Willow Glen Resident
News
Karate school fundraiser is timely after girl's abduction
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
It was like watching a nightmare unravel, again.
The Oct. 8 kidnapping of a Willow Glen youngster was a reminder to Willow Glen resident John Ozuna of the dangers that lurk around the block and why it's important to be prepared.
Ozuna, the director of Willow Glen-based K.O. Kung Fu School, a martial arts school near Foxworthy and Cherry avenues, was once again educating the community during this year's annual Fright Night fundraiser Oct. 27. The event is designed to increase awareness on the issue of child safety.
The fundraiser, which took place in Willow Glen High School Little Theater, uses the proceeds for the karate school's Child Abduction/ Assault Resolution Efforts program.
"We've had this program in place for about 10 years, and it was in response to a very similar incident," Ozuna says.
The most recent incident took place just a few blocks from the school at the intersection of Koch Lane and Almaden Expressway.
According to San Jose police spokesman Nick Muyo, San Jose resident 27-year-old Donald Bachmann drove his car into the girl after she and her 9-year-old sister crossed the street. He drove up to the next light, made a U-turn and drove back for the girl and kidnapped her, police said.
She was able to fight off her attacker and escape.
Bachmann is currently in Santa Clara County Jail, and the case is with the district attorney's office.
K.O. Kung Fu School partners with San Jose Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department and travels from school to school raising awareness about child safety and self-defense at no charge.
"Fright Night allows us to actually go through the program and give physical examples in the context of a karate show," he says. "The audience learns something, enjoys it and becomes part of it."
The karate school has sponsored the fundraiser for the last 15 years.
"Typically, these types of criminals scout a neighborhood, look for patterns and trends," Ozuna says. "If a child walks by himself to school, even if he lives just a block away, he's alone for that period of time, and the opportunity is there."
What made the Oct. 8 incident so different and alarming is that the perpetrator used his vehicle as a mean of kidnapping, Ozuna says. "They crossed the boundaries of even how they do this," he says. "The most disturbing about all of this is that it has gotten to the point that they are willing to do anything."
A few of the points that the program teaches its students include calling attention to the situation and physical skills they can use to fight back.
"We teach all our kids to always take three steps back when approached by a stranger," he says. "It puts space between them and gives them the opportunity to flee, run and get attention."
Also taught are three phrases all children should know in these situations--"I don't know you," "get away" and "help."
If attacked, children need a chance to flee, not fight, he says.
"We educate a child about the most vulnerable places on the body not made to withstand any pressure," he says, "such as the eyes, throat and groin. It just gives them a fighting chance."
Sarah Marquardt has her son enrolled at the karate school and she says the Oct. 8 incident was a complete shock.
"Times have changed," Marquardt says. "Kids can't wander alone anymore. People lurk."
Her 6-year-old, Manny Hernandez, has been with the school since March.
"I want him to know," she says, "when and if he's out alone, what to do in those circumstances."
K.O. Kung Fu School is located at 1455 Foxworthy Ave. For more information, call 408.265.8504 or visit www.kokarate.com.
