Drugs & Violence

* Talking with Kids About Drugs

- Don’t put off talking to your children about alcohol and other drugs. As early as fourth grade, kids worry about the pressures to try drugs. School programs alone aren’t enough. Parents must become involved, but most parents aren’t sure how to tell their children about drugs. Open communication is one of the most effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid drug use. Talking freely and really listening show children that they mean a great deal to you.

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* Making Peace - Tips on Managing Conflict

- Irritated? Frustrated? Angry? Ready to explode? You're not alone. Whether it's an argument with a friend, aggravation because a driver cuts in front of you, or a disagreement about the best way to do a job - conflict is part of everyday life. Conflict produces stress, hurts friendships, and can cause injury and death. We can't always avoid conflict but we can learn to manage it without violence. That way, we use conflict to improve our lives and to learn from past mistakes.

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* Ten Things Adults Can Do To Stop Violence

1. Set up a Neighborhood Watch or a community patrol, working with police.

2. Make sure your streets and homes are well-lighted.

3. Make sure that all the youth in the neighborhood have positive ways to spend their spare time, through organized recreation, tutoring programs, part-time work, and volunteer opportunities.

4. Build a partnership with police, focus on solving problems instead of reacting to crises. Make it possible for neighbors to report suspicious activity or crimes without fear of retaliation.

5. Take advantage of "safety in numbers" to hold rallies, marches, and other group activities to show you're determined to drive out crime and drugs.

6. Clean up the neighborhood! Involve everyone - teens, children, senior citizens. Graffiti, litter, abandoned cars, and run-down buildings tell criminals that you don't care about where you live or each other. Call the local public works department and ask for help in cleaning up.

7. Ask local officials to use new ways to get criminals out of your building or neighborhood. These include enforcing anti-noise laws, housing codes, health and fire codes, anti-nuisance laws, and drug-free clauses in rental leases.

8. Work with schools to establish drug-free zones.

9. Work with recreation officials to do the same for parks.

10. Develop and share a phone list of local organizations that can provide counseling, job training, guidance, and other services that can help neighbors.

Personal Safety

* Identity Theft

If you become the victim of identity theft, it is important to act immediately to stop the thief’s further use of your identity. Unfortunately, at this time victims themselves are burdened with resolving the problem. It is important to act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage. In dealing with authorities and financial institutions, keep a log of all conversations, dates, names, and telephone numbers. Note the time spent and any expenses incurred. Confirm conversations in writing. Provide your police report number to expedite reporting the crime.

Send correspondence by certified mail (return receipt requested). Keep copies of all letters and documents. Sometimes victims of identity theft are wrongfully accused of crimes committed by an imposter. If a civil judgment has been entered in your name for actions taken by an imposter, contact the court where the judgment was entered and report that you are a victim of identity theft. If you are wrongfully prosecuted on criminal charges, contact the state Department of Justice and the FBI. Ask how to clear your name.

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* ATM Safety & Security Tips

• Walk purposefully with confidence. Give the appearance that you are totally aware of your surroundings.

• Be aware of your total environment and what is going on around you. Criminals tend to avoid people who have this type of demeanor

• Perform mental exercises and think out what you would do in different crimes or personal security situations.

• Follow your instincts. If you feel you are in danger, respond immediately. Remember that your personal safety is the first priority.

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*Street Smarts

• Stick to well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

• Don't flash large amounts of cash or other tempting targets like expensive jewelry or clothing.

• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.

• Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket.

• Try to use automated teller machines in the daytime. Have your card in hand and don't approach the machine if you're uneasy about people nearby.

• Don't wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.

• Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.

• If you think someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or lighted house. If you're scared, yell for help.

Neighborhood Watch

* Preventing Vandalism

• Educate the public, especially young people about the costs of vandalism.

• Clean up vandalism as soon as it happens -- replace signs, repair playground equipment, paint over graffiti.

• If you see anyone committing vandalism, report it to the police, school authorities, or someone who can take action.

• Remember, vandalism is a crime.

• Protect your house or apartment from vandalism by using good lighting and locking gates and garages.

• Support recreational programs for young people in your community. Volunteer your time, donate money or supplies, and help in any way you can.

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* Getting Together to Fight Crime

It’s important to enlist the help of as many people as possible from your community. There’s something each person can do to help. Anyone can hand out educational brochures. Young children can pick up litter or learn to settle arguments without fighting; older youth can teach younger ones about preventing violence or organize positive activities like concerts that can replace drug traffic in a nearby park. Caring adults can help troubled youth; families can help each other. Business people can help manage programs and raise funds; civic activists can round up local agencies to meet needs like recreation, housing, or education. Many things help cause crime, violence, and drug abuse problems in a community; many kinds of activities will help to end the problems. Some may be more direct than others, but all will help.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Each Tips will be uploaded on website monthly.

Crime Prevention Tip of the Month

* January - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

* February - Business Watch Circular

* March - Vehicle Robbery, "Carjacking" Prevention

* April - Child Victimization Prevention

* May - Senior Crime Prevention

* June - Tourist Crime Prevention

* July - Domestic Violence Awareness

* August - Neighborhood Watch Information

* September - Personal Security

* October - Internet Safety Tips

* November - Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Safety Tips

* December - Holiday Safety Tips

Traffic Tip of the Month

* November
Child Passenger Safety and Seatbelts
* October
Pedestrian and Halloween Safety
* September
Driver Safety and Railroad Crossings
* August
Staged Collisions
* July
Drunk Driving
* June
Aggressive Driving Awareness
* May
Bicycle Safety
* April
Recreational and Off-Road Vehicles
* March
The Code 3 Vehicle - "Please Abide, Move Aside"
* February
Child Passenger Safety

* January
New Traffic Laws for 2002

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