BOXFORD — The quiet bedroom community of Boxford isn't exactly known for violent crime, and the Police Department hopes a self-defense training class for women will help keep it that way.
Boxford Patrolman Matthew Dupont said he expects to fill the town's first Rape Aggression Defense Systems class, which teaches women how to avoid becoming victims of violent crime through awareness, prevention and self-defense. He said the instruction is helpful in plenty of situations, from knowing the safest place to park at a shopping mall to safely leaving a home.
"We have had numerous house breaks recently," Dupont said. "Boxford's relatively quiet, but that doesn't mean someone won't come in from a shady area and attempt to commit a violent crime."
The class, which will be free to Boxford women, runs six nights in early June at the police station. Dupont and Officer Louann Bonny will lead the class, which will conclude with hands-on self-defense instruction. Dupont said he's helped teach dozens of classes and has gotten great feedback.
"I don't know if anyone's had to use it, but every woman I've put through the program has had a fantastic time, and they say they get a lot out of it," Dupont said.
For more information or to register, call Dupont at 978-887-8135 or e-mail m.dupont@town.boxford.ma.us.
