WHEREAS, the vitality of our state depends on how safe we keep our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities; and

        WHEREAS, crime and fear of crime destroy our trust in others and in civic institutions, threatening the community's health, prosperity, and quality of life; and

        WHEREAS, people of all ages must be made aware of what they can do to prevent themselves and their families, neighbors, and co-workers from being harmed by crime; and

        WHEREAS, the personal injury, financial loss, and community deterioration resulting from crime are intolerable and require investment from the whole community; and

        WHEREAS, crime prevention initiatives must include self-protection and security, but they must go beyond these to promote collaborative efforts to make neighborhoods safer for all ages and to develop positive opportunities for young people; and

        WHEREAS, adults must invest time, resources, and policy support in effective prevention and intervention strategies for youth, and teens must be engaged in driving crime from their communities; and

        WHEREAS, this year marks the 25th anniversary of McGruff the Crime Dog®; and

        WHEREAS, effective crime prevention programs excel because of partnerships among law enforcement, other government agencies, civic groups, schools, faith communities, businesses, and individuals as they help to nurture communal responsibility and instill pride;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. RISCH, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim October 2006, to be

CRIME PREVENTION MONTH

in Idaho.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 25th day of September in the year of our Lord two-thousand and six and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE