Keep Kids Safe on the Internet

Did you know . . .

• 1 in 5 kids are subjected to unwanted sexual solicitation on the Internet.
• 25% of kids sexually solicited on the Internet told a trusted adult.
• 64% of teens report posting personal photos on the Internet and 58% report posting personal information such as where they live.

Join us . . . .

Fort Collins police will be hosting several upcoming Internet safety presentations for families to increase awareness and provide tools to keep everyone safe from the dangers of the Internet.

Topics covered will include:

• Sexual predators
• Online enticement and grooming
• Social networking websites
• Spyware, spam and scams
• Cyberbullying
• Email, Instant Messaging (IM) and chatrooms

The family sessions will be held Tuesday evenings (September 7, October 5, November 2, & December 7) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Select and sign up for one date. Families will be divided into groups consisting of adults, 8 to 12 year-olds, and 13 to 18-year-olds for age appropriate presentations.

The presentations will be held at the Fort Collins Police Services Community Room located at 2221 S. Timberline Road.

To reserve your space . . .

Contact Detective Jaclyn Shaklee at (970) 221-6575 or by e-mail at

Going away for vacation? Take a few moments to keep your home safe while you're gone.

Chances are good you can tell if your neighbor isn't home. And if you can, so can most home burglars. Last year, Fort Collins saw one burglary every 11.8 hours and one property crime every 1.9 hours. So before you leave home don't forget to take a few moments to arrange that "lived-in" look for your home while you are away. A few moments of preparing before you leave home can make your homecoming more welcoming.

A few easy safety tips you can use to help keep your home safe while you're gone:

• If you have a home security system, activate it.
• Use automatic timers for lights, radio, or television to give that lived-in look.
• Turn the ringer on your telephone down so a burglar won't hear your unanswered ringing telephone.
• Arrange for your neighbor to watch your house and cut your lawn.
• Use automatic timers for outdoor watering.
• Have a trusted neighbor give your home that lived-in look by opening and shutting the curtains.
• Stop your mail and newspaper delivery or arrange to have a trusted neighbor pick it up.
• Turn the air conditioner on if it's expected to be hot. Having your home closed up tight as a drum in the hot summer months without the air conditioner running is a dead give away no one is home.
• Never leave a message on your answering machine that you're not home. Instead say you can't come to the phone right now.
• Arrange to have a neighbor put out and remove your trash can on collection day. Having no garbage cans out or an empty can sitting at the curb are tip-offs that you're not home.

Crime Prevention Tip

Teen Drivers & Graduated Drivers Licenses

Their first year behind the wheel is critical. That's why Colorado - and other states across the country - have adopted new Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws for teens. Click to find out more about Colorado's latest GDL laws and for more information about teen driving and how to help your teen become a better, safer driver.

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