Think you have an eye for details? That eye could save your life.
Troy Police Lt. Greg Wright spoke at Wednesday’s Female Factor and emphasized the importance of being observant in life-threatening situations.
“Basically, the whole overview of what we’re trying to accomplish today is to get you on your P’s and Q’s. Eyes and hands people, eyes and hands,” he said. “Practice paying attention to detail.”
Wright was one of three speakers at the monthly women’s luncheon, sponsored by Troy Regional Medical Center. Nearly 150 women attended the event Wednesday at the Studio.
The program was designed to provide information to help women as part of national victim’s rights week.
Joining Wright were Jonathan and Kimberly Sellers, victims of a home invasion.
“We’re not trying to do this to glorify it at all,” Wright said. “We’re doing this to learn from it.”
Kimberly Sellers’ advice was not to believe what criminals say. Her assailant said he was there to rob them, but the incident quickly turned violent.
“You have to wait for your opportunity and oblige until you can act,” she said.
Jonathan Sellers said he and his wife had no firearms in the house at the time of the incident. They have since purchased and learned how to use one. He stressed the importance of practice and training.
“A gun that you don’t know how to use is basically a big rock that you can throw at somebody,” he said.
The audience used the question-and-answer period that followed to question Wright on weapons and protecting their children. Wright said children should be taught how to protect themselves and stay out of harm’s way. Self-defense classes are taught periodically at Troy University.
Wright has trained and given presentations to businesses, judges and courthouse staff. He would like to make presentations in schools.
“Schools practice fire drill, fire drill, fire drill throughout the year,” he said. “That’s not what’s killing our kids. Active shooters are.”
The Female Factor meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Studio in Downtown Troy.