Programs
The following programs are the some of the methods that the Southern Shores Police Department utilizes in educating the public and helping to make our community safer. If you are interested in one of these programs and would like to know more, don't hesitate to contact our business office during business hours.
Child Indenti-Kit
Millions of children go missing every day. Some are abducted by strangers; many more are abducted by acquaintances or family members; and even more run away from home. One of the ways to help keep your child safe if the worst should happen, is to have a complete record of your child's identity on hand. The best way to do this is through Child Indenti-Kit. This is a fast and easy way to keep an up-to-date record of your child's identity. A kit can be obtained by visiting the Southern Shores Police Department during business hours or you can simply print a copy of the Child Identi-Kit form and follow the instructions. The Police Department will be happy to help you fill out the kit by taking your child's fingerprints and taking a photograph of your child. The form includes all pertinent identifying information regarding family, medical information and physical characteristics. There are even instructions on how to collect samples of your child's DNA. In the event that your child were missing for any reason then this information would be readily available for a quick and productive response from police .
Project Childsafe
Firearms accident in the home can result from an unauthorized individual, often a child, finding a loaded and unsecured firearm in the home. The risk of firearms-related unintentional injuries or deaths can be reduced when firearms owners are aware of and fully understand their responsibility to handle firearms safely and store them in a secure manner. Project Childsafe is a nationwide program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among all firearms owners through the distribution of key safety education messages and free gun locking devices (firearms safety kits.) The program is supported by a U. S. Department of Justice grant, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and is a component of Project Safe Neighborhoods. The free firearms safety kits are available at the Southern Shores Police Department.
Eddie Eagle
The National Rifle Association (NRA) provides free materials through grant funding for Eddie Eagle's GunSafe Program which teaches children in pre-K through third grade that, if they see a gun: "STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult." Among children, fatal firearm accidents in the Eddie Eagle age group have been reduced more than two-thirds since the programs' inception, acccording to the National Center for Health Statistics. Gun accident prevention programs such as Eddie Eagle are a significant factor in that decline. Since 1988, Eddie's lifesaving message has been taught to more than 18 million children by law enforcement officers, elementary school teachers and community activists. Eddie Eagle has been endorsed or honored by: the National Sheriff's Association, the U.S. Department of Justice (through its Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention), the National Association of School Safety and Law Enforcement Officers, the Police Athletic League, and others.
NetSmartz
The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) that uses age-appropriate, 3-d activities to teach children and teens how to be safer when using the Internet. What makes NetSmartz unique is its use of the latest technology and its availability to the public at no cost. NetSmartz materials provide a learning experience children will enjoy and understand. The goal of the NetSmartz Workshop is to extend the safety awareness of children to prevent victimization and increase self-confidence whenever they go online. NetSmartz uses 3-D animation to create characters such as Clicky, Webster and Nettie to teach kids about online dangers and how to avoid them using interactive games and activites. You can contact the Southern Shores Police Department to set up a presentation for students, parents, guardians or caregivers.
