Almost anything can be turned into a weapon for self-defense. That’s one of the lessons that the Troy Police Department will offer women who attend the upcoming R.A.D. (rape, aggression defense) classes being offered during the month of July.

“One of the questions I’d ask is if any of the women brought any weapons with them,” said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr. “And of course they’ll say no because I’ve told them not to bring any weapons. But anything can be used as a weapon.”

The course will be provided free of cost at the Troy Recreation Center on July 10, 17 and 24. Barr said the course will offer lecture and practical drills and will focus as much on prevention as escape.

“The object is to teach them to be more aware of their surroundings and hopefully prevent something like that from happening,” Barr said. “The people who prey on women in situations like this are looking at women no different than a predator in the wild looking at where they’re going to get their next meal. They look for the weakest … We want to help them to be more aware of their surroundings and prevent them from being a victim. Prevention is the best cure. We can help teach them some things that would make them less of a target.”

For example, Barr said the women will be taught about how simply changing the way they carry themselves while walking or the choices they make while walking through a parking lot can help prevent a situation from ever occurring. The course also teaches the women though what to do next if they do find themselves in a dangerous situation.

“We want them to create a plan so that if something does happen, they’re ready,” Barr said. “We want them to have a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. You want to have a toolbox with several different tools you can use in the event you are attacked by someone.”

Barr said the goal of the training isn’t necessarily to be able to take down an assailant in a fight though.

“The object is not to necessarily win a fight but to create an opportunity for yourself to escape and get to safety and that in itself is a win,” Barr said.

Barr said the class is for every woman that wants to come.

“It’s a very good class,” Barr said.” You don’t have to have a set of skills to come in and do this. It’s just very basic self-defense. I encourage anybody that’s interested to o through this class.”

The class will be offered on Monday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 10, 17 and 24 at the Troy Recreation Center. Sgt. Michael O’Hara will be instructing. To sign up for the course or for questions, contact O’Hara at 334-670-2234 or michael.ohara@pd.troyal.gov.