Lake Placid police offer self-defense classes for women

It happened in broad daylight on a Saturday, less than 100 feet from U.S. 27 and across the street from a busy gas station.

A woman was standing at the ATM at the Lake Placid Bank of America at the corner of Dal Hall Boulevard and U.S. 27. She had a 2-year-old child with her at the time.

A man approached, pulled a gun and demanded money, according to the Lake Placid Police Department. He took what money the victim had, got into his car and drove away.

Fortunately, no one was injured during a situation that could have ended in tragedy. An arrest was made a few days later following the robbery July 24.

Police say the man, Gregory Demetrius Wedlow, 43, was charged with robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, unauthorized use of a credit card and cruelty toward a child.

The town of Lake Placid, which has less than 1,800 residents, is not immune to violent crime. Still, the circumstances of the robbery - the time of day (5 p.m.) and location - got the attention of many people.

"I was shocked - especially with the child," said Betty Romine, who attended a self-defense class that the police department has started to offer.

"The ATM thing probably sparked a lot of interest ... something like that 'it could be me,'" said Lt. James Fansler of the department.

"There are a lot of crazy things happening in this county," Fansler added. "Even in this little town we are starting to see things happen.

"It is just a matter of time before things continually get worse, especially as our economy continues to go further and further down. People are going to get more and more stressed. Bad times like this make good people do bad things."

Fansler said several Lake Placid officers took the S.A.F.E. (Self-defense Awareness and Familiarization Exchange) course last year. It is designed for women for rape prevention and domestic violence situations.

Fansler said scheduling conflicts had prevented the department from starting the classes earlier.

"We had several people show interest in it," Fansler said. "Finally, the lady who got robbed at the ATM - I took that as a sign and felt it was an opportunity to go ahead and do this and get it out in the public.

"It was an eye opener...," he added.

The most important thing people need to remember is to be aware.

In describing the S.A.F.E. course, the National Self-Defense Institute's website said: "90 percent of self-defense is awareness, risk reduction and avoiding confrontation and only 10 percent is physical."

Fansler emphasizes always be aware what's going around you no matter where you are at - even if it is something like going to the church or the store.

The class is actually a two-parter. The first part is about 60 percent lecture - trying to make people aware, giving some ideas on how to keep yourself safe at home, work and in public - and 40 percent demonstration of techniques.

Fansler said he tries to give the women options. For example, some trainers teach to say "Stop!" instead of "Help!" because it will tend to stun the assailant.

"Some people hear HELP! and some people will instantly turn away because they don't want to get involved," he said.

"Yelling 'STOP!' at an assailant will take him off guard and possibly change his mind in proceeding with the attack," Fansler said. "The assailant may realize he has picked the wrong victim."

Part of the class focuses on developing a mindset of confidence.

"You have got to have that mindset, you can't defeat yourself before you even get started," he said. "If you tell yourself 'I can't do it' then chances are you are not going to be able to do it. If you instill the thought that I can do anything to protect myself then chances are you are going to do whatever it takes to protect yourself and you are probably going to survive."

Age doesn't really matter. Fansler said some of the things that are shown to the women are effective regardless of age.

"If you can teach an 80-year-old woman to be confident that may very well save her from being a victim just the same as a 40- or 20-year-old," he said. "But if you have an 80-year-old woman, who acts likes an 80-year-old woman victim, she is going to quickly become a victim.

"You have an 80-year-old woman - and we have all seen them - the 80-year-old woman that moves better than we at 30 and 40," he said. "They amaze you because they are still agile for their age."

Jeanne Fortier learned about the class when Fansler dropped off a flier in her store.

"It made me more aware of things I can do to defend myself," Fortier said. "You never know what you are going to be up against."

She noted there are many ways to defend yourself including stomping on feet, scraping shins, head butting and poking fingers in the eyes.

Fortier said there were things mentioned that she never thought of.

"Walk with a purpose, look confident and stand straight," she said. "Have an air about you and don't look like a victim."

Fortier said she is glad the police department is doing the classes and noted that she mentioned it during a meeting of the merchants association in Lake Placid.

"You can't help but come away with a basis of things to protect yourself," she said.

Romine said the class was "very interesting" and that she learned a lot.

She said Fansler is a good instructor, noting that he was serious at times and also made the ladies laugh.

"He kept it from being boring," she said.

Something she picked up is learning the proper way of positioning yourself to have the strength to respond.

"It's a good thing to have a defense for something if you are going to get attacked," Romine said.

The next class will be held Sept. 22 at Lake Placid Town Hall, 311 W. Interlake Blvd. The cost is $15 with the proceeds going for police equipment.

Fansler said the department will continue to offer the classes as long as there is interest.

For more information, call Fansler at 699-3758 or e-mail lppdjames@yahoo.com There is also information on the department's website: www.lppd.com