Staff Report
On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, Sgt. Steve Pomatto of the SFPD Academy Defensive Tactics Training Staff and Kevin Martin, SFPD Retired and current Assistant Legal Defense Administrator, met with students from the Academy of Art University of San Francisco to present a Personal Safety Awareness class. The two hour presentation included a lecture on personal safety, a demonstration of basic defensive safety tactics, and a period of Q & A.
The SFPOA and the SFPD, in cooperation with the AAU Campus Safety Department have held this class for the past three years. It is very successful, and growing in popularity.
Kevin Martin began by instructing students that they had an obligation to themselves, their families, friends and loved ones to protect themselves from harm and danger, and how to take steps to do just that. Many of the university’s students are not from the Bay Area and do not have a familiarity with San Francisco or the inherent dangers that accompany city life, especially with San Francisco’s high rate of homeless and altered mental state population.
Tips about awareness of one’s surroundings, the use of cell phones in public, and moving from location to location in numbers were stressed. Safety issues concerning public transportation and use of ride sharing services were also discussed. Many of the University’s Residential Halls and campuses are located in the potentially riskier sections of downtown and South of Market areas of the city.
Sgt. Steve Pomatto gave an outstanding presentation and demonstration of basic defensive tactic moves to help students if they are ever accosted by a violent person. Emphasis was placed on quick, dynamic movements designed to startle the assailant, prevent immediate physical harm, running away from the danger to a place of safety, and calling the police. He was very patient with the practical demonstration as many of the students were unfamiliar with the practice of self-defense. The presentation included advising and suggesting personal safety products such as pepper spray to further protect themselves.
Initially, some of the students were less than enthusiastic to engage in the physical contact and defensive tactic movements but by the end of the class, almost all of the students were participating and becoming increasing more familiar and comfortable with the actions.
Steve has proven to be an outstanding instructor, and his extensive knowledge and ability to clearly articulate his messages is enhanced by his easy going demeanor and genuine concern for the safety of the students. He takes his time to demonstrate step by step the necessary movements fundamental to personal defense.
Many thanks go to Sgt. Steve Pomatto for his time, knowledge and outstanding teaching and instructing abilities.
Thanks also to Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University for her continued support for the SFPD and the SFPOA, Campus Safety Director Michael Petricca for his collaborative efforts in this program and his staff of Ari Artadi, Mark Raquel Alan Pineda and James Holman , all, of whom assisted in the presentation of this and other classes.
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