D.A.R.E.
In January of 2000 Sheriff Ron Peckman established the DARE program for local School Districts in order to properly educate students about the issues they may be facing in reference to drugs.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Deputies Dan Miller and Pat McCarty completed a two week course to become certified as a DARE Instructor. D.A.R.E. is a police officer led series of classroom lessons that teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive, drug and violence free lives.
The program was developed as a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District. It initially focused on elementary school children, but has now been expanded to include middle school and high school students. D.A.R.E. goes far beyond traditional drug abuse programs that emphasize drug identification and the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. These programs not only warn children not to use these substances, but how to resist the pressures to try them. D.A.R.E. teaches children the skills they need to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that may lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Police officers are utilized as regular classroom instructors to teach the various D.A.R.E. curricula. The primary goal of D.A.R.E. is the prevention of substance abuse, gang affiliation and involvement in violence among school children. D.A.R.E. accomplishes this goal by: · Providing students with accurate information about alcohol and drugs · Teaching students how to say "no" to drugs while providing alternatives to drug use · Teaching students decision making skills and about the consequences of their behavior Building students' self-esteem and teaching them to resist peer pressure.
In January of 2000 Sheriff Ron Peckman established the DARE program for local School Districts in order to properly educate students about the issues they may be facing in reference to drugs.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Deputies Dan Miller and Pat McCarty completed a two week course to become certified as a DARE Instructor. D.A.R.E. is a police officer led series of classroom lessons that teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and live productive, drug and violence free lives.
The program was developed as a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Unified School District. It initially focused on elementary school children, but has now been expanded to include middle school and high school students. D.A.R.E. goes far beyond traditional drug abuse programs that emphasize drug identification and the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. These programs not only warn children not to use these substances, but how to resist the pressures to try them. D.A.R.E. teaches children the skills they need to recognize and resist the subtle and overt pressures that may lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Police officers are utilized as regular classroom instructors to teach the various D.A.R.E. curricula. The primary goal of D.A.R.E. is the prevention of substance abuse, gang affiliation and involvement in violence among school children. D.A.R.E. accomplishes this goal by: · Providing students with accurate information about alcohol and drugs · Teaching students how to say "no" to drugs while providing alternatives to drug use · Teaching students decision making skills and about the consequences of their behavior Building students' self-esteem and teaching them to resist peer pressure.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
is a group of neighbors looking out for neighbors. It is getting to know each other and becoming familiar with your neighbors' habits and vehicles so that you will know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary. In addition to recognizing potential suspicious activities, Neighborhood Watch participants report such activity by calling 911. All of this doesn't make you a nosey neighbor - it makes you a good neighbors in the old-fashioned sense of the word. Many people don't want to bother the Sheriff’s Office because they are afraid that it may not be a real emergency or that they may be embarrassed if their suspicions turn out to be unfounded. The Sheriff would much rather be called out to investigate, rather than to be called after a crime has been committed. When in doubt, always call 911. The 911 dispatch is staffed with trained operators who will evaluate your call, rank its priority, and dispatch it to the appropriate deputy. Neighborhood Watch does NOT mean being a vigilante. Participants do not confront suspects or take any personal risks at all.
A successful Neighborhood Watch should result in a sense of ownership by members of each community. A true community-police partnership develops, resulting in reduction in police service calls and reduction in crime or the fear of crime. Awareness is increased, and when a community perspective or support is needed, Neighborhood Watch groups serve as a valuable resource.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH?
· To increase citizen awareness of the crime of burglary and other property crimes prevalent to neighborhoods including theft and vandalism.
· To train citizens in various safety and residential security strategies to make their neighborhood and homes more secure.
· To develop a neighborhood action program where neighbors help watch each other’s residences and report suspicious persons and activities in their neighborhoods.
· To encourage all citizens to cooperate with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office in reporting crime.
Phone 417-448-5555
is a group of neighbors looking out for neighbors. It is getting to know each other and becoming familiar with your neighbors' habits and vehicles so that you will know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary. In addition to recognizing potential suspicious activities, Neighborhood Watch participants report such activity by calling 911. All of this doesn't make you a nosey neighbor - it makes you a good neighbors in the old-fashioned sense of the word. Many people don't want to bother the Sheriff’s Office because they are afraid that it may not be a real emergency or that they may be embarrassed if their suspicions turn out to be unfounded. The Sheriff would much rather be called out to investigate, rather than to be called after a crime has been committed. When in doubt, always call 911. The 911 dispatch is staffed with trained operators who will evaluate your call, rank its priority, and dispatch it to the appropriate deputy. Neighborhood Watch does NOT mean being a vigilante. Participants do not confront suspects or take any personal risks at all.
