December Wash-CAP update

We've been very busy at Communities Against Predators - there's a lot to read:

• We have a new safety website up at http://www.communitywatch.us/ - it's a work-in-progress, but there's some great information there, so check it out and tell your friends!


• We're building a Board of Advisors: representatives from communities and organizations will help guide our goals and decisions. If you have someone in mind for consideration, please let us know!


• Two membership levels will be available as of January 1st - Supporters and Maintainers.
  >Supporters - are showing their support of our effort. We ask for name and zip, plus school or legislative district. You can opt into our Action Alerts and/or Updates, or not. All information provided is kept entirely private.
  >Maintainers - are showing their support and helping us carry it forward with a membership cost of $10 per year. Maintainers also share a seat on our Board of Advisors, and thus get to collectively vote [simple majority] on our yearly agenda.
  **NOTE! - we don't want anyone distracted from holiday donations, so please do not send us any money now. Food banks, Giving Trees, the Salvation Army, and your local shelters are all great places help out this season.


• Maggie, from the Take 25 program at NCMEC, is visiting next week, Thursday December 11. Join us for a brain-storming session Thursday morning, with coffee, pastries, and some great company, to help plan Safe Child Week 2009! Wash-CAP had great success with Safe Child Week 2008:
  >Governor's Proclamation of Safe Child Week from May 19-25, 2008
  >TV coverage on KOMO 4 news
  >Take 25 materials in libraries across the state in May
  >Collaborative efforts with the Missing and Exploited Children's Task Force for WA
  >Public Service Announcements from the Attorney General's office
  >and more...
  *If you'd like to come to the planning meeting, reply back and I'll let you know exactly when and where! Bring a friend!
  **Also, NCMEC doesn't have an office up here in the North West - let's show them some dedicated citizenry!



• We're working on a few bills for this coming session, please let your legislators know what you think about them:
  >Statute of Limitations on Felony Sex Crimes against Children - we think it should be lengthened.
  >Indecent Exposure with Sexual Intent - we think it should be more than a misdemeanor [jay walking is a misdemeanor...].
  >Increased Penalty Zones around schools and bus stops - we think there should be IPZs around them, and the PTA agrees!
  >Safe Child Legislation - do children in Washington have rights? What are they, exactly? We think it should be articulated.

OK! That's all I've got for now. We really hope to see many of you next Thursday morning [December 11], to give Maggie a big welcome and let her know how important her organization, and our effort, is to our community.

Thank you for your support. We've heard from dozens of you in the last few months, and it's very encouraging to know that you all care and support our efforts.