Tuesday, December 18, 2012

US Department of Education: Talking with your children about traumatic events

In response to the tragic events in Newtown Connecticut The U S Department of  Education has provided resources for parents and community with responding to traumatic events.



        

Friday, December 14, 2012

National Association of School Resource Officers & School Psychologists: Responding to Tragic Events



On behalf of the members of the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan are hearts and prayers are with the families of  Clackamas Oregon Shopping Center and Newtown Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary school after the reports of the tragic shooting events this week.  Officers are trained to engage and stop incidents such as these and both incidents weight heavy on all involved. At our recent C.P.A.M. conference, we had a representative from the National Association of School Resource Officers provide a presentation to our members and participated in a video interview that will be posted in an upcoming blog. We talked about the role of the School Resource Officer (SRO) and the importance of having police interact with students daily, information being brought to their attention, and students concerns about a rumor or something being planned that may cause harm to others. S.R.O.'s establish relationships and students trust them and are more willing to share a concern, a very important part of maintaining school safety.

Many of our school districts are having to eliminate the S.R.O. positions due to budget constraints but if there is any possibility to bring those officers back into your buildings, we strongly encourage school boards and administrators to adjust your financial forecasting to bring them back! We applaud police administrators and municipalities that make school safety a priority even during these tough economic times.

The National Association of School Psychologists has a list of great resources for schools, families and the community. I've added the link to their website for additional resources. We'd also like to recognize the tremendous acts of bravery by the teachers and staff today at the Sandy Hook Elementary school to keep the students out of harms way and to protect them. Schools across the country participate in lock-down and fire drills. Today exemplified why those drills are so important.

I've also provided a link to the N.A.S.R.O's website with resources and tips on protection in our schools.  Please, we need every person in our community to be the "eyes and ears" and report suspicious persons and activity that may impact others. Furthermore, students if you are reading a message forwarded from a  social network or text messages about a student planning to commit a dangerous act at a school or in the community, please tell a trusted adult immediately! Thank you, the life you save may be your own.


NASRO - 12/14, statement on school shooting



National Association of School Psychologists
N.A.of School Psychologists

FTC- Kids' Data Still Collected, Shared without Parents' Knowledge, Consent

The FTC has published it's second report on Smartphone Apps targeted at teens and children that is a recommended read for parents, teachers and those who recommend Apps for teens use. The Federal Trade Commission issued a new staff report, “Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures report coverStill Not Making the Grade,” examining the privacy disclosures and practices of apps offered for children in the Google Play and Apple App stores.  The report details the results of the FTC’s second survey of kids’ mobile apps.

I've provided the link to the report from the FTC for review.


FTC Report 2012, Mobile Apps for Kids

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Bully Project: Milan H.S. Peer Mediation / Life Saver's Program

The Bully Project movie released in April 2012 has opened the eyes of school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and communities across the country. Michigan's "Matt's Safe School Law" was signed into law providing a road map for schools to follow on addressing bullying in their schools and the reporting process. 

On May 5th 2012, schools throughout Washtenaw County were provided access to see the movie at the Rave Cinema in Pittsfield Township and sponsored by Sam's Club of Ypsilanti MI. Pittsfield Township D.P.S. host agency and municipality coordinated the viewing and there were two panel discussions prior to the showing. One with adults and elected officials and the second with youth from the local schools. 

The Bully Project movie will be available for purchase in Feburary 2013. Go to www.bullyproject.com for more details.

The Milan Police Department's School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) and students from Milan High School's message about their "Peer Mediation and Life Saver's" program were outstanding and featured in a Prevention Corner TV Show special. See what the students had to say about their programs. Click on the link to the YouTube channel.



 The Prevention Corner TV Show- Milan H.S. "Peer Mediation & Life Saver's Program"

I-Pad and Phone Security Tips 2012

I-Phone / I-Pad Safety Tips: Residents who own Apple products such as IPhones, I Pads and other devices should password protect your devices. You have access under the “I Cloud” menu to set your passwords and to activate “Find my IPhone” which allows you to locate the phone and remotely lock or erase the device. Click on the link below for details on the procedure.




