POSITIVE PARENTING SEMINAR WELCOME PARENTS

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POSITIVE PARENTING SEMINARWELCOME PARENTS

• CANTON POLICE LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

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Community Relations Coordinator

• Sergeant Deb Newsome
• 734-394-5424
• dnewsome_at_canton-mi.org
• Crime Prevention Crime Analysis

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Community Updates

• Child Abuse Focus Group
• Crimes committed against children
• Crimes committed by children
• Child Abuse Prevention / Internet Safety
• New Public Website from Public Safety
• Preview of Informative Links Downloads

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Topics for Tonights Seminar

• Canton Leisure Services
• Amy Lockmondy Health Wellness/Facilities
  Coordinator
• Summer Sun Safety Heat related illness
• Jeanette Williams Aquatics/Health Wellness
  Specialist
• Water Safety for Children Parents

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Topics for Tonights Seminar

• Canton Police Department
• Prevention Tips for Child Abduction
• Crimes Committed by Children
• Open House Party Ordinance

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PREVENTION TIPS FORCHILD ABDUCTIONS
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MY CHILD IS MISSING

• US Department of Justice (2002 study)
• In one year, an estimated 797,500 children were
  reported missing
• More than 2,000 children were reported missing
  every day, and thankfully the vast majority of
  them are recovered quickly

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RUNAWAYS

• Runaways can become victims of sexual
  exploitation, child pornography, prostitution,
  drugs and / or crime. The first 48 hours are
  important for both child and parent.
• First contact your childs friends, neighbors,
  school, relatives, anyone or anywhere your child
  frequents
• Secondly call the police department to report
  your child as a runaway (Juvenile Status Offense)

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Non-Custodial Abductions

• The most common form of child abductions
• Very high recovery rate, but this does not mean
  the child is automatically safe when taken by a
  parent.
• IF I CANT HAVE THEM, NOBODY CAN !!
• Recovery rate is high because there is a large
  amount of information known about the abductor
  (name, SS , vehicle information etc.)

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Non-Family Stranger Abduction

• TIME is critical
• Extremely rare, but by far the most serious and
  usually end in tragedy
• 16.5 years in Canton and I can not recall a full
  blown child abduction case by stranger
• BUT IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME

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RECENT CASES IN THE NEWS

• 3 YEAR OLD ABDUCTED FROM HIGH END RESORT WHILE
  PARENTS WERE AT A DINNER PARTY WITHIN SITE OF THE
  ROOM
• 18 YEAR OLD FEMALE (KANSAS) ABDUCTED IN PARKING
  LOT OF TARGET IN BROAD DAY LIGHT / BODY FOUND 4
  DAYS LATER 20 MILES FROM WHERE SHE WAS ABDUCTED
• SHAWN HORNBECK 15, BEN OWNBY 13, ABDUCTED BY
  MICHAEL DEVLIN BOTH FOUND ALIVE
• JESSICA LUNDSFORD 14, (FLORIDA) ABDUCTED RIGHT
  OUT OF HER HOUSE BY SEXUAL PREDATOR LIVING ACROSS
  THE STREET. SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND BURIED ALIVE.

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PREVENTION TIPS

• Education Awareness (age appropriate)
• Can not watch your kids 24-7
• Educate and Empower your children not to become
  victims
• Practice techniques over and over repetition so
  it becomes second nature
• Child ID kit (photos, videos, dental records)
• Do not put your childs name on Exterior clothes,
  books or any object which would allow a stranger
  to get verbally intimate with your child.
• Never allow your child to go into a public
  restroom alone

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Teach Your Children

• Their full names, addresses and phone numbers.
• How to make a long distance call (both directly
  to you using the area code and by dialing 0 for
  the operator or dialing 911).
• Never go into anyones home without your
  permission. Establish a Safe Home Program in
  your neighborhood. Children should know what
  homes they are allowed to enter.

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Teach Your Children

• If they become separated from you while shopping
  not to look for you, but to go to the nearest
  checkout counter and ask the clerk, (1) if he or
  she works there, and (2 ) for assistance. Never
  go to the parking lot!
• To walk with and play with others. The child is
  most vulnerable when alone. If your child walks
  to school, have him/her walk with other children.
• Adults do not usually ask children for
  directions. If someone should stop in a car
  asking for directions, the child should not go
  near the car.

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Teach Your Children

• If they are followed, they should go to a place
  where there are other people, to a neighbors
  home or into a store. They should ask for help.
  They should not try to hide behind bushes or
  other structure.
• Never to go near a car with someone in it never
  to get into car without your permission. They
  should know in whose car they are allowed to
  ride. Warn your children that someone might try
  to lure them into a car by saying you said to
  pick them up. Tell them never to obey such
  instructions. (Code Word / Phrase)

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Teach Your Children

• A stranger is someone they and you do not know
  very well.
• Never to tell anyone over the phone they are home
  alone.
• Never answer the door when home alone. Make sure
  that they know a neighbor they can call if
  someone tries to get into the house or if there
  is an emergency. To call (911 or your local
  police or sheriffs number).

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Teach Your Children

• To tell you if an adult asks them to keep a
  secret.
• No one has the right to touch them or make them
  feel uncomfortable. They have the right to say
  no.
• To tell you if someone offers them gifts or money
  or wants to take their picture.
• To yell HELP, not just scream!

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As Parents We Should

• Know your childrens friends.
• Never leave children unattended never leave
  children in a car.
• Be involved in your childrens activities.
• Listen when your child tells you they do not want
  to be with someone there may be a reason you
  should know about.
• Notice when some one shows your child a great
  deal of attention and find out why.

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As Parents We Should

• Be sensitive to changes in your childrens
  behavior or attitudes. Encourage open
  communications. Never belittle any fear or
  concern your child may express to you.
• Take a photograph of your child each year (four
  times a year for children under age 2 ).
• Have a set plan with your child outlining what
  he/she should do if you become separated away
  from home.

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As Parents We Should

• Do not buy items that have your childs name on
  them such as hats, jackets, and t-shirts.
• An abductor could start up a friendly
  conversation with your child after reading the
  childs name.
• Make a game of reading license plate numbers and
  remembering their colors. This will help children
  recognize the numbers and letters on license
  plates and their states of origin.

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As Parents We Should

• Be sure the childrens daycare center or school
  will not release children to anyone but the
  childrens parents or persons they designate.
  Instruct the school to call you if your child is
  absent.
• All ages including teens (truancy / juvenile
  deliquescence)
• Hanging out with the wrong crowd
• Drug / alcohol abuse
• Boredom / curiosity risky behavior / or
  criminal activity

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CRIMES COMMITTED BY CHILDREN

• CAR AND GARAGE HOPPING
• IS A SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENSE WITH SERIOUS LIFE
  ALTERING CONSEQUENCES