The mission of this unit is to establish and maintain communication within the community, provide information that will assist the public to protect themselves against criminal acts, and improve the ability of the community to reduce criminal behavior.

Their responsibilities include the coordination and development of programs including, but not limited to, the following:

• Bicycle safety programs
• Children's fingerprinting
• Crime prevention programs (ex. home security surveys, new homeowner packets, vehicle theft protection)
• Drug and alcohol abuse awareness programs (DARE)
• Personal safety programs for children and adults
• Senior citizen safety and identification programs
• Project Adventure (confidence building activities for youth at a summer camp)
• Onondaga County Sheriff's Office public displays

This unit also serves as the coordinator for the County's Neighborhood Watch Program, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Working closely with Officers of Neighborhood Watch of CNY Inc.
• Attending neighborhood watch meetings and presenting safety programs and ideas as well as answering questions from the community
• Facilitating the training for new groups
• Maintaining a record of all groups formed within Onondaga County
• Organizing the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office displays for National Night Out
• Assisting with other community events
• Giving community presentations

This unit is the coordinator for outside presentations by approving presentation requests and arranging for an appropriate Sheriff's Office member to provide the material requested.

The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program is a 17-week program and involves educating children in such topics as drug education, considering consequences, peer pressure, self esteem, assertiveness, stress, violence, media, negative risk, and positive alternatives.

Please go to www.dare.com to sign up for the DARE America Bulletins to stay informed about the DARE program and to receive other vital information about drugs and violence.

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Related Links:

Check out our official DARE Kids interactive web site! Crime Prevention Tips for Kids