- Tell your parents
where you are babysitting. Leave them the name,
address and telephone number of the people you are
babysitting for, and what time you will be home.
- Know your employer.
Only accept jobs from people you know or for whom
you have a reliable reference.
- Ask the parents what
time they will be expected home.
- Ask the parents
where the emergency exits, smoke detectors and fire
extinguishers are.
Be sure and get a phone
number of where you can reach the parents while they
are away.
- Do not open the door
to a stranger.
- Don’t let anyone
know at the door or on the phone that you are there
alone. If asked, tell them you are there visiting
and the parents can’t come to the phone right now.
- Do not go outside to
investigate suspicious noises or activities. Turn on
the lights and call the police. Be sure all doors
and windows are locked.
- If you plan to take
the children to the park or anywhere else, make sure
you have a house key and lock the doors and windows
before leaving.
- If you ever feel
uneasy or suspicious about something you hear, don’t
hesitate to call the police.
- You should try to
take a first aid class and/or take a babysitting
class.
Babysitter Checklist (.pdf
file)
Coloring Pages
Here are some coloring pages for you to do.
Juvenile Referrals & Support
Services
The purpose of the Illinois Juvenile
Court Act is to secure for each minor such care and
guidance as will serve the safety, moral, emotional,
mental, and physical welfare of the minor and the best
interests of the community, including to preserving and
strengthening the minor’s family ties whenever
possible. With this in mind, the juvenile detective
uses these criteria when determining how to handle each
juvenile situation. The juvenile detective has several
options available to them, depending upon the individual
situation that presents itself. These include informal
and formal station adjustments, referrals to the Youth
Service Bureau, Ben Gordon Center or the Department of
Children and Family Services. In special circumstances
suggestions for outside private counseling may be
offered. The decisions are based upon consideration for
the welfare of the youth and the individual family
circumstances, as well as the benefits to our community
as a whole.
Since January 1st, 1999, the role of the
juvenile detective has changed considerably.
Legislature change at that time gave additional powers
and responsibilities to the juvenile detective in
handling juvenile offenders who are arrested, referred
for prosecution or otherwise set up for a conference.
The DeKalb Police Department’s Juvenile Division often
handles minor juvenile offenses or first time offenders
through an informal station adjustment process. A
conference is set up through the patrol division for the
juvenile offender and parent or parents to meet with a
juvenile detective at a specified time. A list of
restrictions may be placed upon the offender for a
period of 90 days and may include counseling at another
agency, in order to defer the juvenile from court.
The juvenile offender may also be placed on formal
station adjustments, which is 120 days and more often
includes more restrictions, guidelines, and/or community
restitution service hours to help the youth better
utilize their time and help them avoid any further
trouble. During the process of informal and formal
station adjustments, the parents are requested for their
input to the situation. Many times their concerns and
suggestions are added to the station adjustment. In
both situations, the type of crime dictates what
restrictions are placed on the juvenile and may include
restitution for lost or stolen property or criminal
damage. For the more serious or repeat offenders, a
referral to the State’s Attorney’s office is made. The
State’s Attorney can then review the case refer it to
probation’s diversion program or file a petition in
juvenile court for prosecution. Other offenders for
curfew and alcohol related offenses may be handled
through a city ordinance complaint and the juvenile may
be sent directly to municipal court. Other cases, such
as runaways, delinquent minors or minors requiring
authoritative intervention may be handled through a
referral to the Youth Service Bureau, Ben Gordon Center
or other agency.
During 2005 the DeKalb Police Department arrested 324
juvenile offenders. From these arrests, there were
80 conferences set up for the juvenile detective to meet
with the juvenile offender and parent(s), which resulted
in 54 informal station adjustments and 26 formal station
adjustments. Additionally, there were 125
juveniles referred to the State's Attorney.
The juvenile detective division often deals with youths
and parents with problems or concerns that are not
criminal in nature. In these circumstances, the parent
or youth may contact the police department for a special
service. The juvenile division will work with the
family to set up an appropriate referral such as to DCFS,
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Family Service Agency or a
private institution. The goal of the juvenile detective
division is to meet the needs of the youth, their family
and the community by providing the appropriate referrals
or services.
Keep
Your Child Safe On-Line
How Do You Keep Your Child Safe Online?
There is a whole new world for kids - and for you as a
parent. The online world offers children experiences
that are both educational and rewarding; however, the
Internet can also present unsafe situations. If your
child is planning or currently using the Internet there
are few safety tips you as a parent should take.
What Can Parents Do?
Learn About The Internet. If you are just starting
out, you might want to go research what is available in
the "Internet" world at the library, schools, or even at
a computer store.
Get Involved. Spend time online with your
child. Your involvement in your child's life, including
his or her use of the Internet, is the best insurance
you can have of your child's safety.
