Safety & Crime Prevention Tips Archives - The Cleveland Police Foundation

Safety Tips for Victims Who Have Left Their Abusers

Lake Network — Wed, 04 May 2022 11:28:59 +0000

This is the final installment on our series on domestic abuse.

Change the locks on your doors. Install steel/metal doors, a security system, smoke detectors and an outside lighting system.
Get caller ID for your telephones so you can screen your calls.
Consider getting a post office box for your mail.
Learn about your legal rights and options. If you have legal papers, keep copies of them with you at all times.
Tell neighbors, friends, landlords or coworkers that your abusive partner no longer lives with you. Share your safety plan with people you trust. Explain it to your children.
Tell your employer/coworkers about your situation and ask them to screen your calls, move your desk, change your work schedule/hours or accompany you to the car.
Tell the school, day care or others who spend time with your children who can pick them up and who can’t. If you have a protective order, make sure they know about it.
Vary your routes to work, to school or day care, to the grocery store and other places you frequent.
Call a friend or someone else who will be supportive if or when you feel ready to return to an abusive partner.
Remember you and your children’s safety should be your main concern.

(FINAL INSTALLMENT)

Domestic Violence Series

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The Cleveland Police Foundation, in partnership with the Cleveland Division of Police and the Ohio Crime Prevention Association present these tips so citizens can help to make our community safer.

Domestic Violence: Plan for Safety

Lake Network — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 09:05:45 +0000

Part 2 of our series on domestic violence

Hide money, spare keys and a small bag of clothes at work or at a friend’s house. For small children, hide a favorite toy or stuffed animal that will comfort them.
Inform your employer about the situation and develop a safety plan at work. Share a photo and description of the abuser with them and any pertinent legal documentation, such as a protection order.
Document the abuse by taking photos of bruises and injuries, tell your doctor and get copies of your medical records, save threatening voicemails, notes and e-mails and write each incident down in a journal.
Gather important documents such as passports, birth certificates, social security cards, insurance papers, work permits or green cards, ownership documents for car and/ or house, checkbooks and bank account numbers. Hide these papers at work or at a friend’s house. Know the abuser’s social security number, birth date and place of birth.
Consider obtaining a protection order. It directs the abuser not to contact, communicate with, attack, sexually assault or telephone you, your children or other family members. If you have a protection order, carry a copy of it with you at all times.

Continued next week!

Domestic Violence Series

Domestic Violence: Safety with an Abuser

Lake Network — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 02:42:50 +0000

No one deserves to be abused. Hopefully if you are being abused, you will be able to find a way to safely get out of the abusive relationship. However, the reality is that for many different reasons, some victims are not able to leave an abusive relationship once the abuse begins. If you’re in a physically abusive relationship, please consider the following tips to help try to keep you and your children safe until the time comes when you are able to leave.

DURING THE VIOLENCE

The abuser may have patterns to his/her abuse. Try to be aware of any signs that show she/he is about to become violent so that you can assess how dangerous the situation may be for you and your children.
If it looks like violence may happen, try to remove yourself and your children from the situation before the violence begins.
Be aware of anything the abuser can use as a weapon. Keep any sharp or heavy objects that she/he may use to hurt you out of reach.
Figure out where the “safer places” are in your home – the places where there aren’t weapons within arm’s reach. If it looks like the abuser is about to hurt you, try to get to a safer place.
If the abuser does start to harm you, don’t run to where the children are; the abuser may hurt them too.
If there’s no way to escape the violence at that moment, make yourself a small target. Dive into a corner and curl up into a ball. Protect your face and put your arms around each side of your head, wrapping your fingers together.
Try not to wear scarves or long jewelry. The abuser could use these things to strangle you.

Continued next week!

Domestic Violence Series

Gun Safety: Talking With Your Child About Guns

Lake Network — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:00:01 +0000

HOW DO I TALK TO MY CHILD ABOUT GUNS?

While there is no specific age to talk to a child about gun safety, a good time to introduce the subject is when he or she shows an interest in firearms. This interest can come from family members, friends, toy guns, video games or television shows or movies. Talking openly and honestly about gun safety with your child is usually more effective than just ordering him or her to “Stay out of the gun closet” and leaving it at that. Such a statement may just stimulate a child’s natural curiosity to investigate further.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS PRETEND VS. REAL LIFE WITH MY CHILD?

Children often see characters shot and “killed” with well-documented frequency on TV and in the movies. When that child sees the same actor appear in next week’s episode, or another movie or TV show, confusion between entertainment and real life may result. In many video games, players actively shoot other characters with no personal consequences. The player can simply hit the reset button to bring themselves and other characters back to life. Do not assume that your child knows the difference between being “killed” on TV or in a video game and the reality of gun violence. Having toy guns in the house is a decision each parent should make. If your child has toy guns, you may want to use them to explain how they differ from genuine firearms. Make sure you tell them to never assume a gun they see or find is a toy.

Gun Safety Series

What is a Neighborhood Watch?

CPF Editor — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:50:02 +0000

This is part one of a series of articles about Neighborhood Watch programs.

Each day, crime and the fear of crime threaten communities. Residents change their plans and lifestyles based on the fear of going out after dark. Parents and children are afraid to use local parks where criminals meet, and businesses refuse to put shops in areas they believe are unsafe. It often seems as if nothing can be done to make neighborhoods safer places to live and work.

But something can be done. Neighborhood Watches and community mobilization offer citizens the ability to work with law enforcement to prevent, and rid, neighborhoods of vandalism and crime. Proven to be one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime, Neighborhood Watches encourage residents to join together and be aware of activities around them in their daily lives.

WHY DO RESIDENTS MOBILIZE?

To get something done about an immediate problem
To problem solve on future goals
To gather resources for community needs
To improve the quality of life in their community

We invite your inquiry for more information about Neighborhood Watch programs. Contact Officer Tim Riley at (216) 623-5080.

(CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)

Neighborhood Watch Article Series

Part One: “What is a Neighborhood Watch?”
Part Two: “A Neighborhood Watch is Not…”
Part Three: “Organizing a Neighborhood Watch”
Part Four: “The Neighborhood Watch Meeting”
Part Five: “The Role of Neighborhood Watch Members”
Part Six: “Neighborhood Watch: Solving Problems”
Part Seven: “What Motivates Neighborhood Watch Members”
Part Eight: “How Neighborhood Watches Grow”

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The Cleveland Police Foundation, in partnership with the Cleveland Division of Police and the Ohio Crime Prevention Association present these tips so citizens can help to make our community safer.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility. Invest in a Safe Community by becoming a community partner at
https://www.clevelandpolicefoundation.org/community-partners/

Child Abuse Prevention Article Series

Lake Network — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 13:46:34 +0000

Child Abuse Prevention Series:

Child Abuse Prevention Tips
Tips to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

Child Abuse Prevention Tips

Tips for helping other parents in the community and vulnerable children in being mindful and examining the way you discipline your children.

Volunteer your time. Get involved with other parents in your community. Help vulnerable children and their families.
Discipline your children thoughtfully. Never discipline your child when you are upset. Give yourself time to calm down.
Examine your behavior. Abuse is not just physical. Both words and actions can inflict deep, lasting wounds.
Educate yourself and others. Simple support for children and parents can be the best way to prevent child abuse. After-school activities, parent education classes and mentoring programs are some of the many ways to keep children safe from harm.
Teach children their rights. When children are taught they are special and have the right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault, and more likely to report an offender.
Support prevention programs. Too often, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported. Greater investments are needed in programs that have been proven to stop the abuse before it occurs – such as family counseling.
Know what child abuse is. Physical and sexual abuse clearly constitute maltreatment, but so do neglect, failure of parents or other caregivers to provide a child with needed food, clothing, and care. Children can also be emotionally abused when they are rejected, berated, or continuously isolated.
Know the signs. Unexplained injuries aren’t the only signs of abuse. Depression, fear of a certain adult, difficultly trusting others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and hostility are often signs of family problems and may indicate a child is being neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.
Report abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse, make a report to your state’s child protective services department or local police.
Invest in kids. Encourage leaders in the community to be supportive of children and families.

Tips to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

How to keep calm and keep your baby safe.

REMEMBER THE 10- FOOT RULE: When you are very frustrated or angry, make sure the baby is in a safe place and then stay 10 feet away from the baby until you have calmed down.
I-AM-A-GOOD- PARENT-LIST: Write down at least 3 reasons why you are a good parent. Put the list up where you can see it and refer to it on those days when you are pulling your hair out.
SING AWAY THE STRESS: Learn to sing a lullaby. Singing a family song over and over again can calm the baby down – and you, too.
GRAB THE PHONE, NOT THE BABY: Have a list of 3 people you can call when the stress of parenting is getting to you. Often, a 10-minute conversation with a person who really listens can make all the difference.
MOVE AND BREATHE: When you are having a difficult day, exercise can really help. Wrap the baby up and go outside. Just getting out of the house for a few minutes can relieve stress.
REMEMBER TO LAUGH: Laughter is a great stress reliever.
TAKE A BREAK: Make time for yourself to do something that you enjoy. Caring for a baby is hard work. You deserve it and this daily investment will make you a better parent.
WHO’S WATCHING: Make sure the baby sitter you use can be trusted whether he or she is family or friend.

Child Abuse Safety Tips: Tips for Intervention

Lake Network — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:58:32 +0000

SHOW EMPATHY FOR THE PARENT: There is no need to be judgmental or offensive. Losing one’s cool doesn’t make them a bad parent; it may simply mean that the parent has reached the end of the rope in a very long hectic day.
EXERCISE COMMON SENSE: A parent’s gentle slap of the hand of a youngster who dives into the candy bin can be an appropriate form of discipline. However, hitting a small child about the head and face, or shaking a baby is not appropriate and a call to 911 should immediately be made.
QUICKLY AND DISCREETLY DE-ESCALATE A TENSE SITUATION: Avoiding the situation sends the message to the parent and the child that it is acceptable to lose control and strike out at another person.
BE READY IN AN EMERGENCY: We’ve all witnessed the screaming-child-in-the-supermarket scenario. Most parents take the typical tantrum in stride. But some may become overwhelmed. Prevent Child Abuse America suggests the following tips if you encounter a parent under pressure:
- Talk to the adult to get their attention away from the child. Be friendly.
- Say something like, “Children can really wear you out, can’t they?”
- Ask if you can help in any way.
- If you see a child alone in a public place, for example unattended in a grocery cart, stay with the child until the parent returns.

Child Abuse Series:

Winter Safety Tips: The Art of Falling Safely

Lake Network — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 12:03:36 +0000

STAY BENT
The moment you sense you’ve lost your balance, get ready to fall with bent elbows and knees. When people panic they become rigid, and you are most likely to fall on an outstretched hand which could result in a broken wrist or elbow.

PROTECT YOUR HEAD
If you’re falling forward, be sure to turn your face to the side. If you are falling backward tuck your chin to your chest, so your head doesn’t hit the ground.

LAND ON THE MEAT
If you find yourself falling, try to land on the meaty parts of your body – the muscles in your back, butt or thighs. If you keep your knees and elbows bent and look to land on muscle you’ll be less likely to crack your elbows, knees, tailbone or hips.

KEEP FALLING
When you fall your instinct will be to stop your body as quickly as you can. But your safest route is to keep rolling because the more you give in to the fall, the safer it will be. Spread the impact across a larger part of your body and don’t concentrate impact on one area.

Winter Safety Tips Series

Tips to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome

Lake Network — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 14:02:48 +0000

REMEMBER THE 10- FOOT RULE: When you are very frustrated or angry, make sure the baby is in a safe place and then stay 10 feet away from the baby until you have calmed down.
I-AM-A-GOOD- PARENT-LIST: Write down at least 3 reasons why you are a good parent. Put the list up where you can see it and refer to it on those days when you are pulling your hair out.
SING AWAY THE STRESS: Learn to sing a lullaby. Singing a family song over and over again can calm the baby down – and you, too.
GRAB THE PHONE, NOT THE BABY: Have a list of 3 people you can call when the stress of parenting is getting to you. Often, a 10-minute conversation with a person who really listens can make all the difference.
MOVE AND BREATHE: When you are having a difficult day, exercise can really help. Wrap the baby up and go outside. Just getting out of the house for a few minutes can relieve stress.
REMEMBER TO LAUGH: Laughter is a great stress reliever.
TAKE A BREAK: Make time for yourself to do something that you enjoy. Caring for a baby is hard work. You deserve it and this daily investment will make you a better parent.
WHO’S WATCHING: Make sure the baby sitter you use can be trusted whether he or she is family or friend.

Child Abuse Series:

Child Abuse Prevention Tips

Lake Network — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:45:53 +0000

Volunteer your time. Get involved with other parents in your community. Help vulnerable children and their families.
Discipline your children thoughtfully. Never discipline your child when you are upset. Give yourself time to calm down.
Examine your behavior. Abuse is not just physical. Both words and actions can inflict deep, lasting wounds.
Educate yourself and others. Simple support for children and parents can be the best way to prevent child abuse. After-school activities, parent education classes and mentoring programs are some of the many ways to keep children safe from harm.
Teach children their rights. When children are taught they are special and have the right to be safe, they are less likely to think abuse is their fault, and more likely to report an offender.
Support prevention programs. Too often, intervention occurs only after abuse is reported. Greater investments are needed in programs that have been proven to stop the abuse before it occurs – such as family counseling.
Know what child abuse is. Physical and sexual abuse clearly constitute maltreatment, but so do neglect, failure of parents or other caregivers to provide a child with needed food, clothing, and care. Children can also be emotionally abused when they are rejected, berated, or continuously isolated.
Know the signs. Unexplained injuries aren’t the only signs of abuse. Depression, fear of a certain adult, difficultly trusting others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and hostility are often signs of family problems and may indicate a child is being neglected or physically, sexually, or emotionally abused.
Report abuse. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse, make a report to your state’s child protective services department or local police.
Invest in kids. Encourage leaders in the community to be supportive of children and families.

Child Abuse Series:

Child Abuse Safety Tips: Who is Required to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Lake Network — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 15:30:25 +0000

These people are legally required to report child abuse or neglect:

Medical practitioners
Nurses
Dentists
Social service counselors and therapists
Psychologists
Medical examiners
Pharmacists
School personnel
Child care providers
Law enforcement officers
Juvenile probation officers
Corrections employees
DSHS employees
Placement and liaison specialists
Responsible living skills program staff
HOPE center staff
State family and children ombudsman
Adults residing with a child suspected to have been severely abused

Continued next week.

Child Abuse Series:

“Hoppin” is Not What You Think

Lake Network — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:16:44 +0000

The Shaker Heights Police Department tells this story about arresting two young men from Cleveland who were caught in Shaker Heights entering unlocked cars after dark. Their explanation for why they were targeting Shaker Heights reinforced a common request from all police departments – lock your car doors!

They call it “hoppin” or “car hoppin,” as if it were a game kids play for fun and sadly reinforcing that the jargon is common knowledge among young men and women who have criminal intent. Hoppin is the practice of going car to car looking for one that is unlocked. The belief is that residents in the suburbs do not lock their cars, leaving items of value ripe for the taking. One young man bragged about his group of friends making hundreds of dollars a week taking money, credit cards, and other valuable items. Remarkably, they even talked about how kids will routinely switch what city they target to avoid police scrutiny. Another boasted that almost half the cars he attempted to enter into in a night were be unlocked. So why tell this story?

Both of these kids told the officers that they would never break into a car if it was locked. They explained that a break-in would increase the chance of leaving evidence that could be used against them, and that the added time and commotion to break into a car also significantly increases their risk of being caught. Apparently even criminals understand risk, and often do simple things because they can! Without knowing they were saying it, these two men provided the needed information to prevent hoppin. Lock car doors, secure your valuables, and shut the garage door at night!

Editor’s Note: Many thanks to our friends at the Shaker Heights PD for sharing this information in order to make our communities safer!