A successful Neighborhood Watch should result in a sense of ownership by members of each community. A true community-police partnership develops, resulting in reduction in police service calls and reduction in crime or the fear of crime. Awareness is increased, and when a community perspective or support is needed, Neighborhood Watch groups serve as a valuable resource.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH?
· To increase citizen awareness of the crime of burglary and other property crimes prevalent to neighborhoods including theft and vandalism.
· To train citizens in various safety and residential security strategies to make their neighborhood and homes more secure.
· To develop a neighborhood action program where neighbors help watch each other’s residences and report suspicious persons and activities in their neighborhoods.
· To encourage all citizens to cooperate with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office in reporting crime.
Phone 417-448-5555
CHAPLAIN PROGRAM
Sheriff Ron Peckman formed the Chaplain program in 2009 in order to provide comfort and aid to citizens in time of need and/or despair. The Chaplains are made up of clergy from Vernon County. The Chaplains are also associated with other faith based organizations both county and statewide.
Chaplains shall report directly to the Liaison Officer unless instructed otherwise by the Liaison Officer or Sheriff. A Chaplain must be willing to provide on-call service as determined annually. An identification card and badge will be issued. Both are the property of the sheriff’s department and shall be returned to the department upon resignation or termination. The identification card should be carried while on official business with the sheriff’s department.
A Chaplain should be briefed and well informed on an incident as soon as practical. The Chaplain should carry out the duties in a timely and considerate manner, being sensitive to the needs of those involved. If at all possible, to involve the victims own clergy as soon as possible and to ensure support of the victim prior to departure.
Chaplains may be called upon to assist officers in a variety of situations including but not limited to:
· Death notifications which could be homicides, suicides, accidents or natural deaths.
· Accidents involving serious injury to comfort the injured and their families.
· Calm and aid persons who are confused or emotionally upset.
· Attempted or potential suicide victims.
· Domestic Disputes.
· Individuals who simply want or need to talk about their problems.
· Alcoholics/Drug Abusers to assist in gaining admissions to a treatment facility.
· Stranded individuals which need referrals or emergency shelter/food.
· To assist in referral of persons in need of food, shelter or medical service.
· Assist employees of the department.
· Counsel inmates of the jail.
· Provide comfort to victims or families of victims involved in sex offenses.
· Assist officers and citizens as needed or directed.
(Chaplains are not law enforcement officers nor do they possess any law enforcement authority.)
Sheriff Ron Peckman formed the Chaplain program in 2009 in order to provide comfort and aid to citizens in time of need and/or despair. The Chaplains are made up of clergy from Vernon County. The Chaplains are also associated with other faith based organizations both county and statewide.
Chaplains shall report directly to the Liaison Officer unless instructed otherwise by the Liaison Officer or Sheriff. A Chaplain must be willing to provide on-call service as determined annually. An identification card and badge will be issued. Both are the property of the sheriff’s department and shall be returned to the department upon resignation or termination. The identification card should be carried while on official business with the sheriff’s department.
A Chaplain should be briefed and well informed on an incident as soon as practical. The Chaplain should carry out the duties in a timely and considerate manner, being sensitive to the needs of those involved. If at all possible, to involve the victims own clergy as soon as possible and to ensure support of the victim prior to departure.
Chaplains may be called upon to assist officers in a variety of situations including but not limited to:
· Death notifications which could be homicides, suicides, accidents or natural deaths.
· Accidents involving serious injury to comfort the injured and their families.
· Calm and aid persons who are confused or emotionally upset.
· Attempted or potential suicide victims.
· Domestic Disputes.
· Individuals who simply want or need to talk about their problems.
· Alcoholics/Drug Abusers to assist in gaining admissions to a treatment facility.
· Stranded individuals which need referrals or emergency shelter/food.
· To assist in referral of persons in need of food, shelter or medical service.
· Assist employees of the department.
· Counsel inmates of the jail.
· Provide comfort to victims or families of victims involved in sex offenses.
· Assist officers and citizens as needed or directed.
(Chaplains are not law enforcement officers nor do they possess any law enforcement authority.)