"Why should I invest in Self Defense?"

This is a comment I have heard a few times over the years working in the self defense industry and every time it puzzles me and has me asking the question, "why wouldn't you learn self defense?" For starters, you learn skills that ultimately could help you defend yourself, your loved ones, and those around you who cannot. As a civilian I would like think that if I could not defend myself, someone else who could, would step up in doing so...maybe that's wishful thinking. 

Not to mention you will develop skills to defend yourself but also achieve greater coordination within your own body by connecting with your mind in order to perform certain techniques. This allows you to build both your body and mind to be tough, resilient, and push the limits of your heart/psyche and find how far you can go before you even think about giving up. Every day I see people pushing the limits of what they thought they were capable of at our school and through our training here at Masada Tactical. Individuals who have even surprised themselves at what they can accomplish as long as they put their mind to it and don't ever quit. A fundamental teaching we have at our school, "Never give up!" 

Lets not forget the health benefits associated with just coming to a class and keeping active. This alone will create longevity and increase your quality of life versus deteriorating by staying inactive. Health is a growing concern in our society and a great way to battle this is to become active.  So why not become active and learn a valuable set of skills at the same time? It seems as though it is a no brainer but unfortunately I am beginning to see a trend in preferring electronics and technology over health and wellness. If times are tough do you cut your cable and television bill or your gym membership? Do you try to work your workout routine around your schedule or your schedule around your workout? These are questions to think about when addressing your priorities and do not forget your health is what keeps you going.

Plus, classes are fun, engaging, and invigorating, who doesn't like a little excitement from time to time or to blow off some steam after a hard day and hit something to release some of this frustration. Self Defense brings so much to the table and all of them are benefits to increase your quality of life, do not miss out, and do not wait until it's too late. I always say, "I much rather know it and never need it, then need it and never know it.”

Still not convinced? Still thinking that your time and energy could be spent elsewhere other than learning how to defend yourself? Well don’t just listen to me...listen to the facts about the area you live in...they are not pretty and violence is very much a reality of our society. We are constantly bombarded with bad news on television, social media, and other news related websites...but growing awareness can be positive if addressed correctly. 

Here are the facts according to NeighborhoodScout.com…8,824!  What does this number mean? This is the number of violent crime we have on our own soil here in Baltimore. A number that is above the national average and although not staggering, it is something to take note of, especially if you are a Baltimorian. Assault, rape, murder, and robbery fall under Violent Crimes with assault stealing the spotlight from the rest with a total of 4,655 reported cases. This means that overall you have a 1 in 71 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and a 52% chance it will be an assault. Remember, these are only the reported violent crimes that have happened and it does not include the unreported violent crimes. 

Unreported crimes are a scary thought.   The idea that someone did something harmful to someone else and may never pay for their actions and have an option to repeat said crime. However, this does happen and is an unfortunate reality especially when it comes to rape. According to RAINN, 60% of rape crimes go unreported and although this is determined through the national total it is still a problem in our community here in Baltimore. If you take the crimes that are reported and what the numbers are telling us and then account for the unreported crimes that are occurring we have a good reason to learn how to protect ourselves and our loved ones. 

Investing your time, energy, and body into learning self defense in my opinion is worth it considering the alternative could be a tragic and life altering experience that may leave you scarred and mentally destroyed.

Learn real tools for the real world, do not become a victim.

Vince Spera

Masada Tactical

My Frustration

The nice thing about having a blog is that I get to vent.  I get to say what is on my mind and exercise my free speech right.

So here it goes: I have been living in Maryland for the past 15 years, most of which in the Pikesville area.  I own my house here, and my business is located here.  As part of my personal ethical belief I am a big believer of supporting your community, even more so when discussing one that is as fragile as the Jewish community in Pikesville.

Since we opened Masada Tactical we have been heavily involved in supporting the needs of the community, from providing self-defense and empowerment classes for victims of domestic violence to working with youth at risk.  Most of it at no cost to the organization.  We work with schools, synagogues, community establishment and other organizations for no other reason than we believe that if we can help then we should.

In recent month we have seen an alarming increase in violence at schools and community centers, specifically those affiliated with the Jewish community.  Notably are the attacks at the JCC in Kansas as well as attacks in NYC, France, and even here in Baltimore.

Many organizations think they are prepared, or at least that they are taking necessary steps.  For example, one organization contracted for a security professional to conduct a risk assessment.  Others rewrote new Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).  Yet others invested in physical security elements, such as cameras and alarms.  Most went about it wrong, ineffectively, and did little if anything to truly enhance the security of their organization.

It was at this point that I personally became insulted because at no point were we (Masada Tactical) given the opportunity to help.  We are professionals contracted by some of the largest organizations and those at higher risk, trusted by multi-billion companies, yet local organizations, the same ones we have been helping all along for free, chose to ignore us.

It is important to state that some so-called "Security experts" in the community not only are promoting ill-perceived practices, but are actually causing more harm than good by publishing the issues with different organizations making those more apparent and accessible to would-be criminal/terrorists.

As a response to the various attacks in our community, from vandalism to armed home invasions, Masada Tactical devised a program to train local organizations in how to prepare and defend against such incidents.  The program was to be offered at no cost, and provide every organization that was interested with the tools to learn how to deter, detect and defend against potential threats.  No self-defense or firearms stuff, but rather tangible skills like behavioral analysis, risk assessment and mitigation, and more.  This is a program that has been implemented successfully in NYC, London, and other places, which we were trying to make available to the local community.

The same community that is willing to pay in excess of $30,000 for a product that was no good for them, chose to pass on a FREE opportunity to get what others pay thousands of dollars for.  No surprise there.

As a member of the community I must say I was ashamed.  Here is a group of people who scream that something needs to be done to protect our children and community, yet prefers to sit idly and do nothing when the opportunity comes.

Many think this is not something they should worry about.  The mentality of ignorance and avoidance must end.  Not only is there a chance of it happening, it has happened...multiple times!  And the question regarding the next "big attack" is not of whether it would happen, but more of when?!?

So when the next person needs our help because the worst did happen to them, and they have passed on the opportunity to learn and prepare, they should remember that they have no one to blame but themselves.

Rant over.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein (this does not reflect the opinion of Masada Tactical...just mine!)
Masada Tactical