Message From The Chief

• Jonesboro, Arkansas: 3/24/98 – 4 students and one teacher (2 injured)
• Columbine:  4/20/99 – 12 Students & one teacher were murdered (27 injured)
• Virginia Tech: 4/16/07  32 students and faculty were murdered (17 injured)
• Northern Illinois University: Valentine’s Day, 2008, 5 innocent students were murdered and a score of other students were injured

What has caused this caustic cycle of violence that has poisoned some of our children (the perpetrators) and exposed the rest of our children (the victims or potential victims) to violence?  Can we break this cycle of violence that seems to permeate every facet of our society?  There are many who believe (I am one of them) that the pervasive use of violence in television, movies, music and video games is actually TEACHING our children to kill.  There seems to be merit to this belief.  In a book entitled “On Killing”, written by Lt. Col. David Grossman, he advanced the notion that these media outlets have desensitized our children to the true value of life and the true horror of killing; in a sense we are teaching that it is okay to kill.

 In this book, and others written by Lt. Col. Grossman, he makes reference to a movement afoot that is attempting to wake-up America and convince us to reject this culture of violence.  A good website on this concept of turning off the screen (regardless of its type; TV, computer or video game) is www.familyfitness.about.com and it is dedicated to reclaiming the American Family by reducing our exposure to mass media and the ideas it sells.  Here are some sobering facts:

• This year, on average, our children will spend more time in front of the TV than in school
• 40% of families watch TV while eating dinner
• Obesity rates among our children are skyrocketing, not so much because of what they eat, more because of how little they do in the form of physical activity

National TV Turn-Off Week -  April 29 – May 3, 2013

Do you see the connection?  We are focused on media rather than family.  We are focused on virtual reality rather than on the reality of everyday life.  National TV Turn-Off Week is set for April 29 – May 3, 2013.  The Wilton Manors Police Department urges you to reclaim your family by disconnecting the TV and reconnecting with your children.  Visit the website given above for more information.  Make it a family affair.  Better yet, get all your friends hooked on this concept.  In a small and positive way, maybe we can make a difference.