Ald. Foulkes Hosts Self-Defense Class, Talks Safety
Following the reported assaults of two young women on the South Side, Alderman Toni Foulkes (15th) hosted a self-defense seminar Saturday at Harper High School. Recent news reports indicate that a 26-year-old woman was assaulted on a Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train and a 13-year old girl was attacked in an alley by 59th and Wood Streets.
The Guardian Angels, a non-profit neighborhood watch group, contacted Foulkes to host the event. She told the Chicago Citizen she was eager to host the class in light of the recent attacks and said the class had a turnout of approximately 100 people.
Miguel Fuentes, national director of the Guardian Angels, told the Chicago Citizen Friday that the group planned to cover several safety techniques including ways to survive an attack at gun or knifepoint. Fuentes added that people should be vigilant of their surroundings especially when traveling alone. He encourages people especially young women to not text on cellphones as much and remove headphones when traveling alone. In addition, if a person is approached by an offender he cautions individuals to get a description of the offender, run away and notify police.
It was a lot of valuable information, Foulkes said of the seminar. The Guardian Angels taught attendees how a transit fare card could be used as a knife. They showed how your bus card can be used to cut if you need it to, Foulkes said. The group also encouraged people to scratch offenders to get DNA because it can be used as evidence.
The alderman said safety is a concern for the entire city not only in the 15th Ward which encompasses the West Englewood and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods.
Safety is a main concern for our ward, Foulkes said. Not only in the ward, its a main concern for the city right now.
Foulkes works with police commanders in her ward which she said is home to two of the highest crime districts in the city. The alderman remains in close contact with the 7th District commander in Englewood, she said.
Im very active when it comes to the police department, Foulkes said. She adds although the code of silence is pervasive, residents are not afraid to speak out about crime.
Sometimes they may call the office and I have to tell them I am not the police but they feel comfortable and we do whatever we have to do, she said. Maybe they dont want to come to a Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting, because they feel it may be someone there looking.
Foulkes said she does not mind meeting with residents in confidence if they want to share information about crime. She also mentioned that building a relationship with the community allows residents to build confidence in the police department.
Following Saturday's seminar with the Guardian Angels, the alderman wants more community groups to host self-defense classes.
People need to get more involved and not take anything for granted as far as safety is concerned, Foulkes said.
By Thelma Sardin
Twitter: @thelmasardin
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