For many of us, gang violence seems like something that happens in other neighborhoods, in movies or on TV. But it’s important to recognize how pervasive it really is, and how susceptible our kids and teens could be to the dangers. Gang violence is not just limited to urban centers, to poverty or any particular ethnic group or race.  The National Center for Victims of Crime reminds us that gangs can reach out to rural and suburban communities, no matter the socio-economic or cultural make up.

Such violence brought tragedy to three California families in May of 2009. Police say that a group of thugs walked up behind unsuspecting 25 year-old C.J. Davis as he was on his way to the market, and opened fire on him with an assault rifle. While speeding away from the scene and with police in hot pursuit, the Cadillac carrying the gang members slammed into another car at an intersection, killing the other driver instantly. The impact sent the vehicles spinning out of control, striking and killing a pedestrian as well. While three of the gang members have since been apprehended, a fourth, Rafael Campbell is still at large.

This senseless tragedy set in motion by a violent act is an example of how far reaching the consequences can be to a community, in this case leaving three families devastated. For parents, it’s important that you are aware not only of what is going on in your neighborhood, but also how it could be affecting your kids.

The AMW Safety Center has a lot of information for parents and teens to help recognize some of these dangers as they exist in our schools and community, and how to take an active role to try fighting back.

Getting Involved Against Gangs In Your Community

 How Can I Help My Friends Stay Away From Gangs?

Start Celebrating Safe Communities Today

Create An Effective And Successful Neighborhood Watch

No matter your age, Halloween can be a fun time for the whole family. But as you prepare your costumes and final decorations for the big celebration, make sure you keep safety on your mind.

The AMW Safety Center has plenty of tips for you and your family to keep in mind as you hit the streets this weekend. Parents and guardians should be sure to closely supervise young children, and make sure your older kids are prepared with the street smarts they need to be out in the neighborhood at night.

Halloween is also a time for a significant rise in injuries, so be sure to remind your kids that it’s not all fun and games. Check out some of the information and resources below that we’ve prepared to help make your Halloween safe and fun for the whole family. (more…)

The biggest misconception regarding victimization is that a crime victim brings it upon themselves.  There are many types of crimes that could happen to anyone, but it’s important to recognize that it isn’t your fault.

Whether sexual assault, robbery, vandalism, or other crimes, everyone deserves help in getting through the experience. The National Center for Victims of Crime has a lot of information and resources to help you regain control, and help you recover a sense of balance in your life after a crime.

For 25 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has worked tirelessly to protect our kids. Whether reuniting families and recovering missing children, or tracking down those who would threaten their safety, NCMEC has been a champion of families all over the country. The AMW Safety Center gives you an inside look at how NCMEC works; showing you some of the high tech tools and the strategic partnerships they have forged with top government agencies to help keep our children safe.

In our fast paced society, our cellphones have become such an important tool for keeping up with contacts while on the go. Whether communicating a change in plans, getting in touch with work or our kids, or during the course of running errands, our cell phones help to keep us moving along without missing a beat.

Unfortunately, for too many people, using a phones on the go means using it while in the car. More and more of us are talking, or even worse, texting while driving, leading to an increase in dangerous highway accidents.

According to American Automobile Association (AAA) research, 1 in 5 drivers in the U.S. admitted to texting while driving at least once in the prior 30 days. Using a phone while driving creates a dangerous distraction to the driver, putting themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the road around them at risk of accident. (more…)

Scams come in many different shapes — identity theft, credit repair, smishing, phone crammers, online dating — but they all have the same goal: taking advantage of you. If you are targetted by a scammer, you might be taken for cash, or worse, you could be the victim of identity theft. Someone could get control of your personal information and if you are unaware, they could continue spending money in your name, open new accounts, ruin your credit and ruin your life.

Over 9 million Americans fall victim to some form of identity theft each year, so it’s important to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to be sure you are protecting yourself.

The AMW Safety Center is full of information to help you identify all types of scams. And if you happen to find yourself the victim of a scam, we have a lot of tips for what to do to help you regain control. (more…)

On a seemingly normal day, mother Sandra Lopez had left her 3 children in the care of a family friend, Berny Figueroa. Sandra thought her to be trustworthy, but was unaware of Figueroa’s violent tendencies, which unfortunately turned deadly. A nightmare for any parent, Sandra is now forced to cope with the murder of her daughter, while Berny Figueroa remains at large.

Our children are our most precious resource, so it can be tough to find someone you trust to look after your kids when you can’t be around. When hiring a babysitter, you want to be sure you are leaving your kid in good hands. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most important criteria from Kids Health and the Red Cross that you should consider both in choosing your babysitter, and in making sure they’re prepared for an emergency while looking after your kids. (more…)

Now that summer vacation is coming to a close, parents everywhere are getting their kids ready to go back to school. As you prepare your kids with school supplies and new gear, you also want to make sure they are equipped with some important health and safety tips to help them stay on guard throughout the school year.

The AMW Safety Center features some great tips for both kids and parents to help build awareness and street smarts. As we’ve stated a number of times, prevention is your greatest defense against trouble. You won’t always be around to keep your kids safe, so taking a moment to go over some of this information with your children ahead of time can go a long way towards making sure your they make the right choices when they are faced with a split second decision down the line. (more…)

Child sexual abuse is one of the most poignant forms of abuse, and it’s a crime that affects the entire family. There are several symptoms that could raise a flag signaling abuse, and recognizing these signs could help you save a child.

If you notice unexplained illnesses and injuries, or if a child begins to withdraw, become fearful or lose self confidence, these are all signs that a child could be being abused.

Check out the National Center for Victims of Crime for more tips on identifying an abused child, and for a wealth of resources available to help victims deal with the pain.

Earlier this month, communities all over the country organized events around National Night Out to help reinforce a relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.

But you don’t have to wait until next year to bring your neighborhood together. This summer, President Obama called on all Americans to dedicate some of their time to serving their community. There is still plenty of time for you to get involved and volunteer some of your time toward empowering your neighborhood against crime.

There are countless activities you can get involved in that bring people in your community together and that can send a message to criminals. Starting a neighborhood watch, volunteering you time to graffiti removal and litter pick up, or setting up community activities that kids can get involved in are a few of the many activities that contribute to cleaning up a neighborhood. (more…)