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GREENWICH, Conn.-- College-age women in Greenwich can get lessons in self-defense during a free five-week course starting July 24, offered by the Greenwich Police Department Special Victim's Section.
Over two months, women will learn how to fend off assailants through Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques, situational awareness and desensitization of panic, according to Officer Fred Quezada, one of the instructors.
"One of the things we teach is what to look for when you're by yourself, and how to pre-plan entrances and exits, even if nothing is going to happen," he said.
Quezada will be instructing the class with Officer Jeff Morris. Both are certified jiu-jitsu instructors by the Gracie Combative Military and Law Enforcement Academy, according to a release. This is the third session of its kind, and Quezada said it's well received.
"At the end of the class we ask the women to be brutally honest so we can make the classes better, and they all say they like it and would recommend it," he said.
During this session, Quezada also said that he is trying to bring men in to practice with female participants so the class can be as realistic as possible.
'Worst case scenario, if you forget everything that you learned in the class, just fight back," Quezada said.
The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are divided into two groups: one starting at 6 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. To sign up, contact Sgt. Mark Zuccarelle at (203) 618-8347.
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