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Joe Britte is looking forward to getting
punched and kicked by a bunch of 8-year-olds. The Gainesville police
crime prevention officer will be wearing a big, red suit of full-body
padding when that happens, of course.
He and fellow Gainesville Police
Officer Brad Baker will take turns taking a beating as part of the
"radKids" safety education course that starts next month.
But radKids is more than just punching practice for preadolescents, Britte said.
"It's not teaching kids how to
fight," he said. "It's about personal empowerment, the power to look in
a predator's eyes and say, 'You're not going to hurt me,' and running
and telling someone, whether it's a parent or a teacher."
The four-day course will be held
starting Feb. 17. Each class lasts two hours and covers everything from
how to deal with bullies to Internet safety.
Children ages 8 to 12 will be taught
in the first quarter. A similar class for 5- to 7-year-olds will be
offered beginning in April.
It's the first time the course has
been offered in Gainesville, and Britte, Baker and Dawson County
Sheriff's deputy Terry Wooten are the only three certified radKids
instructors in the state north of Columbus.
The two Gainesville police officers spent a week of 12-hour days last year learning how to teach the course.
Britte has extensive experience
working with children, from his role as a school resource officer
liaison to his work in the juvenile courts.
"I love it," he said. "It's so rewarding."
Gainesville Police Chief Frank Hooper
said the radKids program took on a new timeliness in light of a recent
attempted child abduction in South Hall that made headlines this month.
Hooper decided to fund the course
through his department's budget after researching the nonprofit,
Massachusetts-based organization. It joins the police department's Drug
Abuse Resistance Education and anti-gang programs for children.
"I think this is a good proactive
step," Hooper said. "The biggest thing I hope they take away from it is
to be aware of your surroundings and know you don't have to be a
victim."
As of Thursday, four slots remained
for the first class of 12 students. Britte predicts the class will
quickly have a waiting list for future quarters.
Registration is $10 and is limited
to Gainesville residents due to space considerations. For more
information, contact the police department at (770) 531-2660.
Contact: sgurr@gainesvilletimes.com, (770) 718-3428
Originally published Friday, January 26, 2007
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