After SANDY HOOK: Look Beyond Gun Control!

A year ago, Americans were shocked by the tragic loss of 20 children and 6 teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Are you surprised Congress has not passed any new gun control laws? If legislators can’t pass laws, perhaps, we need to focus in a different direction!

All school shooters and violent gang members have something in common. Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter, was an angry, lonely, troubled young man who was socially isolated with access to guns and violent video games. Just like other violent young men, he lacked strong male role models in his life and a neighborhood and community support system. He didn’t have any spiritual guidance to help develop his coping skills in order to handle his emotions. He was a candidate for mental problems and violent behavior.

If we are going to stop gun violence, let’s start a discussion on what city leaders can do to help strengthen families.

As a crime and violence prevention specialist for 38 years, I see a critical need to address fear and social isolation that drives people to buy guns. When we understand the importance of involvement and neighborhood responsibility, we can restore a sense of community. Disconnected families will discover they are not alone. New neighborhood mentors and role models will emerge as neighbors build trust. Youth need people who care and offer support to help them reach their potential.

Connected and involved neighbors can help cities save millions of dollars. Citizens would no longer feel the need to buy a gun for protection as they help youth stay out of the criminal justice system. Everyone benefits.

WHAT ELECTED, CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS CAN DO to create positive, citywide change!

Civic and religious leaders can talk to local elected officials about creating a…
Citizens’ Task Force to focus on strengthening families.

GOAL: Strengthen families through neighborhood support and encourage healthy role models for youth! Citizen involvement reduces fear, anger, stress and isolation, as neighbors work together and build trust.

HOW? Elected and religious leaders have the ability to influence citizens to take charge of their neighborhood safety, which will help strengthen families.

WHY? In cities large and small, families experience divorce, bullying, domestic violence, child abuse, and drug and alcohol abuse. When neighbors get connected, they can help restore a stronger sense of community support.

WHO? Encourage city leaders to appoint a volunteer citizens’ or youth task force to develop a plan to help residents get connected. Depending on city population, appoint a group of 8 to 10 community “doers” to discuss local concerns and focus on a plan of action.

RESIDENTS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:
Task Force members can take an active role in speaking to schools, civic and religious groups about the plan. For example: “Adopt-A-Block” can be implemented citywide. Encourage adults and youth to conduct a neighborhood survey. Get willing neighbors together and appoint leaders. Evaluate results and address concerns.

Ideas to get more neighbors and youth involved:
- Clean up graffiti and/or the neighborhood
- Plan a potluck Block Party or social gathering
- Hold an emergency Preparedness meeting
- Moms organize a baby-sitting co-op
- Plant a community garden
- Paint house numbers on curbs (Project for teens)
- Offer leadership training

Reducing fear and building trust is a long-range approach to stopping gun violence. We can no longer afford to ignore the importance of family support and neighborhood involvement if we are going to keep citizens safe and protect our children.

Stephanie L. Mann, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Safe Kids Now
For more information: www.safekidsnow.com

PREVENT Child Sexual Abuse-Empower children

2 minute REPORT: The 7 MYTHS that keep adults for discussing child sexual abuse.

Children will not be victims if you empower them. To learn more about protecting children, go to www.safekidsnow.com Join the Safe Kids Now community on www.facebook.com/safekidsnow We welcome your comments and questions.

CITIZEN ACTIVISTS: The Key to Community Change!

America’s budget crisis and economic downturn has experts writing articles and wondering why crime has gone down. A former Los Angeles police chief gives credit to tracking, analyzing numbers and quick responses.

Richard Rosenfeld, a sociologist who studies crime trends states, "a remarkable decline." He suggests possible explanations include, extended benefits, food stamps and other government-driven economic stimulus "have cushioned and delayed for many people the big blows that come from a recession."

As a crime and violence prevention consultant for 36 years, I have seen citizen activists reduce crime but they are seldom acknowledged. When I got involved in 1969 to stop crime in my community, police were called “pigs” and citizen activists were called, “vigilantes” or “busy bodies.” Negative terms often slow down innovation. When citizen activists formed a volunteer countywide citizen’s crime prevention committee, the police chief’s association tried to block a state grant. Our request was granted only after a former police chief became a co-leader with our administrator. The chief was dropped after the 2nd year when the police saw citizens willing to work with them.

As one of six citizen activists, I was the West County Coordinator and we met weekly to share what we learned. Over the next six years, coordinators organized 27 volunteer crime prevention committees in cities throughout our county. Committees worked with police in each city to reduce burglaries. Citizens soon discovered neighbors were stopping vandalism and destructive juvenile behavior. Neighbors also learned how to work together to stop drug dealers, prostitutes and predators. As volunteers became more knowledgeable, they reported a porn ring; illegal gambling and discovered child sex trafficking.

