Self-defense is topic at Citizen's Academy

DAYTON-"We're hardwired for violence. The fact that you are sitting here right now means for generations and generations, there were people in your background who knew how to operate in violence, or else you would not be here today," Columbia County Under Sheriff Robbie Patterson said to the Dayton Citizen's Academy students during last Friday's class.

Patterson said a course on self-defense is actually a course in violence, and he talked about the importance of understanding the difference between social aggression, as in school yard bullying, and asocial violence, which is about destruction.

"If you react to asocial violence as if it is social aggression you will probably end up dead," he cautioned.

"Violence is rarely the answer, but when it is, it is the only answer," he said. "You have to be willing to do whatever it takes, not to be a victim."

Patterson discussed the importance of being aware of one's surroundings, and he said being mentally prepared often gives people a better advantage, than being physically prepared does, because mindset matters.

The citizen participants were given time to practice deescalating and incapacitating skills, with a little help from Patterson, Deputy Caesar Rivera, and Sheriff Joe Helm.

Last Friday's program was the end of this ten-part Citizen's Academy program series.

A celebration is planned at Fire Dist. No. 3 on Friday, April 26, at 6 p.m. for the twenty-four people who will graduate from the Citizen's Academy, said Civil Deputy Tim Quigg.