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There are many resources designed to benefit youth in Stafford County.
Any of the following are available to all Stafford County residents. Identification Kits
The chances of your child becoming the victim of an unspeakable crime are unlikely. However, it is incumbent upon us to take every precaution available to ensure their safety.  DNA Kits
One such precaution is an Identification Kit for your child to include their DNA. DNA is the most accurate identification tool available. While none of us want to think about the worst-case scenario, in time of tragedy and loss, DNA may prove to be very useful.
The Stafford Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit would like to pass along information provided by the Virginia Department of Forensics Science. You can collect DNA samples for your child and it's quite easy to do! The kit includes:
Child Identification Brochure (personal, medical, physical, dental details)
Child Information Card (quick reference card)
(2) Sterile Swabs
DNA Saliva Swab Storage Envelope
 Fingerprinting Kits
Another precaution is a Fingerprint record of your child(ren). Last year, at various public events, the Child Fingerprinting program reached over 2,600 children. It is important for parents to have a record of their child's fingerprnts to aid law enforcement in the event of an abduction.
McGruff Appearances
McGruff reaches kids through commercials, songs and booklets from the National Crime Preve ntion Council, talking about drugs, bullying, safety and the importance of staying in school. Recently, McGruff has appeared in commercials addressing identity theft. The character is often used with his motto "Take a bite out of crime!" McGruff the Crime Dog appeared at a number of events last year, and met hundreds of people. McGruff can make an appearance at almost any function in Stafford County! McGruff is provided at no additional cost, just let Crime Prevention know of your request at least 30 days prior to the event. Interesting facts about McGruff:
 - - Research shows that some 99% of children in the six to twelve year-old age group recognize and understand the McGruff campaign
- 80% of adults recalled having seen the McGruff Public Service messages (PSAs)
- - 1/3 who had seen teh PSAs have learned from them; 1/5 that had seen them had taken preventative actions
- - Almost half reported feeling more personally responsible for preventing crime; slightly more than half said they had become more concerned about the crime problem
- - A substantial majority said the PSAs were effective in increasing their own crime prevention awareness (70%) and children's awareness of crime prevention (90%)
Source: The Social Impact of the National Citizens Crime Prevention Campaign published by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, November 1993. R.A.D. Kids
 R.A.D. Kids is a basic awareness and self-defense program for children ages 7-12. The program combines risk reduction education and physical defense training in hopes of preventing the abdubtion of children. It provides a consistent, structure, proactive curriculum utilizing fun, interactive exercise creating a dynamic learning environment. General safety topics include, but are not limited to: School Safety, Home Safety, Out-And-About Safety, Vehicle Safety, Personal Safety, and Physical Defense. R.A.D. Kids is the most comprehensive program of its kind. The program is designed for children to be taught by childhood education professionals including teachers in  schools, education and recreation centers, professional law enforcement agencies, sexual assault/counseling centers, and child abuse prevention agencies. R.A.D. Kids was developed by a group of concerned parents, law enforcement professionals, and self-defense experts with the following objective: To provide educational opportunities for children and parents, concerning awareness and self-defense strategies, instilling confidence and reducing the possibility of adverse physical control and/or harm. Why R.A.D. Kids?
The 1998 National Incidence Study of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, or Thrown Awa y Children (NISMART) "report that an estimated 3,200 to 4,600 short-term non-family abductions were known to law enforcement in 1988. Of these, an estimated 200 to 300 were sterotypical kidnappings where a child is gone overnight, is killed, is transported a distance of 50 iles or more, or is being detained by a perpetrator who intends to keep the child permanently." The Bureau of Justice Statistics "(BJS) estimated that nationwide about 17,000 girls under age 12 were raped in 1992." According to The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse's (NCPCA's) 1996 Annual Fifty State Survey "and estimated 969,000 children were substantiated as victims of child abuse and neglect in 1996." Child Safety Presentations
Deputies are available to attend community activities and offer safety insturctions on various topics, such as:
Bicycle Safety - School Safety - Gun Safety - Home Alone Safety - Internet Safety - Strangers
There are many other presentations available, please contact Crime Prevention if you are interested! D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. is universally viewed as an internationally recognized model of community policing. The United Sta tes Department of Justice has identified how D.A.R.E. benefits local communities: -
- D.A.R.E. "humanizes" the police: that is, young people can begin to relate to officers as people  -
- D.A.R.E. permits students to see officers in a helping role, not just an enforcement role -
- D.A.R.E. opens lines of communication between law enforcement and youth -
- D.A.R.E. Officers can serve as conduits to provide information beyond drug-related topics -
- D.A.R.E. opens dialogue between the school, police, and parents to deal with issues For more information on the D.A.R.E. program within the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, visit their website by clicking on the D.A.R.E. logo or by visiting www.staffordsheriff.com/juvenileservices Kid's Spot In our newsletter, there is a KIDS SPOT section, which we hope your child(ren) will enjoy! It features games, and also tips on va  rious subjects such as school bus safety, school bullies, and more! You can access some of the games by clicking on the various descriptions below!
CHECK THIS OUT!
Want to visit a great site for your kids, and even your kids can visit this site!!
CONTACT US!
If you are interested in any of the Child Safety Program, please contact us!! 1st Sergeant Darrell English, Crime Prevention (P) 540-658-4428
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