Home Security Tip: Patio Doors

Home Security Tip – Patio Doors: 

Home Invasions through patio doors are on the rise. Securing your doors by locking them and using an "after market" device to prevent access to your home is important.  Residents are encouraged to lock your patio doors, use a “Charlie bar” in the base of the door, and auxiliary locks to prevent the doors from being lifted from the frame. For more tips on securing patio doors click the link below.



The Childen's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) What Parents Should Know

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): What Parents Should Know
Congress and the FTC have taken special steps to assure that children under 13 years of age don’t share their personal information on the Internet without the express approval of their parents.  Congress passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act in 1998 and the FTC wrote a rule implementing the law.  The FTC has taken law enforcement actions against companies that failed to comply with the provisions of the law and has issued a report to Congress assessing how companies have complied with it.  The FTC charged that the website operator, Artist Arena, violated COPPA and the FTC’s COPPA Rule, which require that website operators notify parents and obtain their consent before they collect, use or disclose personal information from children under 13.  The settlement will impose a $1 million civil penalty on Artist Arena, bar future violations of the Rule, and require that Artist Arena delete information collected in violation of the rule.  Parents should check the Apps on Smartphones. A report released this week confirms that that some "apps" on teens phones are tracking their activity and selling the obtained information. Click on the link below for tips.



Cyber Security Tip: Holiday Shopping Online

The Department of Homeland Security’s, Stop Think Connect campaign offers the following tips to help safeguard your personal information and transactions on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season:
  • Keep your computer, browser, anti-virus and other critical software up to date. Security updates and patches are available free from major companies.
  • Pay attention to website URLs. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net). Also look in the address box for the "s" in https:// before any transaction. That “s” tell you that the site is taking extra measures to help secure your information.
  • Beware of deals that sound too good to be true. Use caution when opening email attachments and do not follow unsolicited web links in email messages. Pay special attention to extremely low prices on hard-to-get items.
  • Check privacy policies. Before providing personal or financial information, check the websites privacy policy to ensure your safety.
  • Use a credit card. There are laws to limit your liability for fraudulent credit card charges, and you may not have the same level of protection when using your debit card.
  • Keep a record of your order. Retain all documentation from the order in the event your purchase does not ship or if there are unauthorized charges on your bill.
  • Check your statements. Keep a record of your purchases and copies of confirmation pages, and compare them to your bank statements. If there is a discrepancy, report it immediately. 
For more information on online shopping, click on the link below.



US Postal Inspectors: Bogus E-Mails / Spam

BEWARE OF SPAM!               BOGUS E-MAILS SENT TO POSTAL CUSTOMERS

These e-mails claim to be from the U.S. Postal Service and contain fraudulent information about
an intercepted package being delivered or online postage charges. You are instructed to
click on a link, open the attachment, or print the label, but Postal Inspectors warn: Don't do it! The email has a virus that will access your personal information from your computer.
Click on the link below for more details from the U.S.Postal Inspector.



                     

Holiday Shopping Online: Tips to prevent package theft 2012

Holiday Shopping Online: Tips to prevent package theft

This year consumers will spend a record amount online making purchases for the holidays. Packages left on porches visible from the roadway create a perfect “crime of opportunity”.  When placing orders online arrange to have them delivered when you will be home. If not have your delivery services leave a tag saying when/where the items can be picked up instead of being left unattended or ask neighbors to hold on to your deliveries.  UPS and FedEx have provided information on their services and what to do if your package is missing.
Click on the links below for details from the companies.



