Keeping Our Children Safe

Keeping Our Children Safe

Jacob Wetterling was an 11 year-old-boy living in a small town in Minnesota when he was abducted on October 22, 1989.  To this day, all that is known about his kidnapper is that he was a masked gunman. Due in no small part to the perseverance of his parents in lobbying for tougher legislation, Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Act in 1994.  This act requires states to implement a sex offender registry or risk losing ten percent of federal funding for their state and local law enforcement programs. Many states now believe that due to loopholes in registration and an increasingly mobile population, there is a need for a private sex offender registry.

President Bush signing the Federal Funding Acc...
President Bush signing the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, September 26, 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One such online registry is the Klaas Kids Foundation, formed in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of young Polly Klaas in 1993.  This site gives detailed information regarding the rules and guidelines for registration for each state, as well as providing a link to each state government’s registration website. Another valuable online resource is called Offendex.  It boasts a database of over 750,000 offenders and you can search there by state, city, name or zip code. If you plan to visit a different area, it may be worth checking out a site called Family Watchdog as it provides access to lists of offenders in all states as well.

Keeping our children safe should be a priority for all Americans. Given the scope of the problem, it certainly does not hurt to have a private sex offender registry in addition to state registries.  It is worth taking the time to investigate all resources available.

The Lawmaker Who Wants To Use GPS For Sex Offender Tracking

Jackson, MS (Mississippi News Now)-

One State Senator, Will Longwitz is proposing a reformed way of registering sex offenders which will change the way that those living nearby are notified concerning the whereabouts of the offenders.

The Senator believes that money can be saved by making use of the technology available to law enforcement. This will also allow the reduction of man hours needed to keep track of sex offenders.

Following the lead of 16 other states that are using similar methods, Longwitz explains that the offenders would be rated on how dangerous they are to society. Those who are most harmful would be required to wear a GPS device for monitoring purposes.

Sign, Wapello, Iowa. This was put up in reacti...
Sign, Wapello, Iowa. This was put up in reaction to Megan’s Law. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This monitoring device would allow law enforcement to be notified if the offender should leave their restricted area. If would also sound an alarm if the offender were to get too near a school.

Although these laws do exist in other states, they have been disputed in court.

The proposed law would require the sex offender to assist in covering the GPS monitor costs.

Because most employers will not hire convicts, there is a high rate of homelessness among those who have been in jail. However, it is important that these offenders have as much penalties as possible when it comes to paying restitution.

Longwitz notes that this type of device might have saved Lenora Edhegard who was killed in October by Cortrell Rose. Had Rose been monitored, he would have not been able to use a fake address and have access to Lenora Edhegard.

Along with the requirement of registering every 90 days and having a recent photo on file, the new law would require the offender to mail letters to area residents that they have moved into the neighborhood.

Because there are so many non-compliant offenders, law enforcement needs the help of area citizens. If someone raises suspicion, citizens are asked to report it to the authorities.

Sex Offenders Search Is A Smart Move In Today’s Times

Sex Offenders Search

Whether you have been living in your family home for years or relocating to a new city or even a new neighborhood in your same town, then a sex offenders search can be a prudent first move.

In this day and age sex crimes, not only against minors but adults as well are on the rise. Let’s face it, things are not like they used to be in the sixties and seventies when you could trust most people.

If you are moving to a new location, across town or across the country then you may want to look into more than just property values and the best places to shop near your home. Finding out who your neighbors are could save you and your family a lot of future turmoil.

A sex offenders search can be done as simply as going online to a number of well maintained and informative websites. It can take only a few minutes to save you and your loved ones a lifetime of trouble. One such website is provided and maintained by the U.S Department of Justice, and is named The Dru SJODIN NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER PUBLIC WEBSITE. This website is up to date and allows you to search for offenders nationwide as well as The District of Columbia and other U.S. territories. Family Watchdog is another good website to perform a search for sex offenders in your area. Also check with your local police department for any information on searches related to sex crimes.

Use BlackBerry Spy Software to Protect Your Kids and Their Privacy

Children are exposed to threats through nearly every medium that they encounter, and BlackBerry Spy Software is one tool that parents can use to protect them on their phones. Far from simply snooping on them, BlackBerry Spy Software allows you to respect their privacy and keep them safe at the same time. Here are a few simple methods you can follow when using BlackBerry Spy Software or other cell phone spy tools to keep your kids safe, but avoid snooping at the same time:

  1. Check Their Location Once Ever Day With Cell Phone Spy Tools

As a cautious parent worried about your child, you may be tempted to use BlackBerry Spy Software to check their location all the time. You should refrain from checking more than once a day unless you suspect some unwanted activities or they are out with new friends.   Otherwise, just briefly review their Location History at the end of each day and if they stray from where they were supposed to be, take the appropriate action.

  1. Skim – Instead of Reading – Their Text and Call Logs

BlackBerry Spy Software is capable of logging every video, text, chat and picture recorded on or taken with the smart phone.  But while this cutting edge cell phone spy software gives you the opportunity to trace everything your child does – you should avoid doing so.  Instead, you can instead simply skim your child’s communications.  Specifically, use the BlackBerry Spy Software to monitor communications to make sure that they are not talking to the wrong people first.  If the cell phone spy application reveals contacts you are not familiar with, then it is wise to invest the time to review specific communications.

  1. Review Call Details, Don’t Needlessly Listen to Each Call

BlackBerry Spy Software provides every name and number for every call placed or received on your child’s smart phone.  And while this advanced cell phone spyware can also record all incoming and outgoing calls as well, take a moment to first review the Call Details feature first. You likely will not have to listen to calls from friends you trust or other people you already know, but it may be a good idea to briefly listen to specific phone calls from unknown or potentially malicious contacts.

