Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott continues to warn citizens of not falling prey to criminals who call and demand money. The Sheriff stated that the department continues to receive calls from citizens stating that they have been contacted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Leon Lott states that no government agency will call you and threaten jail time if you do not pay them; furthermore, the big red flag should be the fact that these scam artists are asking you to go and purchase Green Dot cards. No one is immune from receiving telephone calls from these scammers. The Sheriff stated that the suspects behind these scams are ramping up their efforts as the holiday season approaches to steal your hard earned money. The Sheriff reminds us to not give out your personal information over the phone if you are unsure of who you are actually speaking to; some of these criminals are pretty good at convincing you into believing in what they say, DON”T BE FOOLED! Always verify, hang up and call the official number for any State agency that these scammers say may be calling from and you’re not familiar with. Sheriff Leon Lott also warns of scams that are specifically targeting our precious elderly; family members should always check to make sure our seniors are not getting caught up in such scams. The Sheriff adds that senior citizens can fall prey and become too embarrassed to tell anyone about how much money they’ve lost to these criminals. Stay alert, protect yourself and your family members! The Sheriff reminds citizens to be aware of these scams and the techniques used to steal your money: - beware of phone calls or letters claiming that you have won the lottery or sweepstakes - beware of phone calls claiming they are the IRS, INS, RCSD, or any law enforcement agency collecting money - be suspicious of any call asking for money The Sheriff states that Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigators will continue the efforts to arrest those responsible for fraud. If you have any information to assist with solving these types of crimes, please call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC
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Students will soon be walking and riding their bikes to school in the dark due to Daylight Saving Time ending. If you are a parent, teacher or road safety professional reading this you probably realize how important it is that children can be seen by drivers. Here are some ideas to help you encourage children to be bright. On the Catwalk
WHAT IS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME? Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of moving the clocks forward one hour from Standard Time for the summer months, and changing them back again in the fall. The general idea is that this allows us all to make better use of natural daylight. However, DST has many detractors. WHEN IS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME 2017? To remember which way to set their clocks, folks often use the expression, “Spring forward, fall back.” DST ends on Sunday, November 5, at 2:00 A.M. At this time, we “fall back” in the fall by setting clocks back one hour (i.e., gaining one hour). DST 2018 will begin on Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 2:00 A.M. Remember to “spring forward” in the spring and set your clocks forward one hour (i.e., losing one hour). THE HISTORY OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Does changing the clocks really provide benefits? We’ll let you be the judge. BLAME BEN? Benjamin Franklin’s “An Economical Project,” written in 1784, is the earliest known proposal to “save” daylight. It was whimsical in tone, advocating laws to compel citizens to rise at the crack of dawn to save the expense of candlelight: “Every morning, as soon as the Sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing: and if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street to wake the sluggards effectually… . Oblige a man to rise at four in the morning, and it is probable that he will go willingly to bed at eight in the evening.” DST’S TRUE FOUNDER? The first true proponent of Daylight Saving Time was an Englishman named William Willet. A London builder, he conceived the idea while riding his horse early one morning in 1907. He noticed that the shutters of houses were tightly closed even though the Sun had risen. In “The Waste of Daylight,” the manifesto of his personal light-saving campaign, Willet wrote, “Everyone appreciates the long, light evenings. Everyone laments their shrinkage as the days grow shorter; and nearly everyone has given utterance to a regret that the nearly clear, bright light of an early morning during Spring and Summer months is so seldom seen or used… . That so many as 210 hours of daylight are, to all intents and purposes, wasted every year is a defect in our civilization. Let England recognise and remedy it.” Willet spent a small fortune lobbying businessmen, members of Parliament, and the U.S. Congress to put clocks ahead 20 minutes on each of the four Sundays in April, and reverse the process on consecutive Sundays in September. But his proposal was met mostly with ridicule. One community opposed it on moral grounds, calling the practice the sin of “lying” about true time. WORLD WAR I LED TO ADOPTION OF DST Attitudes changed after World War I broke out. The government and citizenry recognized the need to conserve coal used for heating homes. The Germans were the first to officially adopt the light-extending system in 1915, as a fuel-saving measure during World War I. This led to the introduction in 1916 of British Summer Time: From May 21 to October 1, clocks in Britain were put an hour ahead. The United States followed in 1918, when Congress passed the Standard Time Act, which established the time zones. However, this was amidst great public opposition. A U.S. government Congressional Committee was formed to investigate the benefits of Daylight Saving Time. Many Americans viewed the practice as an absurd attempt to make late sleepers get up early. Others thought that it was unnatural to follow “clock time” instead of “Sun