About Safe Way/Safe Home (Child Safety Program)

"Do It For The Kids"

INTRODUCTION

Crimes against children (kidnapping, rape, child abuse, robbery, assault) appear to be rising.

Hundreds of thousands of children in the United States are reported missing each year. Some are runaways. Others are abducted by strangers or parents. Between 20,000 and 50,000 cases of missing children remain unsolved each year.

These frightening and tragic figures emphasize the need to protect our children. When schools work with students and their parents, and parents work with their children, the frightening number of children who are abducted or exploited can be drastically reduced.

This brochure presents a program in which schools, parents, police and community work together to attack the problem.

SAFE WAY/SAVE HOME is the joint endeavor of community organizations and the 47th Precinct. It is a New York City Police Department approved child safety program sanctioned by (Community Affairs) Commissioner Holiday. It has been honored by the Bronx District Attorney's Crime Victims Bureau. It has been awarded grants by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services under the Neighborhood Preservation Crime Prevention Act.


THE SAFE WAY/SAFE HOME PROGRAM

SWSH is designed to deter crimes against elementary school children. The program has two phases.

Phase 1 - Safety

The safety portion of the program utilizes volunteers to oversee elementary school children on their way to and from school (Safe Way). It also provides for sanctuaries (Safe Homes and Businesses) into which children can go to call police whenever they are in danger or feel threatened. These Safe Homes function not only during school hours, but at all other times. They are, however, for use only by elementary school children since the general public views adolescents and adults as potentially threatening.

Phase 2 - Education in Safety

Police officers or other trained personnel go to schools to give instruction to children on safety emphasizing how to avoid becoming victims of crime. Presentation are often made in a McGruff Dog costume. Films are also available and may be borrowed by school personnel.

Principals must request these presentations.


VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are primarily recruited through assemblies or meetings called by the principal or PTA. All potential volunteers fill out an application which subjects them to a police background check. Once the precinct has approved the volunteer an official identification card is issued.

Churches and organizations in the community, as well as businesses, are also used as sources for attracting volunteers.


INSIGNIA

The program's insignia is the McGruff crime dog, which is already known to most children. The colors are yellow and black.


DETAILS

SAFE WAY: Volunteers are divided into three categories: Stationary, walking, and driving patrollers.

1. Stationary patrollers are volunteers who choose to stand along a route used by children to go to school.

2. Walking patrollers are volunteers who usually walk their children to school and are willing to keep an eye out for other children.

Stationary and walking patrollers are issued McGruff crime dog buttons.

(Children are instructed at safety sessions held in their schools that they can go to a person wearing the McGruff crime dog button for assistance.)

3. Driving patrollers are those who drive their children to school and are willing to keep an eye out for other children.

Driving patrollers wear no button nor show any insignia on the cars. They do carry ID cards as all volunteers do.

(Children are instructed at safety sessions in school never to enter a car whose occupants are unknown to them.)

Safe Homes and Businesses:

These like all volunteers, have been police checked. They display a yellow and black McGruff crime dog decal in a prominent window. Homes are used because in residential areas there are no businesses along the route to school.

Only the first floor of private homes are permitted as Safe Homes to avoid any danger that might be anticipated in apartment buildings.

Children are taught at safety sessions held in their schools that they can go into a place displaying the decal to call police if they feel threatened or need help.


VOLUNTEER DUTIES

Basically Safe Way volunteers are asked to do nothing more than observe what is happening to children. They are not monitors and should not interfere with normal goings on among children.

If a child approaches them with a problem they should either call the police or take the child to the school's principal. If they observe anything suspicious, even if the child does not ask for help, they should immediately call the police.

Safe Homes and Businesses act as safe havens for children by permitting them to call police, or calling police for them.


CALLING POLICE

When a child is in immediate danger (being pulled into a car, being mugged, etc.), dial 911. Give exact location. Try to note license plate number, color or make of car, description of assailant, etc.. Observations are important.

When the danger is not immediate ("I think I am being followed." or "That man took my picture." or "That person is exposing himself.) call the 47th Precinct 920-1211. Follow up your call later by contacting SWSH at the precinct 920-1201 or 1202.


COORDINATORS

Each school is asked to provide one or two people called coordinators whose duties include soliciting for more volunteers within the school.

COMMUNICATIONS

Principals, coordinators or PTA presidents are notified of suspicious persons or potential problems reported by volunteers in schools other than their own. Communications of this type are also sent to community organizations, churches, businesses and all those who participate in the program.


"DO IT FOR THE KIDS"

SWSH need you. You do not need a child in school to wear the McGruff crime dog button. It can be worn at all times, not only during school hours. Seniors can apply. Safe Homes and Businesses are also needed. There is no cost. Please volunteer. Call the Community Affairs office of the 47th Precinct - 920-1202.


CHILD ABUSE

Report all cases of suspected child abuse (both physical and sexual). Call the 47th Precinct - 920-1201, or call the N.Y State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register - 800-342-3720 which is manned 24 hours a day.


PERMIT US TO HELP YOU

In 1984, when the 47th Precinct instituted the SWSH program, it received wide media coverage both in print and on TV. Dozens of phone calls were received from precincts and community groups around the city. Clearly, there is a need for such a program.

In the best interest of the children of the City of New York, the 47th is prepared to share its experience. Our "Guidelines for Volunteers" and our "Registration Form" are available on request. Please call or write.


COMPLIMENTS OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OFFICERS - 47th Precinct, 4111 Laconia Avenue, Bronx, New York 10466. (920-1202)