Deputy Devon Sons and LoryAnne Daugherty show the group how simple techniques can help individuals defend themselves in dangerous situations.

New Horizons hosted a Situational Awareness program with the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department on October 26 at Rock Port High School. The program was centered on how to stay safe in your surroundings and environment.  Deputy  Devon Sons’ program covered many topics, from how to properly carry purses and bags in a crowd, how to defend yourself in a dangerous or confrontational situation, parking lot awareness  and  understanding the “Coopers Color Code” regarding how aware you are in your surroundings.

Deputy Sons explained that there are many things people can do to help protect themselves if confronted by someone trying to rob or harm them. He also gave them tips on what not to do and what changes you can make in your day-to-day life that make you more aware of any potential danger around you. One tip that the crowd found very helpful was to start practicing noticing your surroundings so that identifying people’s physical characteristics or remembering details about cars and times becomes second nature. This increases the likelihood that you will automatically retain those memories during an attack or altercation, which can help officers identify culprits.

The Atchison County Sheriff’s Department offers programs like Situational Awareness, self-defense classes and active-shooter training for schools that are available upon request.