By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
October 12, 2011

Self defense makes you confident, not violent, James Schriever said.

Schriever, master patrol officer for Central Patrol Division, recently led a women’s self defense class at Scuola Vita Nuova.

“Absolutely do not worry if you hurt your attacker or break his bones. Remember, you did not ask to be attacked,” he told attendees.

Schriever demonstrated several self defense moves and provided common sense tips.

He stressed the four “A’s”: aware, alert, avoid and action.

Avoid being preoccupied when walking to your vehicle and pay attention to your surroundings, he said. Also, have your keys in your hand, not buried at the bottom of your purse. Take note of someone paying too much attention to you and acknowledge the presence of a suspicious person. Walk with confidence and avoid short cuts or “potential problem areas,” he said. If someone tries to attack, use common sense and don’t panic, he said. Perform every self defense technique at full force. However, if someone is demanding valuables like a purse, oblige by throwing the purse away from you and run in the opposite direction. Valuables can be replaced, he said.

Interviews with criminals revealed the top characteristics they look for when choosing a victim are disheveled hair; clothing that restricts movement, like a too tight dress or shoes that are difficult to walk in; preoccupation and those who avoid eye contact. Lack of eye contact signals a sign of weakness to predators, he said.

Most assaults and abductions occur between the hours of 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. and the most popular locations include grocery stores, parking lots and parking garages and public restrooms.

Keeping one’s cell phone fully charged is vital, Schriever said. The number one reason he hears for not immediately calling the police is that the person’s cell phone died.

“Cell phones could possibly be the difference between life and death,” he said. “It’s a very important tool in self defense.”

Police officers can use the “pings” from a cell phone to locate an abducted person, he said.

Safety at home

While at home, utilize the peephole if someone knocks and never open the door automatically. If a stranger asks to use your phone, offer to telephone assistance for him or her and don’t allow him or her into your home. If someone knocks on the door claiming to represent a company like Missouri Gas Energy, ask for his or her identification, the supervisor’s name and telephone number. Call the supervisor to verify he or she has sent out an employee.

Schriever warned not to be fooled by a uniform. MGE has told him the company loses uniforms often, whether it’s through someone quitting or being fired, or uniforms falling off the truck.

Instead of using your full name, use initials on your mail box and on the answering machine, use the word “we” can’t come to the phone right now.

Never hide house keys in obvious places, he said, and keep landscaping trimmed short, so criminals can’t use it as cover. To further stave off criminals, keep the front porch and back porch well lit and leave a pair of men’s boots or a large dog bowl on the front porch, he said.

Exterior doors should be solid metal and dead bolts should have a minimum throw of one inch.

“Anything under one inch is inadequate and could be easily manipulated,” Schriever said.

A striker plate should use screws that are three inches or longer attached to the door frame.

For sliding patio doors, use devices like a jam brace or door club to prevent criminals from jerking the door off track and breaking inside the home.

Self defense weapons

If you choose to carry a firearm, educate yourself on the state’s laws pertaining to use and carry and purchase a firearm you are comfortable with and can become proficient with, Schriever said.

“A bigger caliber gun doesn’t always mean better,” he said.

For better aim, add a laser aiming system to the gun, which beams a red or green dot where the bullet will hit.

If buying a taser or stun gun, purchase the item from a reputable dealer, he said.

“Most devices on the market will not incapacitate the subject,” he warned.

One effective device, however, is the Taser International CW, he said, which is similar to the police version and can incapacitate a subject from up to 15 feet away for up to 30 seconds.

For pepper spray, read the ingredients label and don’t purchase sprays that contain less than 10 percent of the active ingredient, capsaicin, Schriever said. Also, check the expiration date. An expired bottle of pepper spray will be useless, he said.

Schriever recommends buying two packages of pepper spray – one to save for an attack and one to use for practice.

For information about upcoming self defense classes, contact Schriever, (816) 759-6313.