Stay Informed. Keep yourself informed about
the parental control tools that can help you keep your
child safe on the Internet, as well as the increasing
types of dangers and risks for children and young
people.
Become An Advocate For Kids. If you see
material or practices you do or do not like, contact
your Internet Service Provider (the company that
provides you with a connection to the Internet) or the
company that created the material.
The Internet poses new challenges for parents
because, unlike television, radio, and videos, the
Internet:
Is
interactive - your child can interact with anyone
else online from your home or school.
It allows any user,
anywhere, to post any information, including
materials that are inaccurate, misleading and
inappropriate for children.
It provides no
restrictions on advertising to children.
It is not always
anonymous - even when you might think it is.
E-Mail
E-mail is the most popular application on the
Internet. It allows your child to communicate with other
people from anywhere in the world. E-mail can keep you
in touch with teachers, family and friends; get help
with homework; establish mentoring relationships;
practice and improve writing skills, and make world-wide
pen pals.
Here are a few steps to protect your child on the
Internet.
- Share your child's email account and password.
- Talk with your child about the people he or she
is meeting online.
- Set a rule that your child never arranges an
in-person meeting without you present.
- Complain to the sender of unsolicited email and
to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about
unwanted email.
- Special parental control tools have been
developed. These tools, although not perfect by any
means, will allow you to:
- Route your child's email first to your
account.
- Reject email from specific email
addresses.
- Limit email with offensive language and
personal information from being sent and
received.
Safety Skills For Children
The DeKalb Police
Department is always concerned for the welfare of our
children. Here are a few safety tips you should teach
your child.
- Make sure your child knows their full
name, address and phone number.
- Go over how to make emergency phone
calls.
- Work out an escape plan in case of a
fire.
- Show your child where they can go if an
emergency occurs – such as a neighbor.
- Explain to your child what a stranger
is.
- Teach your child about good touch/bad
touch.
- Tell your child if it feels weird it
probably is. Remind them that they can talk
to you about anything.
- Tell your child to never walk alone and
stay in well lit areas.
- Tell your child never to accept a ride
or gifts from a stranger.
- Make sure your child is taking the
safest route to and from school.
- Post phone numbers near your telephone –
work, police, fire, neighbor.
- Have your child check in with you or
designee when they arrive home from school.
- Set up a code word in the event you have
someone else picking up your child.
- Tell your child to never open the door
to a stranger when they are home alone.
Caution them about answering the phone –
what they should say, etc.
- Don’t lose sight of your child in public
places.
- Remind your child that if they become
lost to find a store clerk or police officer
and wait with that person until you arrive.
- If your child finds themselves in a
dangerous situation tell them to yell for
help ("This is not my mom or dad" and run to
a store or house of someone they trust. Tell
them to never run into a deserted area.
Together,
let’s keep our kids safe! |
School Safety Tips
Riding the
Bus
- Have a safe place to wait for your bus,
away from traffic and the street.
- Stay away from the bus until it comes to
a complete stop.
- When being dropped off, exit the bus and
walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep
a safe distance between you and the bus.
Also, remember that the bus driver can see
you best when you are back away from the
bus.
- Use the handrail to enter and exit the
bus.
- Stay away from the bus until the driver
gives his/her signal that it's okay to
approach.
- Be aware of the street traffic around
you. Drivers are required to follow certain
rules of the road concerning school buses,
however, not all do. Protect yourself and
watch out!
|
Walking and Biking to School
- Mind all
traffic signals and/or the crossing guard --
never cross the street against a light, even
if you don't see any traffic coming.
- Walk your
bike through intersections.
- Always use
the Buddy System when walking or riding a
bike to school to and from school.
- Follow all
bicycle rules.
- If someone
follows you, get away from them as quickly
as you can. If they follow you in their car,
turn around and go the other way. Be sure
and tell your parents what had happened.
|
Riding in a
Car
- Safety belts are the best form of
protection passengers have in the event of a
crash.
- Everyone needs to be buckled up
properly. That means older kids in seat
belts, younger kids in booster seats and
little kids in child safety seats.
|
Bus Stops
- Stay with a group while waiting at the
bus stop. If someone bothers you, say NO,
then GO, and TELL an adult such as a teacher
or your parent.
- If an adult approaches you for help or
directions, remembers grown-ups should not
be asking children for help!
- If someone offers you a ride, say NO!
Never accept a ride unless your parents have
told it is okay.
|
At School
- Never leave school with someone you
don't know. If someone tells you there has
been an emergency, check first with a
trusted adult, parent or teacher before you
leave with this person.
- If you want to change your plans after
school, check first with your parents. Make
sure you have your parent's permission
before going anywhere.
- Keep your locker locked.
- Know where your belongings are and never
leave them unattended. Always label your
items – bookbag, tennis shoes, gym clothes,
etc.
