Editor’s note: This is the fifth part in a seven-part series.

By Ed Shannon, staff writer

It’s a different world today.

&8220;Kids have peer pressures now we didn’t have years ago,&8221; said Frank Kohl, juvenile detective with the Albert Lea Police Department. &8220;Back in the 1960s, LSD and marijuana were prevalent, plus glue sniffing. My friends and I avoided all this.&8221;

Kohl grew up in Mason City, Iowa.

&8220;Today we have problems with meth and other drugs,&8221; Kohl said.

He stressed that helping children avoid these and other problems in the present challenging environment involves helping them to acquire street smarts.

&8220;It’s a teaching event every day for parents,&8221; Kohl said. As the father of four children, he also speaks from his own experiences.

&8220;Be involved in their lives,&8221; he emphasized.

Some basic rules for kids regarding street smarts involve common sense. Also reinforcing this concept is the pamphlet, &8220;How can I protect kids from crime and violence?&8221; The publication is available at the Freeborn County Government Center. This informative pamphlet is sponsored by RadioShack and endorsed by McGruff the Crime Dog and the National Crime Prevention Council, plus the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Those rules cited by Kohl and in this pamphlet include:

– Don’t take rides with strangers for any reason.

– Don’t accept strange pills, beer or an odd beverage from an alleged friend.

– Never get involved in &8220;secret games&8221; with anyone.

– Insist that young children use the same routes when walking or riding bicycles to and from school or playground area.

This last point can be emphasized by parents to their children at a very early age. This pamphlet stresses, &8220;Make sure your children are taking the safest routes to and from school, stores, and friends’ houses. Walk the route together and point out places they could go for help. Encourage your children to walk and play with friends, not alone. Tell them to avoid places that could be dangerous: vacant buildings, alleys, playgrounds or parks with broken equipment and litter.&8221;

One prime point Kohl stresses for parents to help their children to develop street smarts is,

&8220;Don’t let them associate with kids with problems.&8221;

The pamphlet urges parents to teach children to settle arguments with words, not fists, and to walk away when others are arguing. Also, parents should remind children that taunting and teasing, or bullying, can hurt friends, make enemies, and be both cruel and unfair to those who deserve real compassion and understanding instead.

Kohl said there are problems with the guidance shown by some parents regarding their children and the right street smarts.

&8220;Today, some parents don’t spend time with their kids. They’re the ones we have problems with,&8221; he explains. &8220;A lot has to do with how kids are brought up at home. Some parents just don’t know how to parent.&8221;

Kohl was with the Northwood, Iowa, Police Department and the Worth County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office for a total of 13 years. He has been a member of the Albert Lea Police Department since 1992. Kohl started as the juvenile detective and now also deals with child protection and criminal sexual conduct investigations.

&8220;Our kids make mistakes; let’s make sure those mistakes are small ones,&8221; he concluded.

(Contact Ed Shannon at ed.shannon@albertleatribune.com or call 379-3438.)