Dear residents,

Summer is here, and that means kids are outside playing. Here are a few basic safety rules to go over with your children:

• Always take a friend when playing or going somewhere.
• Always tell your parents where you are going.
• If you are home alone, have a neighbor you can call if you feel scared or need help.
• There are two types of strangers: Good Strangers and Bad Strangers. Bad Strangers ask kids for help, or ask them questions. An adult should never ask a child for help.

Please join me, June 22, for a free community safety seminar sponsored by Keep Georgia Safe and featuring Stephen M. Daley, a leading national children's safety expert. Daley is founder of radKIDS, a child safety program the JCPD offers as a community service.

The seminar is at 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Christian School, 1575 Indian Trail Road in Norcross. Topics include: how to talk to your children about staying safe; abduction prevention; community policing; and crime prevention.

P.S.  If you received this copy from someone else, sign up here to get your own copy each month.

Earlier this month, Governor Perdue signed into law three new pieces of legislation, which affect all drivers in Georgia. Violators can face a penalty of $150 and one point against their driver's license:

• Effective June 3 - Pickup truck drivers (some exemptions) must wear seatbelts.
• Effective July 1 - Drivers of all ages are prohibited from texting while driving.
• Effective July 1 - Young drivers with provisional licenses are banned from talking on cell phones, as well as texting while behind the wheel.

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety estimates that at least 100 lives annually will be saved by requiring pickup drivers to be belted. Georgia is now the 28th state to ban texting for all drivers.

This Fourth of July, Johns Creek Police will set up sobriety check points in various locations across the City, joining other law enforcement agencies in impaired driving enforcement initiatives.

The check points will be in effect throughout the holiday at undisclosed times and places. The goal of the enhanced enforcement of DUI laws is to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents in the city.

Collisions are the number one cause of teen death.* Letting teens know of the special risks they face as new drivers can help them stay safe behind the wheel.

• Establish a zero tolerance policy for alcohol and drug use while behind the wheel.
• Set a curfew. Teens driving after dark are four to five times more likely to crash than those driving during the day.
• Give your teen experience behind the wheel.
• Make sure your teen driver follows Georgia's graduated driver licensing law.

Throughout June, National Safety Month, the National Safety Council is offering a free download of its Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety.

* National Safety Council Injury Facts, 2010 Edition

Before you go boating or fishing in the Chattahoochee River call 770-945-1466 or listen to 1610 AM for announcements on Buford Dam water releases.

When water from the dam is released, the water levels of the river can surge 11 feet higher in just minutes. Many people have been caught by surprise this summer and had to be rescued. Others have died.

"A lot of people go to the river a couple of times when we're not releasing and they think it's a serene river, but when we release, it can go from serene to whitewater in a few minutes," said Park Ranger Pamela Shelton. Read more.

Most accidents last month were caused by following too closely, and occurred on Fridays at night in clear weather. Eighteen percent of the accidents reported injuries. There were no fatalities.

Burglaries (18): ): 6000 Medlock Bridge Road, 9590 Medlock Bridge Road, 9810 A Medlock Ridge Road, Avebury Court, Abbotts Bridge Apts., Addison Place, Alara Apts., Avonlea Apts., Camden on the River, Chelsea Ridge, El Azteca, Grand Estates of the South, Hillbrooke, Hunter's Close, Lake Hills, River Knoll, Wellington, and WindGate.

Car break-ins (18): 8465 Holcomb Bridge Road, Cambridge, Cameron Forest, Century At State Bridge, Chelsea Ridge, Devonhall, Haynes Landing, Huntington (2), Medlock Bridge, Mount Pisgah Church (2), Newtown Park (4), Perimeter Church, and Springfield Townhomes.