Crime Prevention and Safety Week at Berkeley County Schools
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: January 30, 2013
FALLING WATERS, WV- Taking a bite out of crime, Berkeley County schools are teaming up with law enforcement officials to teach kids about safety and crime prevention.
Not to bully others, say no to drugs and not to speak to strangers; youngsters at Marlowe Elementary School are learning about how to keep themselves away from trouble.
They had a surprise visit from Sheriff Kenny LeMaster of the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, who spoke to the students.
"We are just trying to start at an early age," says Sheriff LeMaster. "You would be surprised how these younger citizens we have here have a very good understanding of today's culture."
The visit is apart of crime prevention and safety week at all elementary schools in Berkeley County. Law enforcement officials and board of education officials are going to schools stressing the importance of not committing crimes through magic and tips from McGruff the Crime Dog.
"The staff remembers McGruff being profiled in schools, and his exposure to the students. I think it was effective a few years ago, so we are going to try it again and see if they retain this lesson to say no to drugs and say no to strangers," says Sheriff LeMaster.
"I think it's very important because children a lot of times see police officers as someone, when you have done something bad, so it is good to see them out there spreading good things to do and the important things they need to do," says Principal Amanda Stevens, at Marlowe Elementary School.
And elementary school students say they've learned valuable lessons that could help them for the rest of their lives.
"I think it is cool to have people come to our school, like the Sheriff's Office, because I think I would like to be a police officer when I grow up," says Tyler Nester, a student.
"It's cool and exciting because they teach us about stranger-danger and how to keep us safe," says Katie Myer, a student.
For more information about McGruff Tips, click here !
Not to bully others, say no to drugs and not to speak to strangers; youngsters at Marlowe Elementary School are learning about how to keep themselves away from trouble.
They had a surprise visit from Sheriff Kenny LeMaster of the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, who spoke to the students.
"We are just trying to start at an early age," says Sheriff LeMaster. "You would be surprised how these younger citizens we have here have a very good understanding of today's culture."
The visit is apart of crime prevention and safety week at all elementary schools in Berkeley County. Law enforcement officials and board of education officials are going to schools stressing the importance of not committing crimes through magic and tips from McGruff the Crime Dog.
"The staff remembers McGruff being profiled in schools, and his exposure to the students. I think it was effective a few years ago, so we are going to try it again and see if they retain this lesson to say no to drugs and say no to strangers," says Sheriff LeMaster.
"I think it's very important because children a lot of times see police officers as someone, when you have done something bad, so it is good to see them out there spreading good things to do and the important things they need to do," says Principal Amanda Stevens, at Marlowe Elementary School.
And elementary school students say they've learned valuable lessons that could help them for the rest of their lives.
"I think it is cool to have people come to our school, like the Sheriff's Office, because I think I would like to be a police officer when I grow up," says Tyler Nester, a student.
"It's cool and exciting because they teach us about stranger-danger and how to keep us safe," says Katie Myer, a student.
For more information about McGruff Tips, click here !