time.” A columnist in the Saturday Evening Post offered this alternative: “Why not ‘save summer’ by having June begin at the end of February?” The matter took on new meaning in April 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson declared war. Suddenly, energy conservation was of paramount importance, and several efforts were launched to enlist public support for changing the clocks. A group called the National Daylight Saving Convention distributed postcards showing Uncle Sam holding a garden hoe and rifle, turning back the hands of a huge pocket watch. Voters were asked to sign and mail to their congressman postcards that declared, “If I have more daylight, I can work longer for my country. We need every hour of light.” Manhattan’s borough president testified to Congress that the extra hour of light would be a boon to home gardening, and therefore increase the Allies’ food supply. Posters chided, “Uncle Sam, your enemies have been up and are at work in the extra hour of daylight—when will YOU wake up?” With public opinion in its favor, Congress officially declared that all clocks would be moved ahead one hour at 2:00 A.M. on March 31, 1918. (Canada adopted a similar policy later the same year.) Americans were encouraged to turn off their lights and go to bed earlier than they normally did—at around 8:00 P.M. FARMERS DID NOT FAVOR DST Many Americans wrongly point to farmers as the driving force behind Daylight Saving Time. In fact, farmers were its strongest opponents and, as a group, stubbornly resisted the change from the beginning. When the war was over, the farmers and working-class people who had held their tongues began to speak out. They demanded an end to Daylight Saving Time, claiming that it benefited only office workers and the leisure class. The controversy put a spotlight on the growing gap between rural and urban dwellers. As a writer for the Literary Digest put it, “The farmer objects to doing his early chores in the dark merely so that his city brother, who is sound asleep at the time, may enjoy a daylight motor ride at eight in the evening.” The Daylight Saving Time experiment lasted only until 1920, when the law was repealed due to opposition from dairy farmers (cows don’t pay attention to clocks). No fewer than 28 bills to repeal Daylight Saving Time had been introduced to Congress, and the law was removed from the books. American had tolerated Daylight Saving Time for about seven months. DST RETURNS The subject did not come up again until after the attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941, and the United States was once again at war. During World War II, Daylight Saving Time was imposed once again (this time year-round) to save fuel. Clocks were set one hour ahead to save energy. After the war (which concluded with Japan’s final surrender on September 2, 1945), Daylight Saving Time started being used on and off in different states, beginning and ending on days of their choosing. LOCAL DIFFERENCES AND INCONSISTENCY Inconsistent adherence to time zones among the states created considerable confusion with interstate bus and train service. To remedy the situation, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, establishing consistent use of Daylight Saving Time within the United States: Clocks were to be set ahead one hour on the last Sunday in April and one hour back on the last Sunday in October. That was the rule, but some state legislatures took exception via a loophole that had been built into the law. Residents of Hawaii and most of Arizona did not change their clocks. Residents of Indiana, which straddles the Eastern and Central time zones, were sharply divided on Daylight Saving Time: Some counties employed it, some did not. In 1986, the U.S. Congress approved a bill to increase the period of Daylight Saving Time, moving the start to the first Sunday in April. The goal was to conserve oil used for generating electricity—an estimated 300,000 barrels annually. Still, some resistance remained:
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME TODAY The current daylight saving period was established with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which went into effect in 2007. As a result, most Americans now spring forward (turn clocks ahead and lose an hour) on the second Sunday in March (at 2:00 A.M.) and fall back (turn clocks back and gain an hour) on the first Sunday in November (at 2:00 A.M.). However, even today, farmers’ organizations lobby Congress against the practice, preferring early daylight to dry their fields and a Standard Time sunset for sending their work at a reasonable hour. Some farmers point out that the Daylight Saving Time is deceptively misnamed. “It is a gimmick that changes the relationship between ‘Sun’ time and ‘clock’ time but saves neither time nor daylight,” says Katherine Dutro, spokesperson for the Indiana Farm Bureau. Most of Canada is on Daylight Saving Time; only portions of Saskatchewan and small pockets of British Columbia remain on Standard Time year-round. However, the practice has its detractors. In the words of a current-day Canadian poultry producer, “The chickens do not adapt to the changed clock until several weeks have gone by, so the first week of April and the last week of October are very frustrating for us.” Similarly, one Canadian researcher likened an increase in traffic accidents to the onset of Daylight Saving Time. Other experts insist that the extra hour of daylight reduces crime. https://www.almanac.com/content/when-daylight-saving-time When temperatures drop, children need extra attention to stay warm, safe and healthy. Young children are less likely to recognize when they are cold and more likely to lose body heat quickly due to their smaller size. Here are some tips to protect children when the thermometer dips:
Sources: Save the Children, American Academy of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Health System http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.8953697/ TV, interactive video games, and the Internet can be excellent sources of education and entertainment for kids. But too much screen time can have unhealthy side effects.
