Start a Discussion with Your Child about Cyberbullying

 

 

Use these discussion starters to get an Internet safety conversation going with your children. The more often you talk to them about online safety, the easier it will get, so don’t get discouraged if they don’t respond immediately!

• Why do you think people cyberbully?
• How does your school deal with cyberbullying?
• Have you ever sent a mean message because you were upset?
• What would you do if someone created a mean, fake profile for you or one of your friends?
• How can you stop yourself from being cyberbullied?
• Who would you talk to if it happened to you?

Help Protect Children from Cyberbullying

 

 

Bullying is often seen as an unfortunate, but natural part of adolescence. However, pediatrician Dr. Sharon Cooper warns, “Cyberbullying can affect the social, emotional, and physical health of a child.” For these reasons, it is important that parents and guardians take steps to help their child deal with and respond to cyberbullying.

• Tell your child not to respond to rude e-mails, messages, and comments.
• Save the evidence, such as e-mail and text messages, and take screenshots of comments and images. Also, take note of the date and time when the harassment occurs.
• Contact your Internet service provider (ISP) or cell phone provider. Ask the website administrator or ISP to remove any Web page created to hurt your child.
• If harassment is via e-mail, social networking sites, IM, and chat rooms, instruct your child to “block” bullies or delete your child’s current account and open a new one.
• If harrassment is via text and phone messages, change the phone number and instruct your child to only share the new number with trustworthy people. Also, check out phone features that may allow the number to be blocked.
• Get your child’s school involved. Learn the school’s policy on cyberbullying and urge administrators to take a stance against all forms of bullying.
• Make a report to www.cybertipline.com, and if you feel something illegal has occurred, inform law enforcement.



 

Citizen's Police Academy Registration - Class is Now Full

 

 

 

 

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is recruiting citizens to enroll in the upcoming Mount Pleasant Citizen's Police Academy beginning September 15^th 2016.

 

“The Mount Pleasant Police Department believes its service delivery must incorporate a shared responsibility with the community and motivate the strengths of neighborhoods. Critical to the success of this shared responsibility are well informed citizens who have an awareness of the mission, resources, practices, and services of the department. To engage our residents and provide insight to their police department, the Mount Pleasant Police Department has developed a 10-week Citizen’s Police Academy for the residents of Mount Pleasant,” said Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie.

 

The Mount Pleasant Citizen’s Police Academy provides a chance for the citizens of Mount Pleasant to understand the various aspects of the police department on a more personal level and to closely interact with its members. A wide range of topics will be discussed to include, but not limited to, national accreditation, operations, uniform patrol, traffic services, and investigations.

 

“Community involvement is the most powerful, efficient, and practical force any local law enforcement agency has in the fight against crime,” said Crime Prevention Officer David Benjamin. “The department wants to encourage the citizens of the Town of Mount Pleasant to become active partners with their police department by working together to identify solutions and strategies to the problems facing Mount Pleasant. More than just an educational opportunity for citizens, the academy has proven beneficial to the police department as well. Several graduates have become volunteers for the police department, good will ambassadors for the Town of Mount Pleasant, and promoters of the academy itself.”

 

Meeting only on Thursdays, one day a week for 10 weeks, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. these classes will allow flexibility for voluntary portions of the program. Class size will be limited to 20 students of at least 18 years of age who have successfully completed the application process.

 

The classes will take place at the Mount Pleasant Police Department, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, Mount Pleasant. Anyone interested in enrolling in the Citizen Police Academy should apply online at www.tompsc.com/ApplicationCPA or contact Crime Prevention Officer David Benjamin at (843) 998-5170 or email him at dbenjamin@tompsc.com.

 



Identification Needed

 

 

 

The Mount Pleasant Police Department is requesting the public's help to identify the two suspects pictured above. They were seen at The Tides in the parking garage taking bicycles and fishing equipment on August 8, 2016. 

 



Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call Pfc. Reynolds at 843-884-4176. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.



Running Man Challenge

     

We want to sincerely thank the Tapio School of Dance for their work in helping us put this video together! We could not have do this without them!

 

The support we have received from our community has been overwhelming and we want to thank you for all of the cards, hugs, social media comments, and catered lunches! We are truly blessed and honored to serve the citizens of the Town of Mount Pleasant!

 

A big thank you to Marquel Coaxum from the Town of Mount Pleasant Communications Office for helping us film this endeavor and for giving video guidance!

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Press Release

Flickr Photo Album

Mount Pleasant, SC – The Mount Pleasant Police Department acquired a DJI Inspire unmanned aircraft system (UAS) as a tool to assist in law enforcement operations. This new tool will be available for use in missing person cases, disaster response, HAZMAT response, barricaded persons, serious traffic collisions, special events, and any other instance where there is a need for an aerial perspective.

“In the case of a missing child or person, this system will allow us to access more areas than just having officers working on the ground,” said Inspector Chip Googe. “The UAS will also allow us more security options during special events like the Bridge Run and the Children’s Day Festival.”

The Mount Pleasant Police Department received clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to begin operations and the initial training of the six officers who will operate the UAS was donated by SkyView Aerial Solutions. "Our law enforcement men and women are selfless servants and they never stop protecting our communities. They deserve the best equipment and training to help them perform this great work,” says SkyView CEO Tom Fernandez. “For over 2-years, SkyView Aerial Solutions has used drones commercially and for public safety all over South Carolina. Our experience is vast and we have learned many valuable lessons. Therefore, we donated our time to the Mount Pleasant Police Department to teach them what we know about small drones. Our donation is but a small token of appreciation for all that they do for us."

“The use of the UAS will enhance the Mount Pleasant Police Department’s ability to effectively serve our citizens and is an opportunity for us to use technology to keep the community and officers safe,” says Chief Carl Ritchie.

Wanted Wednesday

Nathaniel Johnson

2740 Kidmore Road

Mount Pleasant, SC

DOB 9/1/1968

5'11" Tall / 167lbs

 



Nathaniel Johnson is wanted for the following offenses:

• Possession of Stolen Property
• Driving Under Suspension 3rd x2
• Habitual Offender
• Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle

 

He is known to frequent the Boston Grill/Hamlin Road area of Mount Pleasant. Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call Pfc. Lynch in the Warrants Bureau at 843-884-4176. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111, submit a tip through our smartphone application, or submit a tip at http://mppdnews.blogspot.com/p/submit-tip.html. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to an arrest.