JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Police continue to search for a man that attacked a female jogger in the Timberlin Parc neighborhood.
Neighbors tell Action News police have increased patrols, while they remain on high alert themselves.
"I'm definitely kind of looking to see if people look out of place in the neighborhood," says Greg Leonard, "or see people I don't recognize."
Leonard has lived in Timberlin Parc for 12 years and never expected someone would be attacked, especially before dark.
But Todd Williams, founder of Runsafer.com, says attackers will strike anytime and anyplace.
"It just goes to show you should be prepared because it can happen anywhere."
Williams is a former Olympic runner, five-time winner of the Gate River Run, and has a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, but says you don't have to be an athlete to defend yourself in an attack.
In January he partnered with First Place Sports and the Luiz Palhares Jiu Jitsu team to develop a program that teaches runners of all levels self-defense techniques. Last week's attack sparked concern across Northeast Florida, and Williams says more than 50 people attended his self-defense class over the weekend.
He says running and self-defense groups across the county are already reaching out for more information to help prepare runners in their communities as well.
One of Williams first lessons is to think like a survivor and fight. Police say the Timberlin Parc victim was able to free herself from her attacker and run to a safe public place where help was called.
"I don't know if she [the victim] was trained, but she did the right thing to fight and get back to an area where she could be seen," said Williams. "I tell people 'you need to get out of there. You need to do what you have to do to put yourself back in the middle of a bunch of people where you can get out and get to safety.'"
Williams says the focus should be on distracting and frustrating an attacker so they give up.
He also says being aware of your surroundings at all times and telling a loved one when you go out jogging alone are also important.
For more information on demonstrations and self defense courses, visit www.runsafer.com.
