Personal Safety

CHILD SAFETY TIPS

The Manhattan Beach Police Department is committed to protecting the children in our community. We have created a "Child Safety Tips" pamphlet to assist parents in the "stranger awareness" education of their children. We hope the information below, as well as the guide will serve as a starting point for family discussions on child safety.

Who is a Stranger? Someone that you and your family members do not know. However, there are good people who you may not know, but they can help you. Such as police officers and teachers. Parents should talk to kids about other people they can trust. The problem is not all bad strangers look mean and scary; they can look like ordinary people.

Playing Safe. Never play in alleys or empty buildings and always use the "buddy system" instead of going by yourself. And, never go anywhre unless you have your parent's permission.

A Child's Responsibility . Know your name,parents' names, phone number and address. Know how to call 9-1-1 and what to do in case a stranger approaches you.

A Parent's Responsibility . Educate your child about strangers and trusted people. Know where your child is and whom they are with. Discuss safe places for your child to goif they are in danger. And, maintaina current photograph and health records.

Remember. Never talk to a stranger. Never get close to or into a stanger's car. And, run away if a stranger approaches you.

For a copy of the complete "Child Safety Tips" brochure, contact Ofcr. John Loy @ 310-318-7337 x5249

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

"Pedestrian Safety is everyone's responsibility. When driving, be sure to yield to people crossing the street. When walking, cross cautiously at a crosswalk. Together, we can keep Manhattan Beach pedestrian friendly.

Special Tips:

No vehicle can "stop on a dime." At 25mph, it requires roughly four car lengths to stop. At 35mph it takes six car lengths to stop (based on dry, level pavement driving conditions).
Watch for turning cars at intersections before you cross the street.
Never enter a roadway from between parked cars or any other place where a driver's visibility is obstructed.
At night, wear or carry something white.
Use extra caution in wet weather as visibility is reduced and vehicle-stopping distance is increased.
Don't insist on your "rights," you could be "dead right."

For more information on this topic, contact the MBPD Traffic Office @ 310-802-5156

HATE CRIMES

California has a number of laws which specifically apply to hate crimes. The District Attorney prosecutes various statues which prohibit this type of conduct. The District Attorney also has the power to seek a civil injunction against anyone interfering with another person's civil rights by threatening violence.

Hate crimes are criminal acts that are based upon a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, or disability.

Examples of hate crimes include:

Use of force to injure, however minor the injury
Threat of violence with the apparent ability to be carried out
Defacing or damaging personal property (vandalism)

Hate incidents generally are derogatory words and forms of harassment that do not rise to the level of a criminal act.

Examples of hate incidents include:

Epithets/slurs that are yelled from a passing vehicle
Name calling at school
Derogatory words during class that are said without the threat of violence

Resources

MBPD ( www.citymb.info or 310-802-5140)
The Anti-Violence Project ( [email protected] or 1-800-373-2227) is a service of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.
L.A. County Commission on Human Relations (213-974-7611)