GEORGETOWN — Chief Donald C. Cudmore is pleased to share that the Georgetown Police Department hosted its second Rape Aggressive Defense Systems (RAD) class for women in the community.
The Georgetown Police Department partnered with the Boxford and Middleton Police Departments to hold its second RAD class last week.
The RAD program, which is new to Georgetown, is a 12-hour comprehensive course that covers awareness, prevention, risk reduction, risk avoidance, and the basics of “hands-on” defense training. RAD-certified instructors teach participants realistic self-defense tactics and techniques created specifically for women.
The program is designed to help empower women and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep themselves safe.
Georgetown Police School Resource Officer Taylor Ford, Lt. Matthew Dupont and Officer Curtis Anderson of the Boxford Police Department, and Det. Sgt. Dave Arathuzik of the Middleton Police Department hosted the class.
13 women graduated from the second installment of the program on Thursday, July 28. Georgetown’s first RAD class was held in April and was offered to female seniors attending Georgetown High School and Masconomet Regional High School, as well as their mothers or other adult female family members.
“There has been a lot of demand for this program and SRO Taylor Ford has brought it to fruition through a collaborative effort with the Boxford and Middleton Police Departments,” said Chief Cudmore. “We are hoping to continue to offer this program for our community, and are working to secure funding that will make it possible for us to purchase the necessary equipment for these courses.
The Georgetown Police Department hopes to raise $5,000 to purchase the equipment needed to conduct a RAD class.
Those interested in future RAD classes, as well as anyone interested in donating to support the program, should reach out to Officer Ford at 978-352-5700 or by email at tford@georgetownma.gov. Participants must be at least 16 years old to attend the program.
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