Michigan State Police Community eNewsletter: October

October 2015 MSP Hosts Women's Recruiting Seminar The Michigan State Police (MSP) is hosting an informational recruiting seminar for women at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at Kalamazoo Valley Community College located at 6767 W. O Ave., Kalamazoo, Mich. The free seminar will acquaint interested candidates with the career opportunities available with the MSP. Female troopers will provide insight on recruit training, the lifestyle of a trooper and opportunities for women in law enforcement. Information on the selection and hiring process will be offered, as well as one-on-one conversations with enlisted females.  Space is limited. To attend, email Sgt. Michele Sosinski at SosinskiM1@michigan.gov.  The attire for this event is business casual. For more information about a career with the MSP, visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs.  October is Cyber Security Awareness Month The MSP plays an important role in cyber security awareness in Michigan via the Michigan Cyber Command Center (MC3). The MC3 is a knowledge and information resource for critical infrastructure partners, government agencies and private citizens when they are threatened with or are the victim of a cybercrime. The MC3 is the first of its kind in the nation and is unique to Michigan.   In recognition of October as Cyber Security Awareness Month, the MSP is encouraging Michiganders to review their cyber security practices and learn more about how to safeguard their personal information on the web. To decrease your chances of becoming a victim of a cyber attack, follow these tips: Be aware of what you put online.  Do not overshare personal information on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social media sites.  Make sure your privacy settings are set so that you only share information with those whom you trust; not the public at-large. Use a unique password for each online activity.  Do not use the same password or passphrase for your online banking that you use for your email account.  Always use strong passwords that include letters, numbers and special characters (e.g. &^%#@!*). Do not click on links or attachments in an unsolicited email. Install software updates upon release from the manufacturer.  Often, these updates contain fixes to identified security vulnerabilities. Be wary of applications that collect location data.  Most smartphones track your location and many websites and applications can access your location data. Something as simple as posting a picture taken with your smartphone can reveal your location through the metadata attached to the picture. Throughout the month, we'll be sharing more tips on our social media platforms.   You can also visit www.michigan.gov/MSPCyber or www.michigan.gov/cybersecurity for more helpful information and tips about cyber security. Trick-or-Treat Safety Ghosts, goblins and witches are all part of most Halloween celebrations, but you can avoid a frightening accident by talking to your children about trick-or-treat safety before they leave the house.  According to Safe Kids Worldwide, on average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. To help make this year's trick-or-treating a safe one, follow these safety tips: Children of any age should be accompanied by an adult. Cross the street only at corners or crosswalks.  Do not cross the street between parked cars. Carry a flashlight. Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. Accept treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house. Stay in familiar neighborhoods.  Plan your route and share it with your family. Stay in a group. Only visit homes that have the porch light on. Stay in populated and well-lit areas.  Do not cut through back alleys or fields.  Make sure all costumes are flame retardant.  Avoid walking too close to open fires, candles and jack-o-lanterns. Make sure an adult inspects all candy before eating it.  Do not eat candy that is already opened. Be sure to follow community curfew rules. 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run The 2015 Law Enforcement Torch Run kicked off on Monday, September 14, 2015, with runners beginning the 750-mile, five day journey from Copper Harbor to metro Detroit. Michigan law enforcement officers, including a team from the MSP, annually participate in the Torch Run to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan. Check out photos from their journey on our Facebook page.  MSP Members Receive Recognition for Saving Toddler On September 30, 2015, Tpr. Richard Carlson and Tpr. James Leonard of the Gaylord Post received the Valor Award from the Hundred Club of Detroit in recognition of their lifesaving actions on January 29, 2015, in which they saved a two-year-old child from a burning residence. The MSP Bravery Award and Lifesaving Award were also bestowed on Trooper Carlson and Trooper Leonard for this same incident.  Tpr. Richard Carlson and Tpr. James Leonard receive the MSP Bravery Award and MSP Lifesaving Award from MSP Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue. Troopers Receive MADD Awards Congratulations to the following troopers who were honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving at their awards banquet on September 23: Outstanding Trooper Tpr. Christopher Carns, Paw Paw Post Tpr. John Janicki, St. Ignace Post Tpr. Ryan Kirkpatrick, Metro Post Tpr. Jim Tompkins, Lakeview Post Tpr. Eric Whitcomb, Metro Post Outstanding Rookie Tpr. Casey Allison, Metro Post Tpr. David Skeans, Metro Post Recognition of Excellence Tpr. Greg Primeau, Iron Mountain Post Olivia Cleveland Gratitude Award Tpr. Matthew Unterbrink, Metro Post  A Look Back in Time This photo from 1919 shows a motorcycle squad preparing for patrol in their nondescript summer uniforms. In the Community Oct. 8:  Coffee with a Cop, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at B R guest, 677 E. Houghton Lake Dr., Prudenville Oct. 10:  Benzie Baby Pantry and Car Seat Check Event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Benzie Central High School, 9300 Homestead Rd, Benzonia Oct. 14:  Strive 2 Arrive Alive, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr. NE, Grand Rapids Oct. 17:  Women's Recruiting Seminar, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 W O Ave., Kalamazoo Oct. 17:  Burlington Coat Factory Safety Day, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Burlington Coat Factory, 3285 S. Linden Rd, Flint Oct. 17:  Peshawbestown Safety Day,10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge, 2521 NW Bayshore Drive, Peshawbestown Oct. 18:  Badges Unite, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Marshall Park, 701 Marshall St., Lansing Oct. 21:  Coffee with a Cop, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Duane's Family Restaurant, 456 E Prosper Rd., Falmouth Oct. 21:  Emergency Preparedness Presentation, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Emanuel Village, 310 Bradley St., Mt. Pleasant Oct. 21:  High in Plain Sight, 6 p.m. at Lake Superior State University Cisler Center, 650 W. Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie Oct. 22:  Substance Use Disorder Conference, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Lake Superior State University Cisler Center, 650 W. Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie Oct. 23:  Alpena Trunk-or-Treat, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Farmers Market parking lot between Water St. and Harbor Dr. in Alpena Oct. 31:  Sault Ste. Marie Post 15th Annual Halloween Drop-in and Open House, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sault Ste. Marie Post, 3900 I-75 BR, Sault Ste. Marie Keep Michigan Safe If you see something suspicious, immediately call    9-1-1 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, suspicious activity can be reported to the MSP Michigan Intelligence Operations Center by phone at 1-855-MICH-TIP (855-642-4847) or online at www.michigan.gov/michtip. Join the MSP Consider a rewarding career with the MSP; learn more at www.mi.gov/mspjobs. Contact the MSP Contact your local MSP post at www.mi.gov/mspposts or call us 24/7 at (517) 332-2521. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Your Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help | Contact Us |  www.michigan.gov/msp  This email was sent to info@michiganlegion.org using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Michigan State Police · 333 S. Grand Ave · P.O. Box 30634 · Lansing, MI 48933