Teen’s abduction renews focus on personal safety

Lawrence resident Ginger Vermooten, front, a Tae Kwon Do black belt, front, warms up with her class as they practice kicking exercises Monday afternoon at ATA Black Belt and Leadership Academy, 5150 Clinton Parkway.

Expert advice

Law enforcement officers and self-defense instructors offer this advice to help deter or thwart possible attackers:

¢ Be aware of surroundings.¢ Park and walk in well-lit, busy areas at night.¢ Act confident while walking.¢ Be alert when using ATMs.¢ Avoid walking or jogging alone at night.¢ Hold keys when walking to the car.¢ Be loud if attacked and a weapon is not involved.

The tragedy of Overland Park teenager Kelsey Smith being abducted June 2 from a shopping center parking lot and found dead days later is focusing attention on self-defense, martial arts instructors say.

“It doesn’t have to be necessarily strength. It’s all leverage and technique,” said Chip McClellan, chief instructor at ATA Black Belt and Leadership Academy, 5150 Clinton Parkway.

At the academy, McClellan and other instructors teach tae kwon do and plan to start another self-defense class.

A major news event such as the tragedy involving Smith – Olathe man Edwin R. Hall faces now faces murder and kidnapping charges in the case – typically means more people zero in on safety issues. They inquire or sign up for lessons. Or they consider buying gadgets meant to help thwart attackers.

Although he couldn’t say if it was related to the Smith case, A.R. Wells, store manager at Westlake Ace Hardware, 601 Kasold Drive, said Monday that he has noticed inquiries about the types of pepper spray in stock.

“We have sold a few,” he said. “I know I have had people come in and asking for it.”

As a fourth-degree black belt, McClellan offers prevention tips to people – particularly women – to help them stay safe. He emphasizes parking in well-lit and popular areas if driving alone, particularly at night.

“You want to keep an eye out for what’s going on around you,” he said.

During classes, instructors train students on several complex moves that, if practiced intensively, can become almost a reflex if students are attacked, McClellan said.

It’s all about leveling the playing field, he said.

While self-defense moves are helpful, it’s also possible to protect yourself in other ways. For example, keys and other objects can be used as weapons, McClellan said.

Striking pressure points can hurt the attacker – such as the midthigh, the two lowest ribs, the spot below the sternum and the throat, he said.

And as long as no weapon is involved, it’s best to make a lot of noise.

“Draw attention so somebody can help and it makes the attacker a little skittish,” McClellan said.

If the attacker has a weapon, the victim should weigh the circumstances, although many times it’s best to cooperate, he said.