I want to talk about Block Parents. I have been on my book tour and have come across some angry supporters of this age old neighborhood safety initiative. You see, in my new book Safe Kids Safe Families (HarperCollins) I talk about old, outdated programs that simply don’t work in today’s society. The Block Parent program is on the list.
Here is why… The Block Parent program focuses on a place rather than people. There is no such thing as an inherently safe place. It is situations that can be deemed safe or not. It is difficult, if not impossible to regulate.
The rules are that a Block Parent must only place their sign in the window for kids if they area home and able to help. But often signs are left in the windows or forgotten in the first place. It is even more difficult to guarantee that all parties within the Block Parent home are safe. I know as a former police officer that the absence of a criminal record does not prove that a person is safe. In fact, many very dangerous and volatile people do not have a criminal record for numerous reasons - lack of witnesses willing to testify, lack of reports, lack of justice system convictions the list goes on and on.
The Block Parent program focuses on background checks that involve criminal records and local checks, but only for people who reside in the home. They do not include the potential deviant uncle visiting, or any other factor.
The sheer size of the Block Parent program, coupled with diminishing volunteer interest, and strict policy on updating criteria for existing Block Parents makes it impossible to regulate. Which is why many police departments have pulled away from the program. Their hearts are in the right place, but in reality, it is impossible to suggest that over 100,000 homes in Canada are checked regularly to guarantee that there has been no new residences, new criminal activity or simply that they all follow the rules.
Do you recall Michael Brier? He is the monster who fantasized for years about abducting, raping and killing a young girl, who eventually abducted and murdered little Holly Jones in Toronto in 2003. Brier had no criminal record, and if applied, would have likely passed the Block Parent screening process.
Now, I am not suggesting that there are Block Parents out there that are as dangerous and monstrous as Brier, but who knows? And I am not willing to take the chance with my kids.
It is better to teach your children to go to a home, business or person that they know and trust in the case of an emergency or frightening situation rather than a complete stranger. In fact, parents should walk the route to and from school, the play ground, friends homes, or wherever their child will be traveling alone and point out the homes that you determine to have safe people inside. If your child has never met these people, introduce them. Get to know your neighbors and neighborhoods.
Kids should always choose a safe adult that they trust because they know them, not because a sign says so.
The Block Parent program, although run by very committed, kind and dedicated volunteers, has flaws, and as such has been disbanded by most police departments and communities across Canada.
However it is still hanging on in some cities and communities. I agree with the police. You see, in today’s world, with shrinking budgets, less volunteers and the inability to follow up and regulate the Block Parents themselves, that this program should be disbanded in all communities. Otherwise, with our attempt to give kids a safe refuge, we could be driving them straight into the hands of a monster.
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