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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 08131985 - X.8 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FR0M: Supervisor Nancy Fanden J, Costa DATE: August 13 , 1985 County SUBJECT: "CRIMEBUSTERS" Day Camp SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND. JUSTIFICATION Request the County Administrator to refer to the Director of Housing the possibility of developing a "CRIMEBUSTERS" DAY CAMP similar to the one financed by the Oakland Housing Authority Tenant Services budget, for the protection and education of the young people living in the Bayo Vista & E1 Pueblo Housing Projects. BACKGROUND: Talking your way out of trouble is just one of the talents that youngsters , particularly in high crime areas, need to develop to avoid becoming victims of their surroundings. "CRIMEBUSTERS" DAY CAMP teaches children ages 5 to 13 how to cope with the drug-dealing, burglaries , gun-play and other crimes that afflict the sprawling housing projects where the camps are held. How to ride the bus alertly, walk home from school, care for younger children, stay home alone, recognize and properly respond to dangerous situations and seek help from responsible adults are just a few of the drills provided to r teach children how to take charge of their own lives . As an outgrowth of "I 'm Safe and Sure, " a national Camp Fire program that teaches urban children safety awareness , this camp goes "one step further into the low-income, high-crime projects . CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON August 13 , 1985 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUS (ABSENT IV ) I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: County Administrator ATTESTED August 11 . 1985 Supervisor Fanden Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and-County 6 .71> - M392/7-e3 BY op DEPUTY An independent newspaper < # +uT1 serving the Greater Bay -Area from Oakland 'T' IRIBUNE ,since 1874 :.$:r.:i::i �ZYYY�'."�-:V.. .•:>:.f..:i.;:n. ?.`.ftu..i'r.......Y.:F' �... .:.. . }'..........r....;.+•�..t .... .:..�. ... .: .::.. ... .. ..... .. ..i.i ROBERT C. MAYNARP Edna o+xt'Prssfdant , JOSEPH J. HARABUROA PAULA,GREENBERG LFROY f. AARONS ROY GRIMM a :: JONATHAN MARSHALL WIll1A'M WONG A4009-1 Edna :i AMP f*- t , i"FRED O.WETTON' 8-6 Monday,July 29, 1985 ,, Oakland, California :A dayc� c;`tki Y One of Atlanta'Mayor Anditw ,Young's Instead of remaining innocent victims or 4 favorite stories describes how he learned to even eventually, becoming parties to neigh- ;be such a persuasive orator. borhood crime,the 122 children attending the Growing up-,in a tough .section of New day camp are urged by caring adults to take 'Orleans often meant confronting other youths charge of their.lives. less inclined than he to contemplate the con Drills'on'haw to ride the bus alertly, walk sequences of their actions:Y..... , ; bcma from..sch�l,'care for younger children, When caught In a-.sticky situation,"I conld� ;;; stay home alone,'recognize and properly re- fight,I could run or I could talk my.way out of.: ...'spond to dangerous situations and seek help it,"he recounts."I Iearned to talkL my way out;�- f from responsible-adults teach survival skills i of it, and I've been talking ever since:" ar,more i-eiffioi than watching for snakes Talking your way of.trouble is just one wilder logs or avoiding the drop-offs.in the of the talents that-youngsters, particularly in Swimming hole.. the Inner. cities,_need to: -develop to avoid y - As aq putgrowth'of"Pin Safe and Sure," a becoming vietfmi of their surroundings: national Camp Fire program that teaches So the recent decision of one unusual East urban children,:safety awareness, this camp Oakland summer day camp to include"sego goes."one i7teO furtherinto the tow-income, i batingskills" in 'its.,torrtiat was eminently -high=crime prapects- :of Oakland,::, explains j ' sensible'and,appropriate.. Barbara Miller,program director of.the Ala- The:frank pragmatism of 'Crimelidsters" meda-Contra Costa Council of Camp Fire. day camp m ly"'raiiiwa'some.eyebMWS.�Shouli3... Financed bythe Oakland Housing Authori- kids, ages 5 to 13, actually:be` atlgbt.how to, ty's Tenant` 1.15i ces 'budget, the camp has cope with the drug-dealing;burglaries;:gun- won quick endorsement from-other.agencies, play and other crimes that afflict'#be sprawl- including the gkland police and fire depart- ing housing projects where the camps are ments and 'OaIY`#hd, Parents in.Action, the held?Wouldn't they be better off in.the woods, group'that teagl..children to "Just Say No" hiking and horseback riding, cooking over an to drug& _ , open fire and sleeping under the stars? ' Sa eager ;are the kids themselves for Certainly, urban youngsters should have constitictive contact with caring.adults that those time-honored opportunities, and many many from'. East ',Oakland will .follow the do, But for,the majority who'.can't afford camp to its next session in'a West Oakland traditional camps,the free day camp meets.a - ` housing project. legitimate and very real need. . : Not. .many.. will grow up to. be United t "These kids see a lot of things,"says camp Nations ambassadors or mayors of major director Ira -Turner. "`they 'see killings and cities.But on behalf of those who learn how to shootings in these projects. It's real , real sad rise to the best that life has to offer, the day the environment around here these kids have ' camp will reap social dividends far beyond its to live in." modest investment,., .,_ . .. ;..- M 'i,v::;t;.1-� :. As.►s.J..ti.ar.;r:t..:i..,.-.:..stl t. i' ," ail.... ..:t..�. ..f;..w.l.aiwr..o+ .....,.4.. .. ........ .. ,.Grc ... i r , r "I CAN DO IT", PROGRAM SYNOPSIS CAMP nNS OURS&BOTS The "I CAN DO IT" workshops are designed for the child who is left alone ona daily basis, or on occasion"for periods.of time without adult supervision. Participants will learn living skills from eight program areas to help them safely and confidently be able to care 'for'themselves. Our program is geared toward children who are in grades three, four, and five. The program format will include talks by community experts (policeman, banker, fireman, etc.) ; small group discussions; activities; and role playing; with films, games, and crafts supporting each area. The eight areas to be covered are: 1. I_'m Hungry - What Can I Eat?: How to prepare nutritious snacks; how to safely use the stove and -kitchen appliances; the four basic food groups; nutrients in differing foods; take-home recipes. 2. I've Spent A11,My Money: Ideas for earning money; how to make a budget; establishing and keeping a savings and-checking account;. how credit cards- work. 3. I Smell Smoke: Fire hazards and how to avoid them;. who to. contact in case of- a fire and how; making a fire escape plan for the family; home safety rules; smoke alarms; artificial respiration. 4. I'm In Charge: How to care for pets; how to responsibly tend younger brothers/ sisters or baby-sit; earthquake safety; how to turn offl the gas and elect- ricity. S. I'm Proud To Be Me: Peer pressure vs own values; avoiding pressures to smoke, drink, or steal; self-concept and esteem; individual uniqueness. 6. I Have Nothing To Wear: Color coordination of clothes; simple mending and care- of clothes; personal hygiene; are ads all true. 7. I'm Not Afraid At Homer Telephone etiquette; salesmen or strangers at the door; first aid; prevention on poisoning. 8. I'm Safe Away From Home: Dealing with bullies and harassment; taking the right bus; avoiding being a victim of a street crime. CanipFuvF "( llllp Fes;,