Airport "pat downs" can put your child in danger!

WARNING!
I teach parents to teach children not to let ANY adult touch them in the area covered by a bathing suit. Now we see videos of young girls and boys being patted down by strangers at airports. This can be confusing to a small child and, possibility, make it easier for a predator to abuse your child.

Parents, talk to your children and explain the difference, "I was with you."

REMEMBER...most predators are people your child already knows. Get the message across, if you are not with them, they can scream, yell and run away if touched in a private area. They need to tell you or a trusted adult, immediately.

Children are smart but YOU need to talk to them and give them permission. Role playing how you want them to react can help them understand what to do and how to do it.

$20 million...costly failure by police!

The failure of law enforcement and parole officers to tell neighbors about a registered sex offender in their neighborhood has been costly for the Dugard Family and the California taxpayer. (“Kidnapping victim, kids to get $20 million payout” San Francisco Chronicle 7-2-10).

As a crime and violence prevention consultant, many of us advocate citizen involvement to keep neighborhoods safe. Many officers disregard the importance of connected neighbors and assume they, alone, can discover neighborhood problems.

Officers need to work with residents!

In my 40 years of working with neighbors, many officers use the excuse, “people might become vigilantes.” As a neighborhood organizer and former Contra Costa County crime prevention coordinator, I never saw anyone become a vigilante if they had accurate information and knew what to do. If the sheriff’s department had communicated with neighbors, there would have been a different outcome for Jaycee Dugard and her family… many years ago.

Stephanie L. Mann, Crime and Violence Prevention Consultant
Safe Kids Now!
www.safekidsnow.com

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 Ways to tell!

Are your children really safe in your neighborhood? 5 ways to tell.

HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
1. Ask the kids on the block if they feel safe.
2. Talk to neighbors about any neighborhood concerns.
3. Contact your police department to get statistics.
4. Check www.meganslaw.com to see if predators live in your area.
5. Hold a meeting and bring neighbors together to discuss neighborhood safety.

If you want the whole community to get involved, check out the Adopt-A-Block Guidebook at www.safekidsnow.com

Is your child strong enough to resist a predator?

90% of molesters know their victims. Oprah had an excellent program (2-8-10) to help adults understand the mind of a predator. She interviewed 4 molesters who admitted they start slow and gain a child's trust.
Do you know the signs of a predator?
Can your child speak up?
Do you know what to do to keep your child safe?
Do you know how to empower your child?

Let's talk...

5 things to do TODAY to protect your child!

Keep kids safe from predators!
1. Know all the neighbors on your block...you or your child may need them in an emergency.
2. Encourage children to use their intuition...if they don't feel safe, run and get help.
3. Always have children use the buddy system when going to and from school.
4. Map your neighborhood for safety. (danger areas, traffic, river, park, dogs, etc.)
5. Role play...if your child is grabbed, tell him or her to yell "CALL 911" and fall on the ground kicking and screaming.

What advise do you have for keeping kids safe?

For more information
http://www.about-megans-law.com/