Civilian Safety Awareness Program

In three weeks, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a safety-awareness program between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 in order to educate citizens about why they need to be aware of their surroundings at home, at work and inside their vehicles.

Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts said the Civilian Safety Awareness Program class will be conducted free of charge at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington. The class will be limited to 30 students, who must be age 16 or older. Lexington County residents are given preference in registering for the program.

Citizens who want to participate in the safety-awareness program are asked to register by calling the Sheriff’s Department front desk at (803) 785-2400, Metts said. The program will be taught by Sgt. Don Wieder, who trains Sheriff’s Department deputies. One portion of the class will be taught outdoors so students are asked to wear comfortable clothes and athletic shoes.

During the class, citizens will learn how to defend themselves and escape in the event that they are attacked, including how to deploy a chemical pepper aerosol spray, Metts said.

Participants in the safety-awareness program will receive a chemical pepper aerosol spray kit, including inert devices that they can safely practice with as well as a device that can disperse an active chemical pepper aerosol spray, Metts said. They will receive hands-on training in deploying a chemical pepper spray.

“Our goal is to help citizens be smart, be ready and be alert,” Metts said.