As the group evolved, we saw the need for training. The committee developed workshops on how to develop partnerships, build teamwork, facilitate a meeting, make a presentation, sell prevention and work with the media. In addition to organizing and supporting local committees, we created a resource list of films, pamphlets and flyers to help volunteers make presentations on shoplifting, rape, drugs, juvenile delinquency and senior power. Staff and volunteers developed a county newsletter. Every year crime prevention volunteers grew, and the committee sponsored events and an annual dinner recognizing our numerous citizen activists. Our staff of eight made a huge impact on our county.

The solution to crime and violence has never been police, elected politicians or government. They set policy and have an important role, however, crimes occur when families and neighbors are disconnected and youth feel no one cares. We saw citizens changing attitudes, restoring hope as they reduced fear and social isolation which fuels crime and violence.

Today the media, police and city leaders see the need for volunteers. However, crime prevention training is limited for many reasons. Leaders may not trust volunteers, don’t understand their critical role or may feel threatened. Some volunteers do a better job than paid employees. When citizens get involved they might discover fraud, corruption and learn that citizens are being misinformed.

To continue the decline in crime, every community must tap into our greatest national resource, our citizens. Americans must be involved at the neighborhood level to stop juvenile bad behavior. INVOLVEMENT creates healthy environments for youth before they take drugs, get pregnant, drop out of school or join gangs. Every citizen should be encouraged to:
1. Meet neighbors in the ten closest homes or apartments.
2. Help neighbors connect and get acquainted.
3. Exchange contact information.
4. Know the children, the elderly and the cars in the neighborhood.
5. Encourage everyone to write down descriptions, license numbers and report suspicious activities.
6. Keep neighbors informed about any crime or problems.
7. Designate a rotating neighborhood leader, if people are afraid to report crimes.
8. Create a list of skills and equipment neighbors are willing to share.
9. Designate a “safe house” or a “block parent” for youth.
10. Have an annual neighborhood social or block party.

The public needs to know that their involvement contributes to the mental, physical and spiritual health of the community. The threat of floods, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes and terrorism is a wake up call for citizens to get connected. Involved citizens don’t tolerate crime and often become mentors for children! It takes a network of support to help raise compassionate, responsible, disciplined children.

To focus on prevention we must promote involvement and reward citizen activists for their accomplishments! County and city leaders should consider a citizen countywide committee. All city employees should be encouraged to set examples by organizing and participating in their neighborhoods. Adults need to take charge of neighborhood safety so children can grow up in healthy, peaceful cities.

Crime has decreased because citizen activists are creating change! Americans will create more positive change if citizens are encouraged, involved, educated and trained to be citizen activists in every community.

“As soon as public service ceases to be the chief business of citizens, and they would rather serve with their money than with their persons, the State is not far for its fall.”
Jean Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract 1762

Mann is a safety consultant and the author of 4 national crime prevention books. Her first book, “Alternative to Fear: Guidelines for safer neighborhoods (1975)", helped launch the national “Neighborhood Watch” program. You can contact her at: http://www.safekidsnow.com.

5 MYTHS - Keeping neighborhoods locked into crime!

For decades, community leaders have perpetuated myths.

Myth #1 Police can keep us safe.
The national average is 2.5 police for every 1000 citizens. The job of police is to react when crimes occur.

Myth #2 Money will solve problems.
Taxpayers spend billions on programs, security, swat teams, training, scanning equipment and surveillance cameras. Money has not stopped gangs, demand for drugs or violence on streets. When an area receives funding, violators move.

Myth #3 Laws control behavior.
Laws have limited power. Law-abiding citizens obey laws. Criminals, gangs, pimps and drug dealers pay little attention.

Myth #4 Racism keeps the community down.
Blaming people who look different perpetuates anger. Anger gives disconnected youth an excuse to be violent. Gangs, like warring tribes, turn youth into uneducated men who end up in prison.

Myth #5 Poverty keeps people from progressing.
Politicians gain power with an illusion of compassion. The on going, “War on Poverty” and “War on Drugs” cost billions. In our zeal to “help” the poor, we can destroy self-confidence and create dependency.

Myths have some truth but they don’t change community behavior.

Crossroads…will security require more surveillance and less freedom or will we focus on supporting neighborhoods and strengthening families?

A national goal: strengthen families.
Children need support to discover their self-protective conscience. When youth have a supportive network of family, friends and church family, they learn they have potential and make responsible choices. Most city youth, do not join gangs, take drugs or become violent but they do need a safe city.

