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Girl Scouts learn ‘safety tips’ from Police

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) – Sergeant Peck of the New Bethlehem Police – Southern Clarion County Regional Department recently visited the Redbank Valley Girl Scouts to discuss ‘online safety’ and other safety-related topics.

Girl Scout leader Jessie Truitt (back-row, left) along with New Bethlehem Police Sergeant Nicole L. Peck (back-row, right) pictured with the Redbank Valley Girl Scouts

Each year, local Girl Scout leader, Jessie Truitt, invites the Southern Clarion County Police Department to attend a Girl Scout meeting; “The last 4 years we have been blessed enough to hear from Sergeant Peck. It’s important for me to share the police in a positive manner. When the girls were younger, some of them were scared of the police. I wanted them to realize police are our friends.

Ms. Truitt also shared that as these young ladies mature and become older, they learn to have a great respect and friendship with our police department. The Scouts were also blessed to have Sergeant Peck’s daughter join the troop this year.

Over the years, Sergeant Peck has covered topics like ‘stranger danger’ and shared what it was like to be a police officer. Now that the girls are growing and experiencing new things, she is focusing more on internet safety and personal safety. The girls are beginning to use social media, texting and using apps to communicate. Ms. Truitt explained, “Having Sergeant Peck come in and discuss these topics let the girls know which apps are safe and which have potential dangers.

Sergeant Peck shared, “We really hit the online safety hard. Especially with all the apps that young kids are using to communicate with friends. Snap-chat, Instagram and Facebook were big ones and seemed very popular.” Sergeant Peck explained to the Troop that anyone can create a fake identity to approach the young girls online, and how easy it is to upload fake pictures to create a false identity and possibly pose as a young child.

Sergeant Peck asked the girls to be careful what they’re sharing online “not to share pictures of their house or school name, or anything that can give information on the area where they live“, and privacy settings as to who can see their profile and information.

I’m very thankful to have partnered with our local police department over the years. They have always been a huge supporter of Girl Scouts and this year we are hoping to be able to give back to them.” said Ms. Truitt.

Each year the troop picks a special group to gather and donate cookies to, this year they have chosen to honor our local hero’s, including the police, fire departments and ambulance members. It’s $4 to sponsor a box of cookies and they will be distributing them to our hero’s in March.

Young ladies interested in joining the Redbank Valley Girl Scouts or parents interested in volunteering, can contact Girl Scouts leader Jessie Truitt by calling 814.229.6652 or via email: [email protected]. For more info about the Redbank Valley Girl Scouts, please visit: RedbankValley.org/pg/biz/girl-scouts-troops

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