That's why it's wise to monitor and limit the time your kids spend playing video games, watching TV, and using the Internet. What's Recommended? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued these guidelines for screen time:
Screen Time Here are some practical ways to make kids' screen time more productive:
Talking Is Important Talk to kids about what they see on screens, and share your own beliefs and values. If something you don't approve of appears on the screen, turn off the screen and use the opportunity to talk with your child. Here are some suggestions:
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tv-habits.html?WT.ac=ctg#
It takes confidence to be a kid. Whether going to a new school or stepping up to bat for the first time, kids face a lot of uncharted territory.
Naturally, parents want to instill a can-do attitude in their kids so that they'll bravely take on new challenges and, over time, believe in themselves. While each child is a little different, parents can follow some general guidelines to build kids' confidence. Self-confidence rises out of a sense of competence. In other words, kids develop confidence not because parents tell them they're great, but because of their achievements, big and small. Sure, it's good to hear encouraging words from mom and dad. But words of praise mean more when they refer to a child's specific efforts or new abilities. When kids achieve something, whether it's brushing their own teeth or riding a bike, they get a sense of themselves as able and capable, and tap into that high-octane fuel of confidence. Building self-confidence can begin very early. When babies learn to turn the pages of a book or toddlers learn to walk, they are getting the idea "I can do it!" With each new skill and milestone, kids can develop increasing confidence. Parents can help by giving kids lots of opportunities to practice and master their skills, letting kids make mistakes and being there to boost their spirits so they keep trying. Respond with interest and excitement when kids show off a new skill, and reward them with praise when they achieve a goal or make a good effort. With plentiful opportunities, good instruction, and lots of patience from parents, kids can master basic skills — like tying their shoes and making the bed. Then, when other important challenges present themselves, kids can approach them knowing that they have already been successful in other areas. Stay on the Sidelines Of course, supervision is important to ensure that kids stay safe. But to help them really learn a new skill, it's also important not to hover. Give kids the opportunity to try something new, make mistakes, and learn from them. For instance, if your son wants to learn how to make a peanut butter sandwich, demonstrate, set up the ingredients, and let him give it a try. Will he make a bit of a mess? Almost certainly. But don't swoop in the second some jelly hits the countertop. In fact, avoid any criticism that could discourage him from trying again. If you step in to finish the sandwich, your son will think, "Oh well, I guess I can't make sandwiches." But if you have patience for the mess and the time it takes to learn, the payoff will be real. Someday soon he'll be able to say, "I'm hungry for lunch, so I'm going to make my own sandwich." You might even reply, "Great, can you make me one, too?" What a clear sign of your faith in his abilities! Offer Encouragement and Praise Sometimes, kids give up when frustrations arise. Help by encouraging persistence in the midst of setbacks. By trying again, kids learn that obstacles can be overcome. Once kids reach a goal, you'll want to praise not only the end result but also their willingness to stick with it. For instance, after your son has mastered making that peanut butter sandwich you might show your confidence by saying, "Next time, want to learn how to crack an egg?" Sandwich-fixing and egg-cracking might not seem like huge achievements, but they're important steps in the right direction — toward your child's independence. Throughout childhood, parents have chances to prepare kids to take care of themselves. Sure, it's great to feel needed, but as kids steadily gain confidence and independence, their relationship with you can be even richer. You can be bonded, not just by dependence, but by love and shared pride in all they've achieved. Eventually, your grown-up kids just might say thanks for how prepared they feel for the road ahead — a road they can take with confidence.