Creating peaceful cities will take:
1. A spiritual awakening to raise children with a conscience.
2. Community participation to build strong neighborhoods.

City leaders can train citizen “community coaches” to work with neighbors to reduce anger and overcome fear. Coaches who speak the language within a neighborhood can educate people so they won’t become victims. Neighbors can stop bullies and destructive behavior at an early age. As people work together, youth see new role models.

Civic and church groups can adopt one block to bring people together and build relationships. They can plan activities; a block party, plant a garden, sponsor a safety fair or prepare for emergencies. Involved neighbors become teachers and mentors.

As community support grows, city residents can heal and cities will become safer for everyone.

Stephanie L. Mann, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Author: “The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook: 10 steps to a safe and healthy neighborhood.”
“Street Safe Kids: 10 step guide to building self-esteem and staying centered.”
www.safekidsnow.com

FAQ's - From Stephanie, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant

14. Violence is spreading throughout the world with religious leaders blaming and attacking free societies. What can be done?
Our freedoms are in jeopardy because our religious tolerance is being used against us. “Freedom of Religion” has never been an excuse to abuse women, control others or silence individuals.

What can we do?
America must become the role model by growing strong from within and working together. There is a huge difference between people controlled by religious leaders or government and a democratic society with people who are connected to each other to make their community safe. Know and respect your neighbor is critical in a free society. Americans must stop tolerating local crime and violence if we are to remain a free society.

A united community can keep gangs; hate groups, drug dealers, predators and potential terrorists in check, as they serve the needs of their children.

Remember: Every juvenile delinquent, bully, abused victim, drug dealer, gang member, potential terrorist, school drop-out and child struggling to grow up with domestic violence…lives in somebody’s neighborhood. Involved neighbors create safe, healthy neighborhoods for families to live and grow.


For more information go to: www.safekidsnow.com

Read all questions and answers on the website.

5 myths - Keeping neighborhoods locked into crime!

For decades, community leaders have perpetuated myths.

Myth #1 Police can keep us safe.
The national average is 2.5 police for every 1000 citizens. The job of police is to react when crimes occur.

Myth #2 Money will solve problems.
Taxpayers spend billions on programs, security, swat teams, training, scanning equipment and surveillance cameras. Money has not stopped gangs, demand for drugs or violence on streets. When an area receives funding, violators move.

Myth #3 Laws control behavior.
Laws have limited power. Law-abiding citizens obey laws. Criminals, gangs, pimps and drug dealers pay little attention.

Myth #4 Racism keeps the community down.
Blaming police or people who look different perpetuates anger. Anger gives disconnected youth an excuse to be violent. Gangs, like warring tribes, turn youth into uneducated men who end up in prison.

Myth #5 Poverty keeps people from progressing.
Politicians gain power with an illusion of compassion. The on going, “War on Poverty” and “War on Drugs” cost billions. In our zeal to “help” the poor, we destroy their self-confidence and create dependency.

Myths have some truth but they don’t change community behavior.
Go website to learn what you can do.

NEWS RELEASE

Adopt-A-Block Guidebook Offers Simple
Plan for Building a Great Neighborhood

Everyone wants to live in a great neighborhood and a new book shows anyone how to create one. The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook: 10 Steps to a Safe and Healthy Neighborhood offers a simple plan for making any community a better place to live.

In ten, easy-to-follow steps, the guidebook explains how a group of neighbors, members of a civic, service or religious organization, or local governments can “adopt” a one-block area and create safety zones throughout the community.

In this guidebook, readers will learn:
-how to “break the ice” to bring neighbors together
-the best projects for building bonds
-how connected neighbors help protect children – and improve property values
-limitations of governments – and costs of policing

“This guidebook helps neighbors connect with one another so they can break through the fear and isolation that fuels crime, drugs and other problems,” says Stephanie Mann, author of the guidebook and a pioneer in the Neighborhood Watch movement who helped her own community cuts its crime rate by 48% – without a police department. “By taking the action steps outlined in the Adopt-A-Block plan, neighbors become empowered and learn that they don’t have to tolerate destructive behavior.”

Already, the City of Richmond, California, which has been plagued with street violence, has purchased and distributed dozens of copies of the guidebook to local leaders and members of the faith-based community. Marilyn Langlois, Community Advocate in the Office of the Mayor in Richmond, has this to say about it: “The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook reminds us how important it is to build on the caring aspect of human nature in order to create supportive communities in which all can thrive,”

For more information: www.safekidsnow.com