Police department to conduct radKIDS training

Officer Chris Townsend taught self-defense moves in radKIDS study. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – Consider the statistics: Individuals who aren’t related to victims abduct 58,200 children. When a child is abducted, assailants use physical force 85 percent of the time.

To better equip families to stifle these figures, Madison Police Department will host the radKIDS(r) Personal Empowerment Safety Education program on July 7-11.

Studies for bullying and school violence show that American schools have approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million of their victims, according to police department figures. Each month, 282,000 students are attacked physically in secondary school.

Classes for radKIDS will be held at the police station, 100 Hughes Road. Five- through seven-year-olds will attend from 8 to 10 a.m., while eight- to 12-year-olds from 10 a.m. to noon.

The radKIDS curriculum emphasizes the importance of parents taking an active role in a child’s education process about safety. radKIDS classes are designed to encourage parent interaction though activity and exercise.

In past years, Madison police officers had conducted the radKIDS curriculum in conjunction with its annual Kids Camp. Any child who is 13 years old and younger who has attended past Kids Camps and participated in radKIDS can attend the current sessions to practice his or her skills.

Parents receive a manual that outlines all information and topics presented to children in radKIDS, giving parents a chance to discuss the material outside the classroom environment with homework and skill building exercises.

In addition, radKIDS provides a monthly parent newsletter called “Teachable Moments” that covers an array of current and relevant safety topics.

Cost for radKIDS is $25. Each child will receive a T-shirt and safety manual. For more information, visit madisonal.gov, click “Departments,” select “Police” and navigate to “Community Services.”

For more information, visit radkids.org.