Scenarios
You're at a park, and you break your leg. What are some ways you can get help?
Call 911,
Call a relative or trusted friend,
Ask a bystander for help
What role do police have in a community
Police station provides a range of public services, community programs, and support resources for residents, visitors, and sometimes volunteers.
Crime reporting and case intake
Emergency response coordination
Rescue pursuits and medical emergencies
Traffic enforcement and accident investigation
Emergency and natural disaster relief
Community safety programs
Fingerprinting and background checks
Consult on concerns or personal issues
What can you do before leaving the house to be better prepared
Phone is charged
Tell someone where you're going, with who, and when you plan to be back
Money for emergency needs
Eat or hydrate
Be aware of medication schedule and/or side effects
Severe allergy? take EpiPen with you
What are some things that should not be discussed with strangers
PERSONAL IFORMATION
full name
age and birth date
name of organizations/school/apartment/programs
address /neighborhood/ apartment complex
phone number
social security number
any medical conditions or diagnoses
information about your schedule
Employment
Type of car/bike/bus route
What can you do to protect your information when using an atm?
Don't use it if people seem to be watching or standing too close to you
Cover the pad when putting in a pin
Conceal money quickly, put away
Go with a friend or trusted person
A kid in a grocery store lost their mother. How do you help them?
Go to the front desk (have them page for their mother)
Go to an employee (security, clerk, manager)
What role do fire fighters play in maintaining community safety
Fire stations can provide resources to the community such as assess or install car seats, provide safety programs and training, education on disaster preparedness.
If you end up lost or unable to find your way to your destination, what can you do?
Use your cell phone and call someone to help
If you do not have a phone, find a community helper such as a police officer or business/employee and ask for help.
Retrace your steps back to a known location.
Go to a populated area, ask for directions
What are some red flags in a strangers behavior (not verbal) that may indicate an unsafe person/situation
Standing too close, abnormal boundaries
Seeing someone often in the same places as you
Being overly generous
Following you
Staring at you or your belongings
Moving their body in weird ways, talking jibberish, erratic behavior, hiding their hands,
Touching themselves or others in inappropriate ways
Pressure you into a secluded area or blocking exits
You feel nervous, on edge, or unsafe but not sure why
What can you do to protect yourself from people with bad intentions in the community
Go..
in groups
in day light
during hours other can be reached
be familiar...
with the environment
available safety persona and resources
bring..
phone/communication device
money, don't carry an excess amount of money
You are at the beach and someone comes up to you and starts asking you some personal questions. What do you do?
1. Assess the situation - intent, content of questions, personal space, danger
2. If needed set a boundary, or give vague or situationally appropriate answers, or change the subject
3. Walk away go to a more populated area
4. Get help
- Find your friends
- Ask someone nearby for help
- Look for lifeguard or staff
Be aware of your surroundings body positioning, and belongings
They provide free groceries, hot meals, and sometimes additional support like clothing, hygiene items, and referrals to other services
What is a food pantry, or a soup kitchen
When you are in the community, who's responsibility is it to keep you safe.
Ex. Street, stores, public spaces
Your own!
Organizations have a responsibility to uphold standards of safety and plans for emergency response. But all of us are responsible for being aware of our surroundings, noticing hazards, reporting and avoiding suspicious activity, and taking action to maintain our own safety when needed.
What are some red flags that someone may have access to your money or bank information?
Notification from bank of suspicious activity
Payments or subscriptions that you don't recognize
Money or cards missing from wallet
Balance in bank accounts different than you remember.
Emails or Mails with receipts or notice of unknown expenses
What are signs someone is trying to scam you?
How can you verify?
if it sounds too good to be true
time pressure - indicates urgency
source is not recognizable
- phone, name, email, website. looks off or is not associated with legitamate sources
attempts to bribe you
request for money or personal information
unexpected contact
Verify: Reach out to company, person, or organization directly to ask if this is legitimate. Ask them who they are looking for (verify they are not calling random numbers). Ask for sources and or more information. Ask someone else what they think (a trusted adult).
Do not click unknown links or open attachments
Trust your instincts
At the mall, you notice the same person in the same aisles repeatedly. What do you do?
Tell security,
Call someone to let them know
Go to the employees
Make eye contact with them
What role do Libraries play in communities
They provide access to a wide range of books, Audio books and movies. Supporting academic research, personal learning, and professional development. They offer computers and free internet access, printing, classes, events, programs, job training. Access to information about local community resources. Provide free Wi-Fi and public use of computers and printers. Some have advanced equipment for use like 3D printers
When you move into a new community, how can you orient yourself to protect yourself better?
Familiarize with local resources, and medical centers, and emergency response locations
Be aware of high crime areas and crime type
Get involved in the community, build connections, relationships with others nearby.
Establish local providers for medical, dental, mental health, and other needed providers if possible.
What are some signs that you are making someone else feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
They avoid eye contact
try to create space between you
they may start looking for help
Trying to look busy or saying they need to leave
They may have closed body language
They might tell you
They might threaten you
When using public transportation, ubers, or ride share, how do you protect yourself
Verify they ride/route/provider
Don't talk to others
Leave space between yourself and others if possible
Stay in your own business
Report suspicious activity
Keep your belongings put away and close to you
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Act at the first sign of trouble
Tell a trusted friend or adult when you are traveling and what time you expect to be at your destination, details of the route or driver.
You gave your phone number to someone that you were interested in a friendship with. They begin to text and call you non-stop, asking what your doing, why you don't answer faster, where you are, saying inappropriate things, and overstepping your boundaries. You are uncomfortable and don't want to talk with them anymore.
What can you do?
Tell them your uncomfortable with the conversation
Tell them you need space
Ask them to stop messaging you
Stop responding
Block the number
Tell a trusted friend or adult about the concerns for help navigating it
If issue escalates to harassment or threats can report activity to the police
What roles do Churches play in a community
Can provide spiritual guidance and life teachings, emotional support, social support, sense of belonging, and community mindset.
Some operate food pantries, meal programs, and temporary shelters, and may provide financial assistance for rent, utilities, or medical expenses. Churches also organize free services like health screenings, tax preparation, and career counseling to support community members
Involvement and planning in community events, provide volunteer opportunities, and recreational engagement such as music and choir
Some are advocates for social causes
Describe how to keep yourself safe in a community setting
Pay attention to your surroundings
Keep personal belongings and valuables hidden or put away safe
Don't trust others with your belongings or personal information
Ask for help when you need it
What are some relationship red flags
Asking you to keep secrets
Threatening words or actions
Aggressive words or actions
asking for access financial information or accounts
Dishonesty
Cheating
Pushing or breaking boundaries
Controlling behavior
They threaten to hurt themselves or others if you don't do what they want/stay with them
Patterns of convincing you other people done care about you to create feelings of isolation and dependence
What can you do to present as less of a target to people with bad intentions
Walk with confidence,
head up and eyes attentive
don't be distracted with headphones in both ears, or glued to the phone or a book
what else...