Self defense: the importance during holidays

Purse snatching or pick-pocketing is what police call a crime of opportunity. According to the Corpus Christi Police Department, those types of crimes seem to happen more often around the holidays.

“This time of year, people are preoccupied by the holidays,” Travis Pace said, a CCPD Public Information Officer. “They sometimes let their guard down.”

According to Pace, the most important thing to do to avoid becoming a victim of an attack is be aware of your surroundings.

“To a criminal, they want to attack someone, to victimize someone that potentially cannot identify them because they never saw what happened to them,” Pace said.

An attack can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Pace says it’s important to have a plan of action when you’re out in public. That means avoiding any distractions like having a cell phone out, or earphones in.

Another tip: Travel light. Leave your valuable items and important paperwork at home.

Pace says if someone does approach you, looking to rob you or take something of yours, “We recommend, let them go, let them have it. It’s not worth getting killed over.”

Melissa Tanner, a brown belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at Presa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, also says don’t fight back.

“Get to a place where you can immobilize him, even for a few seconds, and run,” Tanner said.

Tanner, also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3x world champion says to immobilize an attacker who is grabbing your upper body from behind, “Get a good base with your feet and your legs, and then lift your arms up.”

Presa Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu does offer free self defense classes. Click here for more information on becoming involved.