  1. Use Spy Mode for the Right Reasons

Newer and advanced versions of BlackBerry Spy Software offer a feature called Spy Mode.  This cutting edge cell phone spy application allows you to listen to what is going on around your child’s smart phone.  Specifically, the cell phone’s microphone is remotely activated by the BlackBerry Spy Software so parents can secretly monitor conversations, background noise, etc.   But to avoid unnecessary “snooping”, parents should only engage this aggressive cell phone spy application if a child is out with new friends or if they refuse to answer their smart phone.

Author Bio

Jane has been in the business of providing quality information on cell phone spy technology. Most recently her focus has shifted towards the blackberry spy app which is making waves in the technology world today.

Exercises for Anxiety and Prevention

Anxiety is a very tiring and upsetting mental disorder. It happens when adrenaline buildups up at an inappropriate time, without apparent reasons or in the absence of real threat or danger which makes anxiety patients feel extreme fear, worry, nervousness and apprehension anytime and anywhere. This is the reason why many of the anxiety sufferers choose to not go out to a crowded place or in the public fearing that their anxiety might attack again. With this, performances at work or school and relationships with other people are badly affected. Major types of anxiety disorders include panic disorder, phobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.  When these anxiety disorders are not treated immediately, these can reach to a level which disable its patients on functioning properly, affecting the whole-being of the patients. There are hundreds of physical and mental symptoms that are possible to happen to you when you have an anxiety disorder. But typical symptoms include chest pains, rapid heartbeats, heart palpitations, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, shaking, tingling in arms, fingers or legs, headaches, backaches, dry mouth, lump in the throat, dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, insomnia, inability to concentrate, distorted vision, sexual dysfunction, restlessness, irritability, anticipation of something worse going to happen, loss of self-control and derealization.

Many anxiety patients do not know that as simple regular exercise can help in reducing and treating anxiety eventually. Regular exercises can do wonders not only on your body but in your emotions and mental state of being as well. There are several reasons why exercises are effective in preventing, reducing and treating anxiety. Physical exercises such as long walks, jogging, and running, playing tennis, swimming and everything that makes you sweat out can relieve tension, stress and anxiety by releasing your excess adrenaline and negative thoughts and emotions through sweating in physical activities which makes you relax, calm and confident about your body. Exercises distract you from the worry and fear that you feel, stimulate the nervous system, and increase the blood flow to your brain that helps in the production of happy hormones called endorphins that makes improve and lighten up your mood. You can learn and practice anxiety breathing exercises and relaxation techniques as well. Anxiety can make its patients to breathe shallowly resulting to shortness of breath. Deep and slow abdominal breathing can help patients stay calm and relax during anxiety attacks. Yoga and meditation are also very helpful in reducing and relieving anxiety as these can make your mind free from unwanted depressing thoughts and can improve your mood too.

Any kind of exercise can help you fight anxiety. Remember to always choose physical activities that you enjoy doing. Start doing exercises slowly so your body won’t get shocked. And lastly, always consult to your doctor to make sure that what you do is appropriate for you.

Six Safety Tips for Teens Travelling Abroad

Teen travel is a booming industry. Shopping, friends and travel are all on a teen’s list of top priorities. How high is safety on that list?

You may have seen the movies “Hostel 1 & 2” and “Taken.” Is it horror at its worst or a glimpse into the potential problems teens may face when traveling abroad? Sure, these movies are a lot scarier than teen travel and you probably laughed at the reference, but safety is no joke.

Passport Safety

Does a traveling teen know about passport safety tips? A passport should always be on your person. True, many European hotels and hostels require you leave your passport at the front desk, whether you are checking-in or leaving the property for the day or evening. Make several complete copies of your passport prior to leaving home…in color if possible.

Leave a copy of your passport at home with family or friends, pack one in your suitcase (which you can carry with you as you sight-see abroad) and, if possible, a copy with a traveling companion or tour leader.

Know Your Rights

As a citizen of the United States, you have certain rights when you travel abroad. A United States Consulate, in the country where you travel, is where you need to seek help if you find yourself in trouble or if your passport goes missing.

Phone Calling Tips

Dialing abroad is slightly different from domestic calls. Learn the international phone dialing code, as well the particular country code of the area. You should also learn how to call your home numbers from the specific countries visited.

Know the Culture

You will want to do some research on the country you are planning to visit. Know the location of the US Consulate, and be aware of any peculiar laws you may accidentally find yourself challenging. This is especially true of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. To avoid unnecessary trouble abroad, remember that what we generally consider fun and games at home may cost you some headaches when traveling.

Safety in Numbers

Always try to stay together when out for the night. Walking in a strange city, at night can be dangerous enough. If you add alcohol or partying to the mix, you may be opening yourself up unnecessary harm when taking a short cut down a wrong alley, for example.

Watch for Crime

There are so many tricks and frauds, to be aware of when traveling. A common trick involves one person lingering at one end of a street who sends a signal to another person on the next block, indicating you are a good target for harm or theft. Another good example is Italy, where pick pocketing is an art form

Following a few guidelines can make the difference between a fun trip and a frightening brush with danger. By traveling smart, teens can have a truly memorable gap year and enjoy their time away from home.

 

Jessica Bosari writes blogs and articles for AdventuresCrossCountry, a site that helps teens and young adults find teen camps and gap year programs.

  • Travel To Negril Beach Towns For Unadulterated Fun (travel.topbidswipe.com)
  • Internet Safety for Parents: Three Top Tips (SexOffendersSearch.org)