UPS- Tips on package safety

FedEx- Delivery options/ tags on packages when your not home

Phishing Scams- Text message "bank account deactivated"

How to Deal with Phishing Scams: Text message from your bank “account deactivated”
A local credit union in Pittsfield Township Michigan has reported that members have been the victim of a text message scam saying their debit / ATM card has been deactivated and they need to call a “734” number which is not connected with the credit union.  Delete email and text messages that ask you to confirm or provide personal information (credit cards, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, etc.). Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email or text. Area codes can mislead, too. Some scammers ask you to call a phone number to update your account or access a "refund." A local area code doesn’t guarantee that the caller is local.

If you’re concerned about your account or need to reach an organization you do business with, call the number on your financial statements or on the back of your credit card. For more information on how to avoid these scams click on the link below.

OnGuard- Avoiding Phishing Scams c/o Bank Accounts

Fire Place and Home Fire Safety Tips

Fire Place And Home Fire Safety:
More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels. Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice fire safety steps to keep fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility “Fire Stops with You!” Click on the link below for fireplace and home fire safety tips.

US Fire Adminstration- Home Fire Safety Tips

SMiShing- Scam by text messaging 2012

What is SMiShing?
“SMiShing” is really just another form of Phishing. “SMiShing” occurs when a fraudster sends you a SMS/text message asking you to provide sensitive, personal, and/or financial information via a web link, a false website, or a telephone number. The messages could appear to be from T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, AT &T or other companies you do business with. Please note that cell phone providers will never ask you to “confirm” or “verify” your sensitive personal information in an unsolicited SMS text message.  Links to the pages of the cell phone providers:
              

                    

AT & T Wireless
T Mobile
 Sprint
    Verizon Wireless 



Text Message Gift Card Scams 2012

Text Message Gift Card Scams:
You receive a text message. You open it. You are surprised by a message informing you you’ve won a Best Buy gift card (or Target, Wal-Mart, other major retailers). You are instructed to go to a website, enter a PIN, and the card is yours. 
  
The text URL leads to a website that has the company colors and logo. It looks authentic with the company name as the sites sub-domain (example: www.bestbuy.scamwebsite.com), but it’s not.

What Can You Do About Scam Text Messages?     
  • Ignore instructions to text "STOP" or "NO" to prevent future texts. This is a common ploy by scammers to confirm they have an active phone number. 
  • Forward the texts to 7726 (SPAM on most keypads). This will alert your cell phone carrier to block future texts from those numbers. 
  • If you think your text message is real, be sure it directs you to a web address like Bestbuy.com or Target.com, not www.bestbuy.otherwebsite.com.   

Michigan Right to Work- Senate & House passed bills 12/11/12


The Michigan Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation making Michigan the 24th state to become a "Right to Work State". The summary of the bills are attached for review.

MI House of Rep's - Right to Work Bill #4003

MI Senate #0116 Right to Work

CPAM Conference 2012


The C.P.A.M. Conference 2012 was outstanding! we've captured videotaped interviews with C.P.A.M. Officer's, speakers, and vendors. These interviews will be posted on the blog .  If you are not a member consider joining and prepared for the 2013 quarterly meetings and conference.



Wednesday, September 12, 2012

West Bloomfield Police Department Memorial page for fallen officer Patrick O'Rourke

Police Officer Patrick O'Rourke was shot and killed while making entry into a home on Forest Edge Lane after responding to a domestic dispute and reports of shots fired inside of the house.

He and four other officers had responded to the initial call shortly after 10:00 pm. Several family members who had been in the home had exited it prior to the arrival of the officers and informed them that the man inside may have committed suicide.

The officers entered the home and made their way to a bedroom. Before entering the bedroom they called out the subject's name but were met with gunfire through the bedroom door. Officer O'Rourke was struck by the gunfire and critically wounded. He was transported to McLaren Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The subject was found dead in the home the following evening following an entry by members of the Special Response Team.

