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17-0512SHERIFF OFFERS SUMMER SAFETY TIPSBy Marc RobertsonSocial media, meetings with friends, the lure of indoor and outdoor recreation and weeks with nothing specific on the agenda may be appealing to all youths looking forward to their summer break, but they also bring new dangers of which families may be unaware. La Salle County Sheriff Miguel Rodriguez said this week that he believes parents should take precautions to help prevent their children from becoming victims of crime. “We want everybody to enjoy their summer, whether they stay in town or go on vacation,” the sheriff said. “There are lots of great activities for kids, and we have parks and sports facilities for everybody to enjoy.“At the same time, it is important for everybody to remember some basic safety tips,” the sheriff said, “because we don’t want anybody to get hurt.”Known as ‘Stranger Danger,’ a caution against allowing unknown visitors or drivers to approach children at play or at home has been in use for generations and should now include social media, according to the sheriff and his staff. The message is especially appropriate in an age when many youths spend their summer days at home alone because both parents are at work. “Parents should monitor their children’s activities online and should remind them to be extra careful when communicating with anyone they don’t know personally,” the sheriff said. “There are people who take advantage of children online and who might persuade them to do things or to go to places that they know are not appropriate.”The 81st Judicial District Attorney’s Office hosted a series of educational seminars last year in which prosecutors outlined the means by which predators may approach minors online, through interconnected video games, over social media and at sites often used by youths. The ‘grooming’ techniques used by predators to lure teens away from their safe areas include invitations to parties, offers of drugs and alcohol, free cell phones, and even advertisements for lucrative jobs in modeling. In some cases, prosecutors said, predators have taken advantage of children by employing them for pornography or in the sex trade.“It is never okay for a child to leave the house to go and meet someone that they only ever knew online,” the sheriff said. “This should be a red flag warning. Real friends don’t do anything in secret.”As part of his office’s safety tips to the community at the start of the summer, Sheriff Rodriguez is recommending the following:PARENTSAlways keep track of what sites your children are visiting online and who they communicate with.Always ensure that your children are not text-messaging strangers.Watch for signs of predator grooming, such as expensive gifts or gadgets, extra cell phones, constant or secret text messaging, meetings with people you haven’t met before, and children staying out past curfew.Maintain a curfew and remind children to let you know where they are, who they are with and what time they expect to be home. Check with other parents to ensure that your children are with their friends. Remind children to stay in groups and not to leave anyone behind while walking home or when leaving parks and sports areas. Never leave small children unsupervised. Always ensure that you personally know the adults who are supervising your children. Remind young children never to accept food, drinks, candy or gifts from strangers.Never allow children to swim in a pool or hot tub unsupervised. Always check with other children’s parents whether it is alright for them to swim in your pool. Keep the channels of communication open with your children; encourage them to meet friends, play sports, and enjoy recreational activities. Ask them about their friends and the pastimes they enjoy.If your children are licensed drivers, check their vehicles routinely for signs of misuse.Never provide alcohol or tobacco in your home to youths who are not your own children, even if you believe a ‘safe party zone’ is a better idea than allowing teens to celebrate elsewhere.If other children are visiting your home overnight, always confirm this with their parents and ask if there is any medication they need. Ensure that all parents know where their children are if they are at your house. CHILDRENAlways remember your parents’ or guardians’ phone numbers and addresses. Know how and when to call 911. Know how to describe your location at all times and give the names of people with you. Do not accept any invitations to ride in vehicles, even for a short distance, with any strangers. Never accept gifts, food or candy from strangers. Keep track of who is talking to you on social media. If someone says rude or inappropriate things, or if someone tells you to do something in secret, report them immediately, block them, and leave the site. Never accept invitations to parties, bonfires, get-togethers, barbecues or game nights at a stranger’s house, even if you believe your friends will be there.If you are licensed to drive, never let anyone else drive your vehicle. If you are unable to drive home, call a parent or guardian. When in doubt, call 911 and ask for help from a sheriff’s deputy.Always report any suspicious activity that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and always stay alert to activity that you feel might put your friends at risk. “When the community comes together to help protect our children, everybody wins,” the sheriff said. “Our officers are here to help, and your safety is our priority.” ................
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