October 2008 Themes for Community Outreach
- Crime Prevention Month
- Diversity Awareness Month
- National Cyber Security Month
- October 2-4, 2008: Celebrate Safe Communities
- October 7-13, 2008: Fire Prevention Week
- October 19-25, 2008: America's Safe Schools Week
- October 20-24, 2008: National School Bus Safety Week
- October 23-31, 2008: National Red Ribbon Week
Crime Prevention Month
More than twenty-five million Americans are victims of crime each year. Support Crime Prevention Month and help your community Take A Bite Out Of Crime®. Simple or elaborate, your crime prevention project can have a far-reaching impact. The National Crime Prevention Council website has some great ideas to spread the word about crime prevention and promote Halloween safety, including tips on personal and community safety. McGruff.org has games and tips for children and the NCPC website provides information on their latest public service announcements. NCPC also has a downloadable Crime Prevention Month Kit and other NCPC publications and resources.
Diversity Awareness Month
Consider meeting with area minority leaders – in businesses, schools, churches, and local organizations – to discuss the role in promoting Citizen Corps. Organize public speaking opportunities or radio interviews for minority leaders to promote increased participation from the diverse sectors of your community.
National Cyber Security Month
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division sponsors National Cyber Security Awareness Month in October, designed to educate the public on the shared responsibility of protecting cyberspace. DHS employs numerous strategies to increase the security, resiliency, and reliability of the nation's information technology (IT) and communications infrastructure.
October 2-4, 2008: Celebrate Safe Communities
The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) are teaming up on Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC), an exciting initiative designed to help local law enforcement agencies and their community partners kick off celebrations of Crime Prevention Month every October! New and existing resources and tools are available to the public to provide a way for people to get involved and share success stories. Local initiatives are eligible for recognition and awards.
October 5-11, 2008: Fire Prevention Week
Contact your local newspaper, radio, and television outlets to let reporters know that this week is National Fire Prevention Week. Provide local statistics and information about the damage fires have done and can do, as well as information on preventing fires. Consider arranging for local firefighters to visit middle and high schools to talk to students about fire prevention. Organize door-to-door campaigns to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.
National Fire Prevention Week has been sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) since 1922. Contact local NFPA groups to work with them to help spread the fire safety message. Visit the NFPA Fire Prevention Week website for more information.
October 19-25, 2008: America's Safe Schools Week
The National School Safety Center (NSSC), state governors and state school superintendents sponsor America's Safe Schools Week. This observance is also actively supported by local, state and national public officials and professional organizations. NSSC's goal in this campaign is to motivate key education and law enforcement policymakers, as well as students, parents and community residents, to vigorously advocate school safety.
October 20-24, 2008: National School Bus Safety Week
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) promotes National School Bus Safety Week the third week in October. This nationwide contest for students in grades K-8 is a great way to get youth involved in preparedness and safety education in their own education institutions. The National School Bus Safety Poster Contest allows for students to artistically represent a safety theme and chance to win a prize.
October 23-31, 2008: National Red Ribbon Week
National Red Ribbon Week is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse. The National Family Partnership is the sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Week Celebration. The organization helps citizens across the state come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through parent training, networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign.