Community Magazine March 2014

Community Chest 92 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Internet Safety Tips from the Safe Foundation While the internet can be used for many wonderful things, letting your children freely soar in cyberspace will definitely expose them to a virtual universe of images and information, some of which you most probably prefer they do not see. Below are some tips that can be used to regulate internet safety in your home. Use parental control software. K-9Web Protection is a site that offers free protective software that you can easily download onto your computer and/or smartphone devices. Explain to your children that unfavorable posts or pictures of themselves on the internet may affect their chances when applying for a job or to a school, or when they are seeking to date. Have your children use privacy settings on social media sites, but explain that once a picture, video, or word is online, there is a great likelihood that it belongs to the public - forever. Show how the ability to take a screen shot enables one to send an image to multitudes of people. Even apps that allow one to take quickly-expiring photos are not foolproof, as one can screen shot the image and forward on and on. As you make it clear that there are few secrets in this day and age, you may want to warn your children that you periodically check the history of their searches, but be aware that setting up a restrictive atmosphere at home is not foolproof, as there is easy access to the universe of the internet just a few steps out your front door! Understand that kids of any age may feel the need to keep up with friends and therefore want to visit sites their friends visit. They may also just be naturally curious. Try to establish comfortable, open and close communication about these things, so you can be involved in shaping and guiding your children to having healthy mindsets when approaching all that is available on the internet. Caution your family members not to communicate with people they don’t know, as identities can easily be masked by a computer/ phone screen. Make it clear that you are there to help if they encounter any form of cyber-bullying. If you or someone you knowneeds help, please call SAFE’s confidential, toll-freehotline,24/7at1-866-569-SAFE(1-866-569-7233).Haveaquestion? E-mail ask@thesafefoundation.org . Learnmore about The Safe Foundation, and get helpful tips, information and resources at www.TheSafeFoundation.org . Help us Protect our Community! Community Safety & Security (CSS) and the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol (FSSP) are embarking on a new initiative to ensure the safety and stability of our community. CSS is an affiliate of the Sephardic Community Federation (SCF), the umbrella public policy organization of the Sephardic community. Jack Cayre is the chairman of this new organization, which formed to help insure the safety of our community by establishing initiatives to help reduce crime. “Recently, we have seen a need in the community for further protection and safety. That is why we took the next step in forming an organization such as CSS. We want to help deter any criminal activity while making sure that the members of the community feel safe once again,” said Cayre. This new organization has been fortunate to have the backing of Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, a longtime friend of the community. He has pledged to assist the organization in any way he can, including working with the organization to obtain funding for security cameras. The Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol was founded in 1991 by now Councilman Chaim Deutsch with the support of neighborhood rabbinical leaders. The Shomrim’s volunteers patrol in their own unmarked cars while looking for any kind of unusual activity. On occasion they can patrol for a few hours or possibly even through the night if they are searching for a missing person. While all crimes should always be reported to 911, if community members call the Shomrim hotline number to report unusual activity, they either summon the police, who respond promptly or the Shomrim members arrive quietly at the scene to observe the situation. They have the ability to respond quickly and devote more time to low priority level activities, such as reports of suspicious individuals in the neighborhood. CSS, in conjunction with the Flatbush Shomrim are looking to increase the Shomrim presence in our neighborhood and expand their patrol coverage to the area between Avenues I to Y and from McDonald Avenue to Coney Island Avenue. They are currently seeking qualified individuals who reside in that area to apply to become a volunteer member of the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol. The candidates should preferably be over the age of 20 and have their own car and be on call whenever they are in the neighborhood, both day and night. Once a week on an assigned night, the Shomrim member will be required to patrol from 10pm - 2am. If you would like to apply and are serious and committed to helping your community, please contact CSS at (347) 781-4679 or by email at CSS@SephardicFederation.org