The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Poin 8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tues. Janvary 22, 1985 Child's murder inspires rural Block Parents Although Janet Banting mustered up a laugh for the photographer, she's dead serious about her newest endeavour, which is organizing a Block Parents program for Greenbank, Epsom, Saintfield, Utica and Seagrave. See story for details. MICHELIN XA4 205-70R14 ALL SEASON RADIAL Over 200 To Choose From Installed & Balanced 100: | $99% Got A Noisey Car? Havea FREE exhaust system check. Lifetime Muffler Guarantee Installed by Licensed Mechanics COMPLETE SERVICE AND REPAIRS TO ALL VEHICLES Licensed Mechanics - Tire Sales Specializing in Lifetime Mufflers, Brakes & Shocks TAYLOR'S _.. Automotive Service Centre ~~ Hwy. 7A - West - Port Perry 985-3655 = The horrible fate of nine year old Christine Jessop has inspired a Greenbank mother to = head up a Block Parent program in several rural hamlets of Scugog Township. .. Last November Janet Banting saw a notice in the Port Perry Star regarding a meeting in Greenbank Hall to dis- «cuss the possibility of introducing Block Parents to the area. Coincidentally, the meeting was called shortly after the dis- appearance of the young Queensville girl. "It was after the Queensville thing and that's really why I was interested," she said. She went to the meet- ing and was eventually coerced into heading up the program, basically because no one else was willing to take the responsibility. With Christmas on the hor- izon, she decided to hold her Block Parent plans off until January. But on New Year's Eve, Christine Jessop's body was found within 10 km of the Banting home. Mrs. Banting admits she's paranoid about the same thing happening to her own "I would assume that people are really con- cerned that her body was found so close. I know I am," she said. "It's my hope they arrest someone soon."' In the meantime, she's busy setting up a Block Parent program in Greenbank, Epsom, 183 Queen Street Saintfield, Utica and Seagrave, (communi- ties that have had Block Parents before) with the help of schools and the Durham Regional Police. Greenbank Public School has been putting feelers out into the community but because Mrs. Banting's children are pre-schoolers, she hadn't heard about them until she saw the notice in the paper. Last week, letters were sent home to schoolchildren in the above communities, asking interested par-- ents to contact Block Parent representatives. There's no set limit of people who can become Block Parents, but the more there are, the more effective the pro- gram can be. "Basically, the more 'the merrier," she said. 'So if somebody passing by has crazy thoughts, maybe they'll see the signs in the windows and change their minds." Block Parents have no legal status except their natural status as pri- vate citizens. They are simply volunteers who have agreed to act as sensible, - responsible adults in an emergency situation. Any responsible ' cit- | izen, aged 16 and up who cares about the well- being of everyone, especially children; who has been screened by the police depart- ment; and who is willing to provide help at any time is welcome as a Block Parent. ~The Block Parent sign is an easy to identify graphic design to be placed in a window where it is clearly visible from the street. i. 8 an indication to children and adults who pass by that they will receive help at this home for any emerg- ency. It's also an indication to criminals or troublemakers that children in the commun- ity have been taught how to deal with strang- ers and that the citizens are alert. Block Parents can provide refuge from sickness, fights, strang- ers, bullies and even vicious dogs. What they're not expected to provide is food or drinks, toilet facilities, transportation, first aid or actively engage any dangerous person. What they can do is offer help from danger- - ous or frightening sit- uations, offer assistance to persons in distress by phoning the police or the home of the child, assist the police by reporting suspicious or criminal activity in the neigh- bourhood and to remove the sign when they're not available. All new Block Parents receive instructions on proper procedures, as do the children of the community. '""What you're not supposed to do when you're talking to child- ren is overemphasize the part about offend ers," Mrs. Banting said. : UPTO 3 O: She'll be speaking at the schools in the various communities once the program gets under- way. Children should know their own address and telephone number, where to gp in an emergency if there are no Block Parent homes around, never talk to strangers, never get into a stranger's car, never -accept candy or gifts from strangers, always play in safe places, try to take the same route to and from school each day, and walk in groups, when- ever possible. And chances are, a Block Parent might never be called upon for help. "Quite likely in this town nobody will ever need a Block Parent for 10 years," Mrs. Banting said. "Even if nobody ever needs a Block Parent, it'll be worth the effort." To ensure that what- ever happened to Christine Jessop, won't happen to the children of Scugog Township. If you'd like to be a Block Parent, or would like more information about the program, call Janet Banting at 985- 3225. OFFICE FURNITURE Filing Cabinets Desks - Chairs - etc. PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street 985-7383 7 % FURNITURE AND PAINT Port Perry WALLPAPER 20 oi: 985-8234