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The Safe Place initiative is a law-enforcement sponsored concept that enhances public education regarding the reporting of bias incidents and bias crimes. The Safe Place program is an active collaboration between the police, businesses, social organizations, and schools, designed to assist in making communities a safer place to live. Any individual who sees the Safe Place logo will know that business, organization, or location will provide a safe space for someone to call 911 for assistance should they feel unsafe.

This program is for ALL bias crimes involving conduct targeting demographics including, but not necessarily limited to: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, mental, physical, or sensory disabilities; homelessness; marital status; political ideology; age; or parental status.

 Individuals requiring assistance will be treated with care, dignity, and respect by participating businesses, organizations, schools, and responding police departments. Safe Place is not designed for residential use.

ALL of these entities are able to participate in the Safe Place initiative, as long as they follow the two requirements listed below. Safe Place is offered at ZERO COST to the businesses, organizations, and participating schools. 

Although this is voluntary concept, there are responsibilities to become a member of Safe Place. That responsibility is simple, requiring you to train/educate your employees/staff to do two things:

1. If a victim of any crime (especially a bias crime) enters your premises, call 911 immediately.

2. Allow the victim to remain on your premises until police arrive. 

If the victim leaves prior to police arrival, call back 911 and provide a physical description of the victim and/or suspect(s), direction of travel, and any injuries you may have observed. As with any emergency situation, your staff should use due care and caution when providing the victims of a bias incident or crime safe shelter, while being mindful of the safety of your patrons and co-workers, as well as compliance with existing organizational policies.

Simply contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at SafePlace@mcponj.org or your local police department.

The 4×6-inch decal should be placed at the main public entrance, 3-5 feet off the ground, and easily visible to anyone walking past your premise.  If the location is within a school or organization, it should be placed in a location that would afford the individual needing assistance the ability to seek refuge for authorities to be called.

PRESS/MEDIA

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please go to MCPONJ.ORG or send us an inquiry at SafePlace@mcponj.org.

The Safe Place program was developed by the Seattle Police Department to assist victims of Hate Crimes and Student Bullying, and they have approved our use of this initiative in Monmouth County.