To Serve and Protect
To Serve and Protect
If you ever get pulled over and you're not sure it's a real police officer, here are some tips to stay safe. 1. call 911 so they can verify it's a real traffic stop. 2. put your turn signal on to show you are willing to stop. 3. look for markings on the car that real police would have. 4. look for a well-lit area (public if possible) and safe place to pull over and stop once you know it's a real officer.
If someone wants you to open the door and say they are police, here are some tips to stay safe and make sure they are really police. 1. look for a real marked police car outside. 2. Look for a uniform with department patches, badge, and other equipment police would have. 3. call 911 so they can verify that a police officer is really at your door before opening it if you are not sure they are really a police officer.
You can Text 911 almost anywhere now if you need to be discreet. They may ask you if you can call in because it is faster and easier to get the information they need, but you can say no and still text them for help if you need.
Please reach us at constablezarnick@pastatelaw.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Teach your kids to be aware of strangers and if grabbed, approached, etc. to yell really loud "FIRE! HELP! STRANGER DANGER!" over and over again. Teach them to run from strangers and if necessary, fight to stay safe. Also make sure they know not to go with anyone and that you would never send anyone else to come get them even if the stranger lies and says you did. Teach them to never trust a stranger and that bad people lie and will try to trick them. When in doubt, run and shout!
Teach children to be aware of those asking them to keep a secret for any reason. Not all secrets are good, and they should always tell you when someone asks them to keep a secret especially if it does not seem right. Always ask and always tell. Most secrets are not safe. Children should be aware of anyone asking them to keep a secret, especially if they are asked to never tell. It usually is to hide something that is wrong. Also, let them know that they can never be at fault for someone else's wrong.
Teach your children to be aware of inappropriate touching and that they always have the right to feel safe and comfortable. If they are not comfortable with the way someone touches them, teach them to tell that person to please stop that makes me uncomfortable. A good person would not do this to them and would never try to convince them its ok. It's always ok to say please stop! Also make sure they know to always tell others when this happens and that it's not ok to keep this a secret no matter what the person says or threatens. It's always ok to tell.
If something seems wrong, it probably is. Teach your children that its ok to Always Ask and Always Tell! Ask and tell everyone until someone listens.
Look for changes in your child's behavior. This could be a sign of bullying, abuse, or other issues affecting them. Don't be afraid to ask them what is going on and to investigate to see what may be affecting them. Let them know it's ok to talk about. Changes in behavior could be acting distant or quiet, seeming extra tired, uneasy around people or certain places, loss of appetite, loss of interest in things, anxious behavior, acting out and behavior problems, excessive emotion, lack of emotion, or just acting out of character etc. If you think there is a concern, there probably is.
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To Serve and Protect - The People’s Officer