Officer O'Rourke had served with the West Bloomfield Police Department for 12 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, parents, three brothers, and grandfather.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Chief of Police Michael Patton
West Bloomfield Police Department
4530 Walnut Lake Road
PO Box 250188
West Bloomfield, MI 48325

Phone: (248) 975-9200


Read more: http://www.odmp.org/officer/21388-police-officer-patrick-orourke#ixzz26He6VdrY

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Michigan Cyber Initiative- 2012 Campaign






The State of Michigan's Cyber Security initiative has been very busy tracking cyber crimes, how to avoid being victims of online crimes, data breaches and more. The MI Cyber Initiative offers workshops and community forms around the state for those interested. Here in Washtenaw County we have a county wide task force with law enforcement, elected officials, schools, (public/charter/local colleges), and seniors helping with the awareness of how not to be a victim.

Click on the link provided for more details and resources.  Michigan.gov/cybersecurity

You can also check out our Washtenaw County Cyber Citizenship's website that we are extremely proud of  filled with updated current resources for individuals, families and businesses.

Washtenawcybercoalition- WC4

Rich Coleman, PSCC, PTDPS, Member, WC4, CPAM Legislative Liaison

Thursday, August 30, 2012

West Nile Virus: Important information from MI Dept. of Public Health

West Nile Virus: The Michigan Department of  Health Department has issued a state-wide alert addressing the impact of West Nile Virus. Click on the link below for publications on protecting your family and pets.
Information from the CDC on Myths about contracting West Nile.

             Myth #1: There's not much I can do about West Nile virus.

Truth: There is a lot that you, personally, can do to reduce your chance of West Nile virus infection.

  • Reduce the number of mosquito bites you get. Make a habit of using insect repellent with DEET when outdoors. Spray repellent on exposed skin and clothing. Get the details about safe repellent use.
  • Prime mosquito-biting hours are usually dusk to dawn. Pay special attention to protection during these hours, or avoid being outdoors.
  • You can reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so check your yard once a week: get rid of containers that aren't being used, empty water from flower pots, change water in bird baths and maintain clean gutters.
  • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition. Have an older neighbor or family member? See if they need help installing or repairing screens.
Myth #2: Kids are at the most danger of getting sick from West Nile virus.

Truth: People over 50 are at the highest risk for developing severe West Nile disease.

  • Relatively few children have been reported with severe West Nile Virus disease. By contrast, most of the deaths due to WNV during 2002 were among people over 50 years old. Half of those deaths were among people over 77 years old.
  • It is always a good idea for children to avoid mosquito bites, but it's also important for adults - especially older adults - to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Click here for suggestions on how to avoid mosquito bites.
Myth #3: It's only people who are already in poor health who have to worry about West Nile virus.

Truth: Healthy, active older adults who spend time working and exercising outdoors have been affected by severe West Nile virus infection.

  • Being over 50 is a risk factor for developing severe West Nile disease if infected with the virus. There is a risk of getting mosquito bites while leading an active life outdoors. This doesn't mean you have to stay inside - it does mean that it's important to use repellent when you go outside.
Myth #4: Repellents containing DEET are not safe.
Truth: Repellents containing DEET are very safe when used according to directions.

  • Because DEET is so widely used, a great deal of testing has been done. When manufacturers seek registration with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for products such as DEET, laboratory testing regarding both short-term and long-term health effects must be carried out.
  • There are products with different strengths (percentage of DEET) available. The longer the protection you need the higher percent of DEET needed.
  • Repellent with DEET can be used for both adults and children, according to directions
  • Click here for much more information on using repellents safely.
Myth #5: As long as my area has a mosquito control program, I don't have to worry about using repellent.
Truth: Mosquito control activities don't eliminate every mosquito, so personal protection is still important.
  • Public activities, such as using products to kill mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes, are one part of control. Personal protection, such as using repellent, keeping window screens in good condition, and control of household breeding sites are other important steps.
  • Collaboration between the community, the family and the individual is needed to achieve the best prevention of West Nile virus infection.
             


State of MI Dept of Public Health- West Nile Virus

                              

NCPC Safe and Sound: School building safety tips

Back to School Safety Tips: The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has provided tips for schools, parents and care givers on school safety. This is an outstanding document that looks at the internal/external areas of school buildings. The survey for parents is though provoking and with the threat of school violence these tips will help with planning and talking with your children about how to follow school emergency drills and guidelines but also not to put themselves in harms way. Click on the link for the PDF document.

