Girls Scouts Police Tour

Troop 32039 recently took a tour of the El Cerrito Police Department. This event was on my goal list for sometime. Through the media, we all too often hear about the negative side of the law enforcement and too few of the good. I wanted our troop to understand the role of the police department in our community and more importantly to learn some safety tips that could help them if ever danger knocked on their door.

Our host for the day was Sergeant David Wentworth, an almost twenty year veteran of the force. He was informative, friendly and patient with all of the girls questions, all while sharing valuable information for them in case they got in harms way.

Sergeant Wentworth explained to the girls the role of the police in the community including their presence in both the local middle and high school. He fielded questions about how 911 works, the kind of crimes they mostly field and surprised us with the fact that police work very long shifts. I was impressed and exhausted for them. That type of work is no easy task.

Sergeant Wentworth went to to share tips around safely. He stated with the importance of paying attention to one's surroundings when outside the home. He stressed to the girls the mistake of looking down at their phones when walking home, on the bus or in the mall. Not being aware of who and what was nearby could increase their risk of harm at the hands of others. Additionally, he spoke about how to make their voices big so that they can be heard if they were in jeopardy of being harmed.  He also explained when to make themselves silent such as a home invasion or school lock down, when they would need to hide and be as quiet as humanly possible. He discussed how to access emergency support from one's phone in such a scenario. The idea of a school lock down led to some interesting questions, some which revealed how some of the girls think. Some had vivid imaginations but better to be thinking about such things than not.

The girls also learned about cyber danger including cat fishing and the consequences of posting unfavorable things on line and having them be accessible to anyone, anywhere in the future.  Even years later. Some examples were given and from the look of surprise on their faces, it was apparent they had no idea how something put out in cyber space today could potentially hurt them or others in the future. For parents, he reviewed ways for us to monitor what our kids are doing on their phones, tablets and/or computers. 

When he finished his talk with the girls, Sergeant Wentworth gave the girls a tour of the department. There was a small holding cell and several jail cells for overnight visitors. The girls were both nervous and excited to go inside both. Of course, I had to tease them and ask them if they wanted to spend the night. I got a unanimous "No!" on that! But all teasing aside, I think seeing the small jail made a significant impression on the girls and the gravity of bad behavior. 

After the girls had their tour and learned some very relevant safety tips, they got a hands on experience of a police vehicle. They got to touch and explore lights, buttons and sirens. This was quite exciting for them. even at their older age. It was a good way to end a somber beginning because talking about danger is no fun task. Yet it was necessary and I know we all walked away more knowledgeable and prepared. Our goal was met and hopefully our girls are a big safer for it.

the holding cell.