Safe Escape is a nationally recognized child-abduction/prevention and evasion program designed to teach families critical abduction-prevention and survival tactics. Safe Escape was developed in 1996 by former police officer Bob Stuber as a way to combat fear of child abduction and to empower parents and children.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one child is abducted every 10 minutes in the United States. On average 2,185 children under the age of 18 are reported missing each day. The often tragic news has made personal safety education a top of mind issue for parents, educators, law enforcement and communities.

In the spring of 2006 tragedy struck the Wagoner family of Tulsa when Elizabeth was kidnapped, brutally raped and murdered just days after the abduction and rape of Jamie Bolin in Purcell, Oklahoma. The Crime Commission in partnership with KJRH 2 News Works for You responded by adding the Safe Escape program to its cadre of safety programs.

Safe Escape is a 40-minute interactive video based safety curriculum where children (ages 5-14) learn and practice easy, effective skills that could make the difference between life and death when threatened with abduction. The presenter stops the video at appropriate times to demonstrate and talk about safety techniques like the "Velcro Hold," the "Windmill," the "Bike Hold," and many more. Children learn how to assemble the skills they learn - like the links of a chain - since it sometimes takes two or three smart choices to escape from danger. Knowing how to "link" these choices is a key lesson in the program. Materials with important safety tips and information are handed out during the school-based presentation. And each school that participates receives a video to put in their library as a resource for children, teachers and parents.

To schedule a Safe Escape program in your community contact Kimbery Wiles at 918-585-5209 or kwiles@crimecomok.org

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STUDENT CRIME STOPPERS

The program began in December 2006 involving Tulsa Public High Schools and Union High School. Plans are to continue the program in all area Middle and High Schools by the end of 2007. The program functions just like the regular Crime Stoppers program with codes given to tipsters to protect their identity. The Student Crime Stoppers program is supported by Jackie Cooper Imports and ARVEST Bank.