PROJECT CHILDSAFE - GUN LOCKS

The Twin Cities Police will provide 1,100 free firearm safety kits to Corte Madera and Larkspur residents. The safety kits, which include a gun lock, were acquired through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. The safety kits will be available free of charge at the Larkspur police facility at 250 Doherty Dr.

Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), will distribute millions of firearm safety kits throughout the country over the next year. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, with additional funding provided by the firearms industry.

"We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm," said Det. Patrick Torres. "Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock. The locks fit on most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home."

By partnering with Project ChildSafe, the Twin Cities Police is participating in a growing national effort to promote firearms safety education to all gun owners. Project ChildSafe will distribute gun lock safety kits to all 50 states and the five U.S. territories.

"We are pleased to have the Twin Cities Police as Project ChildSafe partners," said DeeDee Dockins, spokesperson for the program. "Project ChildSafe is an important step forward in helping ensure that all firearm owners fully understand their responsibilities with respect to the safe handling and storage of firearms."

Compared to other age groups, people 65 and over have the lowest rates for most types of crime, with a few exceptions such as purse snatching. We all greatly fear crimes of violence, but these are the ones that happen least often. Most murders and assaults are committed by relatives or friends, not by strangers. Statistics aside, when older people are victimized-even by a minor crime- the effect can be physically, emotionally and even financially devastating.

It is that time of year when school is almost out and kids will be spending more time at home, unsupervised. If you are one of the millions of households with a home computer, this means that your child may be spending more time "on-line". Parents must be aware that there are a few risks to children using online services that include exposure to inappropriate material such as pornography, and graphic language/suggestive writings, physical molestation, and harassment such as obnoxious or threatening messages.

A computer allows strangers into your house. Children using the "chat" rooms can obtain a false sense of security and are susceptible to requests for personal information about themselves or their families. The other "kids" in the chat room are often really adults, possibly a child predator, trying to lure your child and gain their friendship, eventually ending in a face-to-face meeting.

Following are tips for you and your child on how to enjoy the Internet, while maintaining your privacy and safety.

1. Never give personal information to anyone online, such as your address, phone number, parent's names, birthday, school, and hours you get out of school or time your parents get home from work.

2. Never send pictures of yourself to anyone you meet online.

3. Never respond to messages or bulletin board ads that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or that make you feel uncomfortable. Just like if this happened in person, it is important children tell their parents about this.

4. Never agree to "meet" with someone you have befriended online without your parent's permission. If your parents agree to the meeting, be sure they are with you and it is in a public place.

5. Some places on the Internet are ADULTS only. If you find yourself in one of those areas, LEAVE and go to one of the cool places on the Internet for kids. Use the "parental discretion" options where necessary to block these areas.

6. There are some programs such at NETNANNY that are commercially available that can block the blatant cites a child may visit.

7. Keep the computer in a common area in the house so that you can monitor your child.

8. Tell your child that you have the ability to check what web sites they visited by reviewing Netscape or Internet explorer, which keep log files.

9. Most importantly, parents need to surf the net with their children. It is important that if your child is computer literate, you need know the basics about what they are doing.

10. Notify the police of all attempts by adults to set up meetings with your child.

SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN

Since there exists a potential for unpleasant and even criminal incidents in any park, playground, mall or recreation facility, we suggest that parents make his/her children aware of safety precautions that should be taken. Discuss the following with your children and tell them to:

1. Take a friend or family member along when going to a park, playground or recreational facility.

2. Get permission before going to a park or other recreation facility. Leave a note if there is no one at home to tell. (They would not like it if they did not know where his/her parents were).

3. Avoid making friends with strangers (people you do not know), even if the stranger calls him/her by name.

4. Avoid talking with strangers:
   1. Don't tell strangers their last or first names, parents' names, where they go to school, where they live, or where their parents work.
   2. Refuse candy, money or other gifts from strangers, and refuse invitations from strangers to see their puppies, kittens or other pets, or to help them look for the animals.
   3. Never walk up to a stranger in a car that calls out to them, asks them to post a sign for them, or asks directions. Adults know not to ask kids to help because of Stranger Danger education.

5. Take a friend when going to use the bathroom.

6. Never leave their group or go with any person without first asking a parent or guardian.

7. Leave the park, mall or recreational area when everyone else leaves. Don't lag behind. If left behind and scared, it would be an okay time to call 9-1-1.

8. Be aware of anyone who persists in asking questions or wanting to talk, and TELL a parent or a known adult about it. Tell the child "YOU are not in trouble" if it happens.

9. Report any situation that does not seem right or is suspicious and makes him/her feel uncomfortable, especially any person loitering or near the playground.

10. Say "no" to, and run away from, any stranger who tries to touch him/her or who tells him/her to remove clothing, or who shows him/her parts of their bodies that are usually covered by a swimsuit. Know that it's okay to tell, and report the incident to a parent or known adult immediately. A child needs to know he/she is not at fault or in trouble. (this reinforcement is very important).

11. Don't swim or play on rides, slides, swings, or other equipment unless a known adult is present and in charge.

12. Parents make sure your child knows his/her home address, phone number, 9-1-1.
13. Parents do not let your child wear clothing that visibly bears his/her name or shows on his/her backpack.

14. Parents make sure your child knows how to use the "0" for operator on the phone in case he/she needs to make a non-emergency call to you and have no money.

TrustLine: Checking Out Child In-home Caregivers

Typically parents leave their children with babysitters or nannies, trusting them with the safety and well-being of their kids. Until recently, parents could only rely on references and word-of-mouth on choosing who would care for their children. Most babysitters are efficient and never have problems, but there have been situations where kids have been mistreated, abused and even killed.

In order to minimize further tragedies, California now has TrustLine, a state government hotline called "TrustLine" that allows parents, for a fee, to run criminal and abuse background checks on potential baby sitters. Caregivers listed with the registry have passed a background screening that includes a fingerprint check of records at the California Department of Justice. This means they have no disqualifying criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse reports in California. An FBI check can also be done for an additional fee.

A caregiver can register with TrustLine prior to employment or a parent can request from a potential sitter, a set of fingerprints along with permission for a criminal history check to be done. As of March 1998, there has been 26, 990 applicants cleared through TrustLine. Additionally, 1,971 were not registered due to criminal activity in their background.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing an in-home caregiver.

1. Check candidates' references and work histories.
2. Interview potential caregivers and observe how they interact and respond to your child/children.
3. Ask open-ended questions to understand how they care for children. Questions such as "how would you handle emergencies?" and "what are your beliefs on discipline?"
4. Ask if they are certified in first aid or CPR?
5. Is their drivers license valid or have they had any accidents?

Trust your instincts. Hire someone you and your children feel comfortable with.

Residential Security Check

The Twin Cities Police regrettably announces we will temporarily suspend our offer of free home security checks. The suspension of these very worthwhile services is due to a personnel shortage. As soon as our personnel shortage is resolved, we will resume our Crime Awareness services.

During the check, a member of the Twin Cities Crime Awareness unit will meet with you at your house and do a survey of the residence. Suggestions will be made on how to make your home more secure from burglary or intruders.

We also have engravers that may be lent out to mark valuables with drivers' license or social security numbers.

Please watch this space, and the local print media for updates on our Crime Awareness offerings.