Coral Gables police offer self-defense course after Miami Beach shooting – NBC 6 South Florida

Days after a woman was attacked while rollerblading in Miami Beach, police in Coral Gables are offering a self-defense course to equip women to defend themselves in the event of similar attacks.

The course, called “Fight Like a Girl,” also included women, including Jessica Castillo, who was taking the course for the second time.

“I hope she’s OK. It’s really scary. I used to live on the beach,” she said. “It’s always something you have in the back of your mind and it always helps to have certain techniques and strategies to defend yourself.”

Sergeant Alex Escobar of Coral Gables leads the course. He advises women to always be alert and, if something doesn’t feel right, to follow their gut instinct, go to a safe place or ask for help.

“Always be aware of your surroundings, look around, try to turn off your phones, and if you have to go somewhere, to the grocery store, just make sure that if you feel unwell, ask the manager for help, ask someone for help,” Escobar said.

To register for the course, call (305) 442-1600 and ask for Community Affairs.