Street Proofing

[Sam Johnson]

Rob mentioned an anti-pedo program called, "Street Proofing", which I'd never heard of, so I googled it and found this fun outline of what it entails. Just hilarious. My favourite is the one that says teach them to go to a sales clerk if lost--I spent quite a few years as a sales clerk--you just come behind the counter here little Johnny, I'll show you where your daddy is! Really, they carry on like such squealing ninnies, makes you want to put on a balaclava and start jumping out of bushes.

The problem these puritans have--they have painted such a lurid picture of the pedo as unspeakable monster, they will of course never recognise the real thing, a plain ordinary person not much different to themselves.

Street-Proofing Children:

• Never leave a young child alone in a public place – not even for just a minute.
  
• Don’t put their name on their clothing. A stranger can use it to gain their trust.
  
• Go along when a young child uses a public washroom, even if they protest.
  
• Never assume there’s someone else watching out for your child. Always know where they are and who’s looking after them.
  
• And, in case the worst happens, keep an up-to-date photo (no more than six months old) with your child’s height, weight, eye and hair colour on the back, along with a description of any birth marks.
  
• There are also a number of things you can teach your child to help them deal safely with strangers on their own:
• As soon as they’re old enough, teach them their name, address, phone number and parents’ names.
  
• Teach them to shout, “You’re not my mother!” or “You’re not my father!” if someone tries to take them away.
  
• Teach them to go to a sales clerk if they’re separated from you in a store.
  
• Teach them to go to a police officer if they’re in trouble and one is nearby. Never frighten your child by threatening to call the police if they do something wrong.
  
• Give your child a code word for emergencies. That way, a stranger who doesn’t know the word won’t get far, even if they say something like, “Come with me to the hospital; your father has been hurt.”
  
• Teach your child to say “no” firmly. Practice shouting it with them. Give them permission to scream it if they’re in trouble.

[daveofk...@gmail.com]

I must admit that cheered me up no end, what a great way to start the day A GOOD LAUGH, it s like something out of sesame street. They are painting a picture s you say Sam of some huge Ogre or Monster. A true BL would give a kid more love affection and caring that most of today's parents do.

[marky...@gmail.com]

I just read the book "After Etan" about Etan Patz who disappeared while walking 2 blocks to the bus stop when he was 6.

The families in the neighborhood had told their kids, "If you need help, go to the bodega.  It's a 'Safe Place.'"

So 36 years later they've FINALLY arrested and are currently prosecuting someone for his murder.

Who do they say his killer is?

The Stock Clerk at the bodega (Right at the bus stop) Etan was going to to buy a soda for lunch.

Yeah, the bodega was a "Safe Place" alright!

Poor kid.

[priapus...@gmail.com]

Growing up once i became aware of the attentions from nice men and understood the signals , the smile, the affectionate, hand on the shoulder i can tell you store department workers, men, were often the nicest and friendliest men to me and mother  would always compliment the store mangers when we would leave and say how helpful such and such man was because he kept an eye on me while she did some of her womens shopping.