Online Scam: President will pay your Utility Bills, No

The Better Business Bureau has issued a nationwide warning about a new scam claiming that President Obama will pay your utility bills through a new federal program. For more information on how to avoid being a victim of this scam click on the image below. 


Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment that happens online. It can happen in an email, a text message, a game, or on a social-networking site. It might involve spreading rumors or images posted on someone’s profile or passed around for others to see, or creating a group or page to make a person feel left out. For more tips on addressing cyberbullying click on the link below.


OnGuardOnline.gov

SafeKids USA: Back to School Safety Tips 2012-13

Safekids USA: Back to School Safety tips:

With summer coming to an end and the start of the school year just around the corner, Safe Kids USA reminds parents and drivers to do their part to keep kids safe as they walk to school. Click on the link below for more details. 



Safe Kids USA

Larceny From Motor Vehicles, Avoid being a victim

Larceny from Motor Vehicles / Parts: Help Eliminate Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.)

Theft of auto parts and damage to vehicles can be avoided in some cases with following the tips provided by the H.E.A.T. program. To access those tips, please click on the link below.
   









Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT)   

Robbery Prevention For Small Businesses, NCPC adapted for PTDPS

Robbery Prevention for Small Businesses:
Armed Robbery to your business - especially robbery to smaller retail operations and fast food stores - has become so wide-spread that it threatens every city and town regardless of size or population. You're a target, probably an easy target.

400,000 Yahoo! Passwords Hacked
On July 11th, 2012, Yahoo reported a hacking group calling itself D33Ds Company has posted more than 400,000 Yahoo! usernames and passwords online. The company is encouraging all users to change their passwords. It's also pointing its users to the Yahoo Security page which allows users to familiarize themselves with Yahoo!'s online safety tips.

yahoo Security
               

Rob Calls, how to stop them and report the abuser

Robocalls
Consumers are getting more robocalls than ever.  Technology is the reason: Companies are using auto dialers that can send out thousands of phone calls every minute for an incredibly low cost. 

  
Report companies making Robocalls

FTC- Identity Theft

Dealing with ID Theft

The FTC has created new identity theft protection materials available at ftc.gov/idtheft .  A  brief brochure with tips everyone should have, a more detailed booklet with step-by-step instructions on dealing with the crime, and a brochure on how to recognize a new twist — child identity theft. You’ll also find information on medical and tax-related identity theft, and three new minute-long animated videos that focus on the most important messages.


.jFederal Trade Commission

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Michigan Fireworks 2012- Know the law, stay safe!


Michigan Fireworks Safety Act of 2012
Effective January 1, 2012, the Michigan Fireworks Act  of 2012 MI. Dept. of Licensening & Regulatory Affairsallows the sale and use of  consumer fireworks such as Roman Candles, Bottle Rockets and other items that leave the ground. A list of frequently asked questions regarding the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act has been released from the State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for more information.

Please access the following links for details on the law and the fireworks that are legal.

Michigan Fire Services- 2012 Fireworks Laws
MI. Dept. of Licensening & Regulatory Affairs
MI Legal Fireworks

6/29/12, MI Legislation Senate Bill #  193 update.

MI Senate Bill #193, update to Fireworks law

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Digital Democracy: Facebook don't market to our kids

The Digital Democracy organization as with many others around the world have raised concerns about the expansion of Facebook and their goal to market to children as young as 13 years old.  The founder of Facebook has been very clear that their goal is to have the millions of users be part of the marketing campaign of the future.  The organization released a letter to Mark Z. to address their concerns, click on the attached link.
Center for Digital Democracy

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

'Home safety tips for the summer"




Home Safety Tips:

Crime Prevention: A few reminders about how to protect your home, property and your neighborhood.

