Women's Safety Course


The Hazlet Police Department was proud to sponsor a six day women's self
defense program which ended on November 19, 2007. The program was taught by
our own Patrolman Jerry Burgos and his long time friend, Detective Sergeant John
Merced of the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. Both are long time practitioners
of martial arts and certified police instructors.

The program which started eight years ago by the two who volunteer their time, had
its humble beginning in a hall at their church in Keyport. It has since gained some
popularity and has grown amongst members of the community who look forward to
attending each year.

This year the program was given at the Cullen Center one day a week for six weeks
where for two hours the women were taught various techniques in order to
maximize their chances of surviving a vicious attack. It also incorporates lecture on
crime prevention and current trends of criminal activity in order to minimized their
chances of being victimized.

Patrolman Burgos said, "Its our goal to provide a realistic training program for
women in order to instill the necessary confidence to survive an attack utilizing first
avoidance and secondly if needed hands on self defense strikes". Sergeant Merced
said, "I love to see the progression each week where the attendants start out tame
and by the sixth week they are ready to do what is necessary to keep themselves
alive should they be physically attacked".

The program is normally given each year beginning sometime in October and is
advertised in the local newspaper as well as the P.B.A's website. Anyone needing
additional information is asked to contact Patrolman Jerry Burgos at
(732)-264-6565 Ext. 568