Senior self defense class at Sheriff's Office

PORT ST.LUCIE, FL -- Although statistics show that violent crimes against the elderly are rare compared to other groups, many older people fear physical harm.

In any kind of attack knowing how to defend yourself is key and that's why the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office offered its first ever self defense class on Wednesday.
 
The class teaches all sorts of self defense techniques.

Seniors like Al Gillespie say it's well worth their time.

"I am pretty sure I can hold my own now, but I am not looking for any trouble," says Gillespie.

One of the common misconceptions about the classes is that you have to be an expert to perform the techniques, but that is not the case at all.

"It wasn't difficult at all, the instructors were very easy to understand," says participant, Jo Ellen Howard.

Seniors are oftentimes the most vulnerable being targeted by attackers on the street and falling victim to fraud.
 
"Seniors in today's society are made to feel afraid, even to go the doctor's office," says Sergeant Chris Sicio with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

This is the first time the Sheriff's Office offered the class and judging by how things went, it won't be the last.