NEWS AND SPECIAL ALERTS
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Schools Unite Network “SUN” Alert
Issued in response to Incident Report received from a concerned parent like you
SUNnyc.org
Schools Unite Network Alert: Cell phone robbery scam on Upper East Side of Manhattan: Two 15-16 year old boys approached students of similar age stating that they’ve just been robbed and need a cell phone to call one of their mothers. The boys then took off with the phone. For specifics as to “What occurred” see below.
What you can do to help protect yourself and safeguard your property:
1. Walk in groups
2. Determine the safest routes to walk-piggyback on parent safety patrols in the area, know where the crossing guards and police patrolled safe corridors are on the Schools Unite Network Safety Maps
3. Help recover your smartphone or i-Pod, if lost/stolen- free online registration in NYPD’s recovery program through SUN.
4. Here are some of the popular lost / stolen recovery APPs for your smartphone that have been proven effective and can assist the police in recovering your device. All can be downloaded from your device APP store, as recommended by Ricardo Morales, Manager of Crime Prevention Programs at Columbia University:
· Find My iPhone & Find My iPad (Free)
· Blackberry Protect (Free)
· Where’s My Droid (Free)
· GotYa for Android Smart Phones ($1.99) GotYa! takes a silent snapshot through the front facing camera of the criminal who is attempting to use your device, emails it to you with a Google map of their location.
Important: We recommend adding a password to your device to prevent unauthorized persons from removing the above APPs.
We are asking ALL parents, students, and schools to care enough to report signs of trouble and ask if resources are needed to help a child.
Unable or unwilling to contact the police in a non-emergency, want to keep us informed, or need a resource to help a child? “Report an Incident” at SUNnyc.org or program 347.560.9110 into your phone and contact SUN by voice/text.
Parents listen to our 3 minute podcast to learn how to participate: in a digital age it takes a hi-tech network of caring parents to raise a child
What occurred: At about 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 1st, three male students, ages 15-16 were approached by 2 boys while walking on the west side of Park Avenue between 83rd and 84th Streets. The two boys walked up to the students saying they were just robbed and one of them needed a cell phone to call his mother. The request was ignored but the students were followed and harassed. One of the students finally gave one of the boys his phone. The two boys then went after another student’s property. The three students then ran into the closest residential building on Park Avenue and the two perpetrators fled the scene with the student’s cell phone.
The police from the 19th Precinct responded immediately to a 911 call and drove two of the students around the area to see if they could locate the boys who took the phone. The students were not hurt and the boys who took the cell phone are still at large.
According to detectives in the 19th precinct this appears to be an isolated incident.
Description of the boys sought for questioning: 2 male blacks, 15-16 years old, one wearing a black hoodie, approximately 5’6” to 5’7” in height. If you have any information on the above incident please contact the 19th Police Precinct at 212 452-0600 or the Schools Unite Network at 347.560.9110 by voice/text or click “Report an Incident” at SUNnyc.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Can you give us 1-2 hours per week?
We are seeking 4-6 parents of children in public and independent schools to perform a variety of tasks. Primary commitment involves annual safety conference; secondary commitment includes supporting CEO in various activities throughout the year.
Time required varies with interest and availability. Skills required vary as well, but generally include organization, editing, and basic computer skills. Most important is interest in safety of children and adolescents.
We’re also seeking volunteers to translate and circulate SUN Alerts in the Spanish and Chinese speaking communities.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact TinaConnelly@SUNnyc.org.
Please join us for the safety of our children! We can’t do it without you!
SUN is a program of the Police Liaison Group, Inc., a 501 (c )(3) nonprofit organization established in 1993 to improve the quality of life and safety of New York City by working with schools, communities, businesses, the NYPD, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and any other necessary governmental and nongovernmental agencies.
The Police Liaison Group will not be held liable for any disparities or inaccuracies in the above information. Although information relating to police or other law enforcement matters is verified by the NYPD or other appropriate agency before transmission, omissions or mistakes may occur.
Our thanks to Council Members Gale Brewer and Robert Jackson for their support.