This is the time of the year when residents are planning vacations, doing home repairs, and getting to those long overdue projects.  Keeping your home and community safe is more than an  after thought but "a daily practice" and with individuals looking to make you or your home the next victim it's important to make your home a tough target to crime. 

N.C.P.C. has created a number of great tips that can be downloaded in a PDF file for your use.  Crime Prevention personnel who attend the neighborhood, homeowner association, and business watch meetings are promoting tips and resources for the communities use.  Check out the link from NCPC on home safety tips.

National Crime Prevention Council

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

K-2 Spice: Michigan Legislation 2012

MI House of Rep's Bill # 5714
MI House of Rep's Bill # 5709

Communities across Michigan have step up to challenge the easy access to K2 herbal spices in all of the variety of forms to teens and young adults. The young people who perceived that these drugs are "OK" because they are legal has caused deaths and serious short/long term medical problems for those involved in the smoking of these products.

The Community Anti Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) put out a notice of the dangers of this drug spring of 2010 alerting communities to take notice and prepare to address this dangerous drugs.

November 24th, 2010, the D.E.A. used it's emergency scheduling authority to temporarily control five chemicals associated in the making of the of "fake pot" according to their press release. In 2009, the D.E.A.had begun to received reports from poison centers, hospitals, and law enforcement regarding the products.

N.I.D.A.,is  sponsoring the National Drug Facts Week 2013 campaign has National Drug Facts Week 2013 has great information for teens and community groups looking to educate and provide parents with resources to help explain the dangers and behaviors association with legal/ illegal substances that teens are involved with experimenting with.

We've created a Power Point promoting the 2013 National Drugs Facts Week that I've put in a PDF file. We've provided this to School Resource Officers (SRO) throughout SE Michigan and to our Crime Prevention Association of Michigan members. Please feel free to send me an email if your interested in getting a copy.

Rich Coleman, PSCC, PTDPS, Leg. Liaison CPAM

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

FBI- Phishing Scam Alert for Consumers 2012

1/3/12, Happy New Year! let's promote crime prevention this year to our community members, family and friends. 2012, will be filled with scams and fraud online, SMART phones, and of course Email.  It will be important to keep track of the types of fraud and not to open any suspicious emails or text messages. This FBI report was issued in November of 2011,  and we've seen extensive emails with this scam.   

Rich Coleman, CPAM

 

FBI Denver Cyber Squad Advises Citizens to be Aware of a New Phishing Campaign

FBI Denver November 23, 2011
 

— filed under:
With the holiday shopping season upon us, the FBI Denver Cyber Squad would like to advise citizens of a new spear phishing campaign involving personal and business bank accounts, financial institutions, money mules, and jewelry stores. The campaign involves a variant of the “Zeus” malware called “Gameover.” The spam campaign is pretending to be legitimate e-mails from the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), advising the user there was problem with the ACH transaction at their bank and it was not processed. Once they click on the link they are infected with the Zeus or Gameover malware, which is able to key log as well as steal their online banking credentials, defeating several forms of two factor authentication.

After the accounts are compromised, the perpetrators conduct a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on the financial institution. The belief is the DDoS is used to deflect attention from the wire transfers as well to make them unable to reverse the transactions (if found). A portion of the wire transfers (not all) are being transmitted directly to high-end jewelry stores, wherein the money mule comes to the actual store to pick up his $100K in jewels (or whatever dollar amount was wired).

Investigation has shown the perpetrators contact the high-end jeweler requesting to purchase precious stones and high-end watches. The perpetrators advise they will wire the money to the jeweler’s account and someone will come to pick up the merchandise. The next day, a money mule arrives at the store, the jeweler confirms the money has been transferred or is listed as “pending” and releases the merchandise to the mule.

Later on, the transaction is reversed or cancelled (if the financial institution caught the fraud in time) and the jeweler is out whatever jewels the money mule was able to obtain.

The FBI in Denver is asking all consumers to be cautious of opening communications from senders that would not normally send you e-mail or are not from the normal sender e-mail address.