FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September
29, 2005
County Agencies Urge Parental
Involvement
To Help Stem Youth Violence
The Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher
Associations (MCCPTA), the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), and
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are working jointly to promote the
health, safety, and well-being of children in
The MCCPTA, MCPD, and MCPS strongly encourage parents to attend after-school
activities with their students. Strong and healthy parental involvement
in a child’s life is the best way to prevent youth violence, drug and alcohol
abuse, gang involvement, and other threats to the safety of young people.
“Parents need to know when and where their children
are at risk. We need the police and schools to work cooperatively with us
to keep us informed and support our parenting, but it is ultimately our
responsibility as parents to ensure our children’s well being at all
times. We encourage all parents to attend after-school activities with
their students. While attending these activities parents should be
diligent at all times and if they witness or hear of anything that threatens
the safety of those around them, they should report what they have witnessed or
heard to the police or school officials who are responsible for crowd control
and safety at these events. We hope that parents will enjoy safe and
memorable activities with their children and that the tragic events of the past
two weekends will not be repeated,” said Cindy Kerr, president of the MCCPTA.
Several serious reports of crimes over the last two months, involving young
people, most under the age of 18, have prompted these organizations to come
together to renew and strengthen current efforts and to initiate new ones aimed
at ensuring that young people avoid situations and actions that can put them in
harm’s way.
“Our community must come together to help our kids
deal with issues of anger and aggression that can lead to violence. We
need to make sure our kids know how to resolve disputes without resorting to
violence and these lessons begin in the home,” said Dr. Jerry D. Weast, superintendent of schools.
Parent involvement with their child’s activities not
only enhances the relationship with their child, it also provides additional
oversight that will promote a safe and healthy environment. Parents are
often more aware of the signs of trouble, and can defuse them before a
situation becomes worse.
“We are asking parents to help us to do our job, by
being a parent who knows where your child is, who they are with, and what they
are doing at all times. Your presence and your supervision can be the
best way to keep your child safe,” said Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.
The police and schools strongly encourage parents and
other responsible adults to accompany their children during after-school and
non-school activities. We ask parents and young people to report threats
to anyone’s safety to authorities. There are several phone numbers to
call to report unsafe activities in
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For
More Information:
MCP Media Services:
240-773-5030
MCCPTA:
301-460-0224
MCPS – Brian Edwards:
301-279-3391