Sergeant gives New Year’s Eve safety tips

HACKETTSTOWN – With many people planning to ring in the New Year with large crowds, and terror threats continually making headlines, it’s important for people to know how to protect themselves.

And according to Edwin Pantoja, protecting oneself refers to not only the public, but law enforcement officials as well. In Times Square alone, more than 6,000 New York Police Department officers will be on duty to ensure the public’s security during New Year’s Eve festivities.

“Police officers should always try to create space, which I know is difficult in a crowd, but distance is your friend. We like to say it’s the ‘six foot rule’ because the average arm length is about three feet and you want to at least double that if you can,” said Pantoja, 48, of the Long Valley section of Washington Township. “Also, if you see someone suspicious, let them know you see them, that you’re there and watching them.”

As for the public, the best thing to do is stay vigilant.

“If you see something, say something,” Pantoja said. “And I know that can be hard if you’re at a party, but go with your gut. If someone is by themselves or not interacting like everyone else, report it.”

If there is a confrontation, keep a distance and stay watchful.

“Watch the hands,” Pantoja said. “The hands are what can hurt you.”

Pantoja said pickpocketing is a common crime in large crowds associated with New Year’s celebrations.

“Men should watch their wallets. Wrap a rubber band around it your so you can feel the friction if someone’s trying to take it. Women, zip up your bags,” Pantoja said. “Crime is all about opportunity – not just location but people too - and we can create or prevent opportunity. Make it so the person moves on to a softer target.”

A 28-year veteran of law enforcement, Pantoja founded Force Effects Training about a year and a half ago after watching the riots in Ferguson, Missouri and thinking there is a better way for police to handle confrontations that would reduce violence and result in fewer officers losing their jobs.

“With things the way they are in this country, I wanted to share this information with the public,” Pantoja said. “Law enforcement officers are losing their jobs or going to jail for how they react to situations and these are methods to prevent that.”

With Force Effects, Pantoja created a series of videos and classes that show officers how to reduce violence incidents and civilians how to protect themselves from threats including mass shooter incidents.

The videos aren’t just limited to police, but also security personnel, medical staff, and other professionals, teaching the viewer how to correctly and efficiently subdue a person resisting arrest with little or no injury.

Pantoja has been using these techniques himself for nearly the last decade of his 28-year police career, training with a martial arts expert to create targeted moves to de-escalate a confrontational situation as efficiently and safely as possible.

“I’m older on the job now and I wanted to learn how to subdue someone without getting myself or another person hurt,” Pantoja said. “Once people saw what I was doing they started asking how to do that themselves.”

Pantoja said in response to recent police-related incidents including the death of Freddie Gray and the shooting of Michael Brown, many police departments are responding with increased sensitivity and communication training.

“That’s always going to be the number one option,” he said, “But there are always going to be certain situations where, for whatever reason, communication breaks down and you’re going to have to be hands-on. And preparing for that is what I think is lacking in training.”

Pantoja said he spends time online breaking down videos of altercations to plan for the best possible response as a police officer.

“Nine times out of ten, men go for the head or neck in fights,” he said. “We teach to go for the legs. This isn’t just self-defense for officers, it’s life and job preservation.”

Videos are available online, along with additional information, at www.forceeffectstraining.com.

People can also reach out to ForceEffectsTraining@gmail.com to request classes or seminars on topics including self-defense, training to be safe during the holidays, business threat assessments, and active shooter training for which Pantoja is a certified instructor.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com