Safe Communities Corner

The stakes are too high for this to be a case of  "hindsight is always 20/20." Too many parents find themselves in this situation when they realize that their child has been lured in by a predator. Whether a child is targeted online or could be abused by someone they know, the grooming techniques used to gain a child's trust are essentially the same.Look for the 7 P's of Grooming:Praise (flattery): So how do you determine that this is more than just innocent compliments? After all, we all know that our children are beautiful, smart, funny...everything good that a predator…

Several months ago I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time in a classroom with young Dodgers. I was giving a little presentation on online safety to students and parents and I asked the children how many of them talk to friends while they are playing games online. As expected, several students raised their hands. I then posed the question, "how many of you talk to kids you've never actually seen in real life?" Again, the majority of those same kids raised their hands. I ended my line of questioning by asking them if those kids that they've…

When it comes to your children's devices, to spy or not to spy? This is a question that can often invoke a very emotional response. There are passionate arguments on both sides. You can probably guess where those of us here at the Safe Communities Coalition stand on this issue but we do understand why many parents feel as though they would rather respect their children's private devices. I'd ask those parents to bear with me while I pose one question: is your child's online activity truly private? Now, if we were talking about something like a diary or even…

When you think back to Thanksgiving as a child, what are your favorite memories? When I look back, I remember my mom: up early enough that the first scent that crossed my nose as I woke up that morning was the aroma of the turkey in the oven.My siblings and I would have to find ways to pass the time before we were able to use the 'fancy' dishes. We would watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade but even IF it managed to hold or attention, it still wasn't long enough to keep us occupied until dinner. One year I remember…

As parents, our natural instinct is to protect our children at all cost. Time and time again, mothers everywhere wake suddenly early in the morning to watch for the rise and fall of their baby's chest when their infant sleeps through the night for the first time. If a father has to brake suddenly with his teenager in the passenger seat, his arm instinctually reaches out to cross in front of his child in the hopes of shielding them from what might come. The drive to protect our children runs deep. As you lock up your home tonight to keep…

How many times do you find yourself picking up your phone to check something and, before you know it, an hour has passed and the only thing you have accomplished is saving 6 recipes you won't ever make, finding 32 Dollar Tree Christmas craft ideas, and found the magic exercise that guarantees you'll be 30 lbs lighter in a month? We've all been guilty of falling down the rabbit hole that is our phones. Unfortunately, so do our kids, and they are spending almost twice as much time behind screens as adults.Loss of productivity, shortened attention span, and anxiety and…

While we are no longer tethered to the kitchen wall by the telephone, can we really say that we have cut the cord? Nobody can argue with the fact that cell phones have had a tremendous positive impact on society. The ability to contact anyone at any time, immediate access to a wealth of information, constant entertainment, the list could go on and on. But, as Peter Parker's Uncle Ben (or Voltaire) says, "with great power comes great responsibility." From the physical design of the phone itself to the apps you install, almost everything about this pocket-sized computer is designed…

You can't please everyone all the time. This phrase couldn't be more true than in times of conflict. Sometimes, even after keeping your cool, maintaining non-threatening body language, speaking with respect, and exhausting every reasonable solution, there is just no compromise to be found. Anger has overtaken logic and de-escalating the situation has escaped your grasp. Knowing when to disengage becomes your next step. Being able to do so is important for the safety of everyone involved. So how do you know when it is time to step away from the attempt to de-escalate? Let's take a look at the…

Yes, what you say matters. Sticks and stones will break bones and words can make or break your attempt to keep someone from escalating out of control. When approaching someone who is visibly upset, even to the point of anger, it is important that you take control of the conversation. Set boundaries on how you expect to be treated. Let them know that you won't belittle or disrespect them and, if you're going to help them, you expect the same in return. Once you've established that you can move on to the next key principles in de-escalation. Remember, what this…

Did you know that human beings subconsciously mirror each other's demeanor? Think about it for a second; what do you do when someone smiles at you? Chances are, you smile back. What about when someone is waving an angry finger at you? It's natural to get irritated and cross, especially if it's undeserved or unexpected. Emotional maturity is learning to control our natural responses and interact with others in a healthy and productive manner (even if they aren't doing the same). Being aware of how we are responding to someone whose mood is escalating to a point of anger or…