Di, how about developing and marketing programs to schools and programs that serve children/teens on topics like School Violence, Bullying/Harassment,
Internet Safety/Predators, The Consequences of Driving Too Fast/When Distracted/1/2 asleep/ On Wet Roads, etc, Drug and Alcohol Abuse?

You could design the programs, one for the students, one for the staff per topic, plus any activities or suggested classwork to go along with each topic, research the need in a particular area and present it to the school or program board for approval. Your son could do the PowerPoint or video to go along with the talk or you could bring in speakers from the people you know from your time as chief or through social services. You could also recommend a security plan for schools, personal safety for children, maybe a driving safety course, and/or simulated "impaired" driving accidents.

They have some done the simulated drunk driving and mock 10 mph crash at the local high school, had a speaker on bullying at the jr high, but could still do more on teen drivers I think, the county next to us has had 15 teens die in last 2 years from car crashes, almost all were high speed, late at night, several kids in the car, and several had alcohol and/or drugs. Bring in some teen to speak whose best friend was killed, or a family member of someone who died as a result of teens speeding. Bring it closer to home for them, stop them thinking "that won't happen to me"!

There was a talk for parents about My SPace and the risks it can offer teens at the library, but I don't think the schools here have done anything about it for the kids. And they have gotten a bit better security-wise, only one door is unlocked during school hours and it opens into the office, but I have no idea if they have a security plan for a school violence situation or what it is (they didn't 8 years ago after Columbine when I asked) - and neither do my kids. I don't want kids scared out of their wits, but I do want them to know what to do "just in case", rather than be sitting ducks, you know?

I bet a lot of other parents would be happy to see the schools and other places where kids attend offering these programs if they aren't doing so now.

My heart and prayers go out to students and faculty at Virginia Tech, the community, the friends and family of the dead and wounded, and especially to those who were present and watched their classmates and professors shot down. What a horrible, horrible, Godless act! I will NEVER understand why people commit these senseless acts.

beth