Law Enforcement Memorial Service

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This is National Police Week throughout the United States, a time for all to remember law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and honor those who serve and protect each and every day. The Sarasota
County Sheriff's Office will host the 27th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Wednesday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road, Sarasota. The public is welcome!

Protect Children from Drowning

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Swimming lessons and vigilance are crucial for preventing drowning, injuries and death among toddlers. It is certainly pool and beach season in Florida, and water safety is increasingly important this time of year. A new study found drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages one to four. As one expert says, "Some parents do not realize how quickly and quietly drowning can occur." Please read this article from Time.com and share the helpful safety tips for children with your friends and family.

How to Sort fact From Fiction Online

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Scams of all sorts circulate on the Internet and can take the form of fake advertisements, forwarded emails with "true" stories of people desperately needing help, and urgent warnings from people who supposedly got their information from the local police department. However, as the adage goes, you can't believe everything you read. Please take a moment to read this article from Techlicious.com which provides useful information on what to look for to spot a scam as well as sites that allow readers to research some of these claims before they share them with others.

Parental Controls for Cell Phones

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The kids are out of school, so they will probably spend much more time online and on their cell phones. Cyberbullying, texting while driving, and contact with strangers can be major issues for teens and even younger children with cell phones, but service providers aren't leaving parents hanging. Read this recent article from Techlicious on new parental controls. Even if your carrier isn't on board with these important safety tools, there are also apps and other features for you to consider. Anything you do is another step in keeping your kids safe!

Protecting Newborns from Painkiller Abuse

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There are many innocent victims as more and more people choose to abuse painkillers, but newborns are being affected by this addiction in devastating ways. Syndicated columnist Anthony Paull spoke with several people on the front line of this local battle and his article posted on the web site This Week in Sarasota outlines Sarasota County's multi-pronged proactive approach. Please read it to learn more about the cooperative effort to save babies from prescription drug misuse.

Dog Days Don't Include Wednesdays at the Farmer's Market

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      Today  was the first Watertown Farmer's Market  sans dogs since last January's passage of a law limiting canines at certain public events. Organizers had wanted something done after a mauling of a child last summer.  City Council Member Roxanne Burns proposed the restriction which only affects high density events on public property.
One Merchant Sports a No Dogs Sign at the Farmers Marketin Watertown

Monday Odds and Ends

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Did you know that CMPD Officers "FAMILY" medical coverage that has become so expensive that many drop the coverage and find it "outside" the department? 

Cedar Says: If you are one of those who have discovered this fact, and have signed up for the Blue Cross Advantage or other health insurance outside of the department Cedar Posts would like to here from you.

Props to Chief Monroe on earning his CJ degree!

Excellent idea sending CMPD guys to the "Windy City" to see first hand the nutties we'll have to deal with during the DNC 2012, and it is a good time to get a first hand look at the protesters as well.

Speaking of Chicago, did you know a rookie CPD Officer is paid 61k a year? That a sergeant at the top pay level in Chicago makes more than CMPD's Captains? The department wide pay scale for both sworn and civilan employees is here.

Cedar's Take: Why don't we pay our CMPD Officers a fair wage?

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/13/3253054/police-chief-faces-biggest-test.html#storylink=cpy