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SAFETY: Keeping Kids Safe In An Unsafe World


Police tell us that public safety is their top priority.

However, many police departments are cutting back due to budget cuts.  This is a wake up call that we all need to be better informed on how to keep our families safe.

Most Americans have a false sense of security. Today the threat of violence occurs frequently in homes, at schools and on our streets. One in three women are victims of domestic violence.  We may feel our children are safe until a bully picks on them; we find drugs in our teen’s bedroom or discover a boyfriend has abused our daughter.

We enjoy where we live until our house is burglarized or our neighbor is the victim of a home invasion. Few of us think we will be a victim of a mugging, random shooting or carjacking.  And, no one wants to think his or her child could be kidnapped and raped. Less of all, we don’t want to think a young person will kill or be killed.

Less police, more crime.

In many cities, crime is on the rise. Adults and parents want their homes, neighborhoods and communities to be safe so children are protected.  However, safety depends on citizen participation, not just the police.

If we are going to stop criminal activity, we have to look at the myths that keep communities locked into crime. When we move beyond myths, we will be able to keep families safe.

Myth #1: Police can keep us safe. The national average is 2.5 police officers for every 1000 citizens*.  It doesn’t make sense to assume police can keep your family safe. The job of police is to react when crimes occur. It is up to citizens to prevent crime and know how to stay safe.

Myth #2: Money can solve our crime problems. Taxpayers spend billions on programs, security, swat teams, training, scanning equipment and surveillance cameras.  Money has not stopped criminal behavior, demand for drugs or violence on our streets.  It takes involved neighbors to keep children safe.

Myth #3: Laws control behavior. Laws have limited power.  Law-abiding citizens obey laws. Criminals pay no attention.  Informed, involved residents have more power than local laws.

Myths have some truth but informed citizens can change community behavior.

The question is… What can we do to ensure our family’s safety? Americans have the power to stay safe, if they know what to do and how to do it.

The goal of this blog is to address concerns and find answers that work for you.

Let’s start a dialogue and get others involved to discuss problems and solutions. The important thing I’ve learned over the years, we can learn a lot from each other.  I need to listen to your concern, share what I’ve learned and hear what others have to say.  We all have different ways of looking at problem solving.  The power to solve an issue is often the result of group input.

Stephanie Mann, is a contributing blogger for JenningsWire, a blogging community created by Annie Jennings.