August 28, 2005 Kids take charge Program teaches youngsters how to confront attackers. By JEFF ROMIG Tribune Staff Writer Julia screams "no" as she practices one of the tools she learned at the r.a.d. program being taught at the Niles Police Complex on Wednesday afternoon. Tribune Photos/GENE KAISER NILES -- Friday afternoon and evening, 17 Niles children between the ages of five and 12 fought off police officers disguised as assailants. When they finished, they officially became r.a.d. kids. Throughout this past week, the youngsters spent two hours a night resisting aggression defensively through instruction by Officer Kevin Kosten of the Niles City Police Department and Trooper Rob Herbstreith of the Michigan State Police. Kosten said this safety course is different than the average class because it "empowers the kids to protect themselves." They don't just learn what to do in a given situation. They do it. They call 911. They run from strangers. They fight off bad guys. "Most curriculums tell kids to be safe," Kosten said. "We go a step further and show them how." Michigan State Police Trooper Rob Herbstreith demonstrates to the r.a.d. class how to call for help and protect the vital areas of their head and neck in case of an animal attack. Kosten said children typically learn about "stranger danger" and are told to yell "no" and run away. "But that's where the training stops," Kosten said. "What if a stranger won't take no for an answer? That's what r.a.d kids covers." Kosten made it clear that the physical side of the course -- which makes up the second hour of each session -- is strictly defensive techniques. "It's not a fighting course," he said. "We've involved action as part of the curriculum. It's not just words or a scream." And it's not just open to the r.a.d. kids themselves. Kosten said parents are welcome to watch and are encouraged to read the r.a.d kids parent's manual, which covers everything from the Internet to guns to fire. "Anything you can think of, it's probably in there," he said. For now, the r.a.d. kids class is in the pilot stage. Kosten said they plan to hold at least one more pilot version during the school year before opening it up to the public next summer. He said the program's uniqueness is what makes it effective. "It's unlike anything that's been introduced in this area," Kosten said. Staff writer Jeff Romig: jromig@sbtinfo.com (269) 687-7001 Jump to a day:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005   Our Privacy Policy and Direct Notice To Parents Contact the southbendtribune.com Web staff. News coverage and editorial content provided by the South Bend Tribune unless otherwise specified. Copyright © 1994-2005 South Bend Tribune