- Never carry a large amount of cash with
you.
|
Stranger Danger
Rules/Activity Book
Here are some
"Stranger Danger" rules for you to know. Each rule has
an activity for you to do. Click on a rule and print
them out. You will have fun, no doubt!
Stranger Danger Rule #1
"STAY AWAY FROM DANGER… DON’T TALK TO STRANGERS!"
Stranger Danger Rule #2
"REMEMBER THE ADULTS YOU TRUST… CHECK WITH THEM FIRST
YOU MUST!"
Stranger Danger Rule #3
"IT’S OKAY TO YELL… THEN GO RUN AND TELL!"
Stranger Danger Rule #4
"IT’S SAFER WITH TWO… YOUR BUDDY AND YOU!"
Stranger Danger Rule #5
"THERE’S NOTHING TO SAY… JUST WALK AWAY!"
Stranger Danger Rule #6
"WALK WHERE IT’S BRIGHT… YOU’LL GET HOME ALL RIGHT!"
Stranger Danger Rule #7
"DON’T GET IN THE CAR… RUN FAST AND FAR!"
Stranger Danger Rule #8
"DON’T LOSE YOUR COOL… REMEMBER THE RULES!"
Talking To Your Kids About Drugs And Alcohol
The issue of drugs and alcohol can be confusing to
young children. Parents should talk to their children
and drugs and alcohol, and it's not too soon to begin.
National studies show that the average age when a child
first tries marijuana is 12 and alcohol at the age of
11. School programs alone are not enough. Parents must
become involved in helping their children learn the
consequences of drugs. Communication is one of the most
effective tools you can use in helping your child avoid
drug use. Listen carefully. Kids who feel comfortable
talking to their parents are more likely to stay
drug-free.
What do you say?
- Tell them that
you love them and you want them to be healthy
and happy.
- Say you do not
find alcohol and other illegal drugs acceptable.
Many parents never state this simple principle.
- Explain how this
use hurts people. Physical harm - for example,
AIDS, slowed growth, impaired coordination,
accidents. Emotional harm - sense of not
belonging, isolation, paranoia. Educational harm
- difficulties remembering and paying attention.
- Discuss the
legal issues. A conviction for a drug offense
can lead to time in prison or cost someone a
job, driver's license, or college loan.
- Talk about
positive, drug-free alternatives, and how you
can explore them together. Some ideas include
sports, reading, movies, bike rides, hikes,
camping, cooking, games, and concerts. Involve
your kids' friends.
How do you say it?
- Calmly and
openly - don't exaggerate. The facts speak for
themselves.
- Face to face -
exchange information and try to understand each
other's point of view. Be an active listener and
let your child talk about fears and concerns.
Don't interrupt and don't preach.
- Through
"teachable moments" - in contrast to a formal
lecture, use a variety of situations -
television news, TV dramas, books, newspaper.
- Establish an
ongoing conversation rather than giving a
one-time speech.
- Remember that
you set the example. Avoid contradictions
between your words and your actions. And don't
use illegal drugs, period!
- Be creative! You
and your child might act out various situations
in which one person tries to pressure another to
take a drug. Figure out two or three ways to
handle each situation and talk about which works
best.
- Exchange ideas
with other parents.
How can I tell if a child is using drugs?
Identifying illegal drug use may help prevent
further abuse. Possible signs include:
- Change in moods
- more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly
sensitive, inappropriately angry, euphoric.
- Less responsible
- late coming home, late for school or class,
dishonest.
- Changing friends
or changing lifestyles - new interests,
unexplained cash.
- Physical
deterioration - difficulty in concentration,
loss of coordination, loss of weight, unhealthy
appearance.
Why do kids use drugs?
Young people say they turn to alcohol and other
drugs for one or more of the following reasons:
- To do what their
friends are doing.
- To escape pain
in their lives.
- To fit in.
- Boredom.
- For fun.
- Curiosity.
- To take risks.
Take A Stand!
- Educate yourself
about the facts surrounding alcohol and other
drug use. You will lose credibility with your
child if your information is not correct.
- Establish clear
family rules against drug use and enforce them
consistently.
- Develop your
parenting skills through seminars, networking
with other parents, reading, counseling, and
support groups.
- Work with other
parents to set community standards - you don't
raise a child alone.
- Volunteer at
schools, youth centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, or
other activities in your community.
For More Information
- State and local
government drug use prevention, intervention,
and treatment agencies.
- State and local
law enforcement agencies.
- Private drug use
treatment service listed in the telephone book
Yellow Pages.
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug
Information (NCADI)
http://www.health.org
P.O. Box 2345
Rockville, MD 20847-2345
800-729-6686
301-468-2600
Fax: 301-468-6433 |
