Prevention Works

Making a Difference

Youth violence in the United States is something that cannot be ignored.  From gang violence to school shootings to bullying in schools, there is no wonder youth violence is such a hot topic. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) conducted a survey on youth violence in 2011 and found that 5 percent of high school students had brought a weapon to school in the 30 days prior to the survey. In the same survey it was found that 33 percent of high school students had been in a physical fight in the 12 months before the survey. In the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, the FBI states that juvenile gangs are increasing and that gangs target youth because of their vulnerability and susceptibility to recruitment tactics. Even though the problem is apparent, not everyone knows what he or she can do to help stop the violence. One way that everyone can help out and make a difference is by becoming involved through community service and volunteering.

A few months ago, President Obama called for a National Day of Service. In response, thousands of Americans helped out and volunteered in their communities. Community service has become an important part of our country. Many people are aware of national volunteering opportunities such as the American Red Cross, Neighborhood Watch, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the United Way. In these programs, you can be active in your community and mentor at-risk youth to guide them in a positive way. Even though these national agencies receive the most publicity, there are many other ways to volunteer and become involved in your community, to make a contribution to the community’s school, your city, and your country.

Getting involved can be easy. When I was younger, I volunteered with my local animal shelter. I love animals so this was the perfect opportunity for me; I had fun and I was helping out. There are so many different volunteer opportunities available; the hard part is knowing where to look for them. A great place to start is the United We Serve website, serve.gov. This website can help you find existing volunteer opportunities in your area and help you learn how to start your own service project. Other good places to look are your local school, library, hospital, retirement home, church, or food bank. So get up and get involved.  You can start making a difference in your community today.

For more information on volunteering, visit NCPC’s website at ncpc.org/topics/volunteering.

April 1st kicks off Personal Security Awareness Month

April 1^st kicks off Personal Security Awareness Month (PSAM).  It’s a month designed to raise awareness about personal security options and deliver valuable knowledge and life-saving advice to men and women across the globe. Throughout April, SHOLDIT and other personal protection experts, law enforcement professionals, and companies will partner up to spread the word of PSAM’s mission and inform the public on ways to stay safe. SHOLDIT will also donate ten percent of its online profits in the month of April to the National Crime Prevention Council as a way to help the organization further its efforts to keep people, themselves, and their families safe from crime. 

We had the opportunity to get more information from SHOLDIT about PSAM. For more information visit www.PersonalSecurityAwarenessMonth.com.

 

Q:        Why did SHOLDIT create PSAM?

The need for Personal Security Awareness Month was created because we want to raise awareness about the fact that crime rates across the globe are on the rise and there is a strong need for people to be more aware. Yes, there are already sources and experts out there, but PSAM’s purpose is to be the watchdog that delivers valuable information on trends, cases, and expert resources to allow the people to stay informed and make their own educated decisions on steps for prevention. 

Q.        Tell us about the launch Event on April 1^st:

This free event will offer valuable knowledge and experience on topics ranging from parking lot security and survival mindset to vehicle safety and beyond.  A wide range of security experts will teach you how to be safe and aware on April 1, 2013, at the Bellevue University Campus in Sarpy County, NE, from 4:30pm to 6:45pm. The event will feature top ranking police officers, security experts from Sarpy and Cass county Sheriffs, Clark International, Leonum Advisors, Palladin Consulting Group, Jones Automotive, Civil Dispatch, and others.  Valuable Information from the event, including videos, will be available online shortly after the event.

 Q.        What are you doing nationally?

SHOLDIT is doing a national push to bring awareness to Personal Security Awareness Month.  Our efforts have already been featured in a wide range of national press outlets. We want to reach people to remind them to stay aware of the dangers, how to try to outthink the criminals, and stay out of reach of their quick and clever tactics.

 Q.        Are you going to do this every year?

Yes, we plan to continue to grow the event next year and hope to make PSAM a nationally (and internationally) recognized month each April.  We need people to get involved and spread the word! We also are looking for emerging trends, new techniques to keep the public safe, and people who are willing to share their own personal stories in an effort to help others avoid the same kind of victimization.

 

Q.        What do you hope to accomplish?

It all comes down to saving lives and or saving people from becoming victims.  By hosting PSAM annually, our goal is to refresh the tips they already know and also to share new trends that con artists are using and how each of us can prevent victimization by being ahead of their game.

  Editor’s Note:  The National Crime Prevention Council sends a special thanks to SHOLDIT and Ms. Angela Lee, founder, for contributing to NCPC’s continued efforts to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime^®.”