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

Teen Suicide every 100 minutes

RECENT HEADLINES: Marie Osmond's 18 year old son jumped off his apartment balcony. Teen suicide is on the rise!

Many parents don't know the difference between normal teen depression (moodiness) and signs of suicide. Here are some of the risk factors:

- Talking or writing about dying, disappearing or types of self-harm.
- Personality changes: withdrawal from family and friends, anxious or irritable, sad, indecisive or apathetic.
- Inability to concentrate on school, work, routine tasks.
- Change in sleep, including insomnia, oversleeping and nightmares.
- Dressing down, unkempt and poor hygiene.
- Change in eating habits.
- Low self-esteem or over-whelming guilt, self-hatred or shame.
- Loss of hope, believing things will never change.
- Giving away favorite things, extravagant spending, arranging care for pets.

For more information: www.suicide.org National Suicide Prevention Center

Volunteering: Perfect for teens

Teens can gain valuable experience by volunteering. Teens can try out new things that could ignite a lifelong passion. In addition to the positive social impact of service, volunteer work looks great on a job resume or college application.

So don't hesitate! Get out there, volunteer and take your preteen or teenager. Join a group that is already making a difference. By helping your community, volunteers learn people and leadership skills and much, much more.

IDEA: How about joining a neighborhood church or civic group and presenting the "The Adopt-A-Block Guidebook." What better place to start than in your own neighborhood!

Go to www.safekidsnow.com for more information.

From Richmond CA community activist, AJ

Dear Stephanie Mann,

Thank you for your devotion to stopping violence and public safety. Your commitment in this area with information and participation makes the difference.

Opportunity, attention and expression is the way out of this dilemma. Opportunity to change must exist; how can one change if the opportunity to change does not exist?

Attention must be given to our youth before the demand to be notice. Their quest is; I am somebody, I am important, I am smart, I am going to be noticed, respected, loved, powerful, beautiful, admired, and never forgotten.

The expression is very important it says, I am different, special, unique, look at me I am somebody, I did it my way! New, innovative, excited..., Love me; Please!

When we begin to deal with these needs we will be very successful in our efforts!

Love me; Please, AJ.

Question from Meg...Condo owner

Hello. My condiminium complex has had numerous break-ins (especially in vehicles) lately and a few weeks ago someone tried to break into my house through a window. We do have an alarm system and so that helps but I'm really worried about being safe when I'm by myself just walking down the street or in any situation. Any advice?

(Question originally posted and answered on www.allexperts.com)

Hi Meg,
Unfortunately, this is a common concern but you can create a safe place to live. Here are some ideas for you.
- Don't leave anything of value in your car. However, if you must, lock in trunk...out of sight.
- At night, if you are close to your car, keep your car keys near by. If someone tries to come in a window, press the alarm on your car to scare the intruder away. If you are not close to your car, know all your neighbors so you can call someone. Get their agreement to make noise and bang on your door. (911 takes time to respond. The neighbors next door can help immediately.)
- Keep apartment locked. Most burglars enter through unlocked windows or doors.
- Burglars don't like noise or light. Consider getting a whistle, a barking dog, leaving a radio on during the day or installing a motion sensor light.
- Criminals are a small group and they are primarily young and local. Your best protection are your neighbors. Get to know and trust them. Join or start a condo safety group. As a group, you have the power to educate and get residents involved so they can help each other stay safe. When young people learn your complex is not an easy target, they will stop coming into your area. Alert, informed neighbors will not tolerate crime. Help your neighbors take charge of their safety!

Your police departments may have crime prevention information. Your group can invite an officer to speak, if the police have the resources.

You can find my book, "Safe Homes, Safe Neighborhoods: Stopping Crime Where You Live" online or at your local library. Also, I will be putting more information on my website as I have a new book coming out. Stay Safe! Stephanie

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...

Myth or Truth? Domestic violence increases on Super Bowl Sunday?

The answer according to Parade Magazine (2-7-10), sadly yes. However, it is not just Super Bowl Sunday but attacks increase on most holidays.