100 people.
"I think it's an awesome thing for Ark City and I hope we get a really good turnout," he said.
People interested in the class have two options; they may pre-register for the class by calling the ACPD at (620) 441-4444, or they may show up at the door the day of the event.
Those attending will learn fundamentals; such as basic awareness and self-defense techniques.
"It's a very sophisticated set up. They know what they're doing and I'm really excited about it," said Burr.
Door prizes will also be available at the class. They were donated from various local businesses. The door prizes are as follow: Creative Memories gift certificate, two $50 gift cards to the Winfield Wal-Mart, movie passes to Cowley County 8 and a box of KC strip steaks from Creekstone Farms Premium Beef.
The door prizes are an enticement for people to attend, but Burr said he wants people to gain a "certain level of confidence" in the event they have to defend themselves. He said that many people have become worried about the possibly of a personal attack in light of the death of Jodi Sanderholm. Burr said he has heard from people in the community; especially parents and teenagers.
"This is a hands-on, real-life learning situation that could be very important sometime," said Burr. He hopes to bring the Ali Kemp Foundation back in the future.
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