PEORIA, Ill. – The death of Memphis-area school teacher Eliza Fletcher while she was out on an early morning run earlier this month prompted Peoria Police to want to show local runners and walkers what they can do to stay safe.
Peoria Police Sergeant Dave Smith will lead a clinic to that end Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at Peoria Police headquarters.
“What I want to focus on with this is situational awareness, mindset, and what criminals look for when they’re looking for a victim, so that the person out on the street doesn’t necessarily present themselves as a victim to that person,” said Smith.
Smith says essentially, ways to be situationally aware that police officers are taught, are exactly what he wants to pass on to runners and walkers.
“A lot of times, if someone is out running, and…a criminal who is targeting that person sees them, and they don’t appear that they even notice the bad guy looking at them, that makes them an easy target to that criminal,” said Smith.
Smith says just making eye contact and paying attention to your surroundings could almost be the difference between life and death. He says self-defense skills are also helpful, but the course is not a self-defense class.
Smith says you can call him at (309) 494-8324 to register, or go online, but registration is not required.
