Appreciation for self-defense training class

WESLACO — Weslaco police officers Danny Elizondo and J.P. Rodriguez presented certificates of appreciation to local individuals, organizations and businesses for sponsoring the quarterly Self-Defense Class for Women earlier this week.

The Weslaco Police Department organized the class but it wouldn’t have been possible without the sponsorship, Rodriguez said.

Certificates were presented to the Valley Grande Institute for donating a red man suit, Target in Northwest McAllen for donating water, First Baptist Church for lending their gym and Ruben Rodriguez, chief instructor at Progressive Scientific Fighting Arts for lending his time to teach the class.

The red man suit is a protective outfit an officer or trainer dons which allows participants to strike the suit without hurting the person inside. The suits are expensive and after the institute’s donation, the police department now has two of them, J.P. Rodriguez said.

J.P Rodriguez said the classes teach women and young girls how to strike certain areas on an attacker like the knees or eyes and how to get away if they’re pinned down.

“In today’s world, it’s getting more dangerous out there,” he said.

Aside from gaining defensive skills, the class also teaches confidence.

“It brings up self-esteem,” said Ruben Rodriguez said. “They understand techniques taught, it’s a power, it’s a knowledge and everyone knows knowledge is power.”

The first class consisting of 53 participants was held in July and the most recent was held on Oct. 23 with 58 participants. The next class will be held in January.

For more information call the Weslaco Police Dept. at (956) 968-9014.