:: Crime Prevention Unit  

CHIEF'S MESSAGE

Your safety and happiness are very important to your families, friends, and to the men and women of the Fall River Police Department. We will do everything to protect you from harm, but we need your help.

The "Safety Tips" are easy to memorize and easy to follow. Please follow them at all times. They will help insure your safety and well being.

Study these tips. Discuss them with your parents and friends. Most of all remember to obey them whether you are out playing, going to and from school, at home or with people you don't know or trust.

With your help we can make Fall River a safer and happier place for everyone.

Sincerely,

John M. Souza
Chief of Police

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT...

• Some people like to bother or hurt children.
• Sometimes it is difficult to decide if someone is trying to hurt you or not.
• Only you can decide if you like or don't like what they are doing.
• Everyone, including children has the right NOT to be hurt, bothered or hassled by anyone else.
• If you don't like what someone is DOING or ASKING YOU TO DO, or MAKING YOU DO, you have the right to stop it.
• You have the right to protect yourself.
• You can protect yourself by saying, "STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE!" YELLING, KICKING and RUNNING.
• BE SAFE: Pay attention, act quickly, and think clearly.

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Here are some safety tips to remember:

TO AND FROM SCHOOL

• Walk with a friend. It's fun. You will have company and people may not bother you as easily if you have a friend with you.
• Take the safest way to and from school. Let your parents know which way you go home so they can find you.
• Always take the same way home and don't wander off.
• Obey traffic lights and use crosswalks when crossing the street.
• Do not talk to or accept anything from a stranger. If a person you don't know offers you candy, money, a puppy, or anything do not answer. Get away as fast as you can and tell an adult whom you know and trust about what happened.
• If you see people around your school who you know should not be there, tell your teacher or your parents.

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OUTSIDE OR PLAYING

• Stay away from curbs when you are walking. Stay off the streets when you are playing.
• If someone driving a car stops and asks you questions, move away from the car, but remember the person's face and license number of the car.
• Do NOT give anyone your name or address unless it is someone you are asking for help, such as police officer.
• Do NOT play alone on the playground. Leave when the other children do. If you are alone, no one will be there to help you if you get into trouble.
• Do NOT play near restrooms.
• If someone bothers you, wants you to take off your clothes, or wants to touch you, yell loudly, "Stop It! Leave me alone!" Get away quickly and tell an adult who you know and trust, about what happened.

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AT HOME

• Do NOT open the door for anyone whom you do not know and who is not supposed to be in your house.
• Keep your doors locked when you are home alone. Know how to lock and unlock your doors and windows.
• Refuse to open the door if someone asks to use the telephone or anything else. You can tell the person how to get to the phone booth or you can make the call for them while they wait outside.
• Do not talk to strangers on the phone. Do not tell unknown callers that you are home alone. Just tell them that your Mom and Dad cannot come to the phone just now and take a message. Ask the person for his name and phone number and tell your parents when they return home.
• Tell an adult if you see anyone hanging around or near your home. If your parents are not home, have the telephone number of a neighbor to call for help or call the POLICE.

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