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/confidence.html?WT.ac=ctg#
"As your Sheriff, I know the importance of providing our students the proper tools to identify drugs and alcohol and know how to say no. D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, aims to help students avoid drugs or other high risk
behaviors." -Sheriff Leon Lott After State funding for DARE was discontinued in 2003, the SC Criminal Justice Academy no longer had the ability to teach and certify officers in the DARE program. Starved of its funding, the program seemed destined to end. Sheriff Leon Lott, however, refused to let the program die in South Carolina and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department became the state training center for DARE. The DARE Training Center acts as the liaison between the State DARE Officers and D.A.R.E. America. The job of the training center is to disseminate national updates, concerns, and to recommend qualified D.A.R.E. Officers to be trained as Mentors. The Training Center also maintains officer certification records and agencies' statistical records to assure correct data collection. It is also the mission of the Training Center to train law enforcement officers in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Curriculum while adhering to the guidelines and upholding the integrity standards set by D.A.R.E. America Training will also involve certifying officers in South Carolina's School Resource Officer Program course while following the guidelines set forth by law. The Training Center reports all of its data to the Executive Director, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. The two week DARE Officer Training (D.O.T.) will be delivered as often as needed based on statewide demand. What the DARE Training Center does: 1. Develop raw talent into effective instructors of the D.A.R.E. Curriculum. 2. Familiarize officers with teaching techniques, classroom management skills and public speaking skills. 3. Instill the importance of being prepared in order to be an effective instructor and enjoy being a certified DARE Instructor/School Resource Officer. 4. Develop belief in oneself and ability to impart knowledge to students, enabling them to “Take Charge” of their life by making wise decisions about drug use and avoiding violence. Knowledge is POWER! 5. Hold in-service training for the state DARE Officers on any supplemental lesson plans or restructuring of the current D.A.R.E. Program. 6. Critique trained D.A.R.E. officers in their schools to maintain the quality of the D.A.R.E. curriculum and give corrective criticism when needed to maintain the integrity of D.A.R.E. 7. Promote the D.A.R.E. program to all law enforcement agencies, educators, and government agencies by sharing the scientific base delivery strategy for students. This strategy allows the student to “Take Charge” of him/herself. Having knowledge of consequences that stems from their decisions making skills is strong. Also understanding how it will impact them, their families, their friends and future endeavors will make a lasting impression. The D.A.R.E. program is taught at schools throughout Richland County. There are several community events where you can lend your support for the life changing curriculum. For more information about D.A.R.E. please contact Deputy Arlene Sharpe at the SC D.A.R.E. Training Center, (803) 309-1626 or [email protected]. http://www.rcsd.net/dare/index.html * Stay alert. * Always be aware of your surroundings, who's in front of you and who's behind you. Don't get distracted. * Walk purposefully, stand tall, and make eye contact with people around you. * TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave. * Make yourself a "tough target." * Don't think that it can't happen to you. * Should you resist? Everyone and every situation is different. * If being followed or stalked, call 911 or drive directly to a police station. IF YOU'RE ATTACKED * Keep you head. Stay as calm as possible and evaluate your options and resources. * It may be more advisable to submit than to resist and risk severe injury or death. You will have to make this decision based on the circumstances. But, don't resist if the attacker has a weapon. * Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn't work, try another. Possible options include negotiating, stalling for time, distracting the assailant and fleeing to a safe place, verbal assertiveness, screaming, and physical resistance. * You may be able to turn the attacker off with unusual behavior such as throwing up, acting crazy, or stating you have a sexually transmitted disease. AFTER A SEXUAL ASSAULT * Go to a safe place and call the police. * The sooner you report the crime, the greater the chances your attacker will be caught. * DO NOT shower, bathe, douche, or destroy any clothing you were wearing. Do not disturb any physical evidence. * Go to a hospital emergency room for medical care. * Call someone to be with you. You should not be alone. Contact a rape treatment or crisis center to help you deal with the consequences of the assault. WHILE DRIVING * Keep your car in good condition with the gas tank at least half full. * Park in well-lighted areas and lock your doors, no matter how long you'll be gone. * Put valuables out of sight or in the trunk. * Check front and rear seats, and floorboards before entering your car. * Drive with all doors locked and windows rolled up. * Never pick up hitchhikers. If your car breaks down, put the hood up, lock your doors, turn on the flashers, and move to the passenger seat. Do not leave your car. If someone stops to help, roll down the window slightly and ask them to call the police or a tow truck. * Avoid underground and enclosed parking garages if possible. * When parking or returning to your vehicle, carry your keys and be aware of your surroundings. * Consider investing in a cellular telephone. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott invites you to attend “Rock the Lott” a FREE Trunk or Treat event! Come have fun with us on Tuesday, October, 31st at 1701 Westchester Drive (Columbia High School Parking Lot) 6:00-8:00pm. Bring your children to this is fun filled, family friendly, and safe environment with lots to do for the entire family. Meet the mascots, Cocky from the University of South Carolina, Dave, from Clemson University, The Tiger from Benedict College, Spike from South Carolina State, Chic Fil A Cow, and Rushy from Rush’s. We’ll have vendors on hand, fun and games for the children, and your favorite RCSD Live PD deputies! Children will be able to visit deputies vehicles with tons of candy for fun Trunk or Treating! It’s the Sheriff’s way to continue to Build Unity in the Community! |