NOTICE
In light of the recent threats in the region including one right here in Unicoi County, the Unicoi County Sheriffs Office is announcing the creation of a program to educate parents and guardians of our children about dangers associated with internet applications and social media. Some of these threats are specifically directed at schools and after school functions. During the criminal Investigations that we have conducted we have learned very troubling things about materials that children are exposed to and access every day. As parents and guardians, we can easily overlook the early warning signs that are associated with these exposures.
The Sheriff's office has found numerous ways that these juveniles hide materials and dangerous applications on their phone that a routine examination by a parent or guardian could be overlooked.
Every organized group which we are affiliated with participates in various training courses and conferences routinely. These conferences are vital to each of our agencies. The Sheriffs association hosts conferences where Sheriffs, Chief Deputies and Jail administrators meet regularly to discuss issues across the state, training, legislative updates and networking. The same goes for the Educators, Police Chiefs and every other organization.
I believe that it has become apparent that local law enforcement agencies, school officials and parents/guardians of children who have access to digital devices and internet also need to conference to share information and be aware of trending dangers that threaten the safety of our youth. For example, just this week the Sheriffs office discovered an app on a cell phone where children can log onto to watch horrible acts of violence. These acts have very severe emotional impacts on the young minds of children who observe them. It is our mission to inform parents of the dangers that are ever present and to teach them how to audit or find them on their children's devices, to offer access to counseling, and tech support in an effort to be informed as to what materials that their children are accessing.
We believe with respect to school violence that the intervention and preventative measures can be greatly impacted by the parents who ultimately love their children more than anything and can potentially intervene and take corrective measures before tragedy strikes.
The Sheriff's office will arrange for experts in the fields of dangers of internet crimes against children, sexual exploitation, drug abuse and violent crime to attend. They will present current trends and data and be available to answer questions in keeping with our combined efforts. This conference is intended for parents and guardians to attend together with law enforcement and educators, children are not permitted to attend.
The location for this conference will be held at the auditorium at Unicoi County High School at the dates and times specified below.
Thursday October 10th, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Saturday October 12th, from 09:00 am until 11:00 am
The Sheriffs office kindly requests that individuals who wish to attend register with the Unicoi County Sheriff's Office. call and register at 423-743-1864