The Somer Thompson Project

Attending

Invited

just watched a heart wrenching episode of Dr. Phil and they interviewed Somers mother. Some sick people are sending her hate mail and making threatening phone calls. This woman has been through enough. She really doesn't need this. They also had a few good tips on there for things kids younger and older can do to help protect themselves which I am adding to the event page. If you have not yet presented this to your school or at least talked with your kids about this I urge you to do so. It only takes one person to make a difference and we can all do this. Thanks to everyone...L&R Borrowed Angels Charity Riders

My kids are grown now but 2 are in college...I have a daughter at UF..NO matter how old they get you still worry about them...We just have to ask God to put a hedge of protection around them and keep them safe. We just need to do all we can and watch out for each other because at the end of the day - that is all that really matters...family/friends! God Bless everyone involved in this.

Thank you Michael.. i personally have two girls, 14 and 10 that i walk to the bus, wait until i watch them get on the bus..they call from their cell phones when they are on school property..even then, i'm worried.. hold our children safe!

God bless you, Michael.

Thank you, Michael...for your service and your tremendous heart!

love and respect Marine!

Hello All, and since returning from Iraq, and i when right back to work and work in Florida for the DOJ, this was the first case i worked on and was part of the Search Team for Renee and a very very sad case and it is so important to contact your Local and Local Sheriff's Dept's and School Boards to make sure they have a policy in place so children can walk home safe,and all schools such have such a policy in place and please make sure your kids school does and all it takes is a visit to your Kids school or Sheriff's Dept, and my Heart goe's out to Renee and her Mother and Family and such a sad sad day it was for me and our Group from the DOJ, and she will always be in our prayer,thoughts and on our minds Michael F ,1'st Lt 02 in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment USMC and a Senior Officer of the DOJ

thanks so cal girl....everyone please join the Katelynn Stinnett National ride page also

This is awesome. I will be presenting this to the Bear Valley Unified. I see too many little ones by themselves. For some reason Parents think we are safe in the Mtns. We aren't!!

ok people if we can get at least one person to pick up the phone and call their state board of education and just get an email address of someone who is in charge of student safety and email them this we will have this bad boy everywhere in no time flat

thanks Pier guess he didnt see the first few lines there

Note - The Somer Thompson Project isn't a ride or event, but a way to help keep our children safe...if you read the page, you'll see you can easily help by printing out the info and passing it on to your local schools, PTA's, daycare centers, law enforcement, etc.

sorry to far for me to travle at this time

I think that is a great idea, I see way too many young children walk or riding bicycles to and from school alone. This makes it a candy store for sexual preditors! Something has to be done!!!

You ROCK my Sista!!! Well done!!!

Whoohoo! Sent the project to the appropiate person today I reckon...look at the response Cricket, This looks like a tremendous (common sense) strategy. I will forward this on to the state president of PTA (Sandy Rutledge), Branch Manager of Secondary Learning (Nijel Clayton---Kentucky Department of Education), the Executive Director of the Kentucky School Boards Association (Bill Scott), the Executive Director of the Kentucky Crime Prevention Coalition (Bob Douglas), and our KCSS staff who meet with the state School Resource Officers and who run our website. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Best wishes, Jon Jon R. Akers, Executive Director Kentucky Center for School Safety Eastern Kentucky University 521 Lancaster Avenue Richmond, Kentucky 40475 877-805-4277 (toll free) Office 859-314-6146 Cell Phone 859-622-8001 FAX jon.akers@eku.edu www.kysafeschools.org "School Safety is everyone's responsibility

now we need your help...everyones help...we gotta get this out there...copy and paste it send it mass email...send copies to the board of education in your county...go to the next meeting...go to the next PTA meeting and present...do anything you can to get it out there...much love and respect my friends known and unknown...it takes a village and this is one hell of a village!!!...Crickett

a big HUG for Crickett....and others....and ALL THEIR HARD WORK........(:

You all did something wonderful here by creating The Somer Thompson Project....a great gift to ensure the safety of all children....What happen to our safe America?? Bless Somer and the Thompson Family and all the little angels........

Crickett, you are truely a child's guardian angel...you are sure to go to heaven because you have star's in your crown...

Excellent! And what a perfect day to finalize...rest in peace, Somer...and all of our other Angels...*

ok y'all I think this is the final version...I just got off the phone with Jon Akers here in KY who is the exec. director of KY Center for School Safety and emailed to him...he is going to review it and pass it along to every board of education in this state!!!

The Somer Thompson Project: A safer way to walk and bus to school Every school day across the United States more than 23 million students head out and get on those big yellow school buses or walk to school. The following is a proposal that we hope will ensure the safety of those children. It is one more thing that we as parents, a community, and schools can do as well. Somer Thompson was a 7 year old little girl from Florida who was abducted as she and her sister and a friend walked home from school. It is one of a parents worst nightmares. The authorities found her in a landfill thrown away like a piece of trash. They lived in a neighborhood that has other kids that walk home from school and by all accounts is a nice neighborhood. We are telling you this because we want to make you aware that this could happen ANYWHERE. Even you neighborhood. So after much discussion with friends on Facebook and Biker Or Not.com we have come up with the following proposal in hopes that schools and parents across the country will in some way adopt some if not all of the following as another way to protect our children. Our future. We respectfully submit the following for all parents,schools and parent-teacher associations to look at and consider bringing to the attention of their individual schools. Perhaps we can stop another child from being abducted. The "Walk" Pool : We all know what a car pool is and we think it is a great way to get the kids to and from school and events. The "walk" pool works on the same basis however instead of a car parents and guardians take turns walking to and from school with the kids. Even if it is only a few blocks. Remember Somer was very close to home when she abducted. Not only is this a good and safe way for kids to get to and from school but it would also give parents the chance to get to know the other kids and parents in their schools and neighborhoods. That in itself makes for a better community. Schedule matters could be worked out between parents in the individual school The "Pass Off" : Same idea as the walk pool but if there is a longer distance then parents could walk the kids to a certain point where they meet another parent or group of parents and "pass off" the kids to them. This can be done as many times as necessary to get the kids to school and again the kids are safe!!! When making the schedules we suggest keeping in mind doctors appointments, work schedules, and so forth. All parents that can should get involved so that there are a adequate number of adults for the kids. This will also break up the schedule so that there isnt one or two parents doing it all. Sometimes though that may be the case. If it is, just remember you are the reason the kids you are walking with probably won't be abducted. Also keep in mind the individual school schedules like the holiday breaks, teacher confernece days and so on. We also suggest having cell phones to call 911 if necessary and any other emergency numbers that you may need. For parents who have kids walking with others in the pool could you please remind them to be respectful and mind their manners. We all know how kids can be. Sure they are going to goof off but some rules should be set in place. Like no running, stay with the group at all times, no pushing other kids, stay on the sidewalk or walk area. You may want to add your own rules and are encourages to do so. We also would like to recommend that parents involved in the "walk pool" exchange phone numbers with one another. This is recommended so that if the parent that is supposed to walk the kids to or from school and is for whatever reason unable to do so they can call another parent and get it covered. To make it easy on the little ones to remember where they are to be picked up at school you may want to have a meeting place that stays the same. The children should always wait for the "walk pool" parent to get to there house. Dont walk up the street to meet their friend and so forth. At the same time, t

This is just another Horrible thing in our world,, and to think he is still out there to possibly do it again,,,

Wish everybody a safe ride.

Great Idea DD,,

I saw an interview with her parents and am mortified at how this Country ISN'T reacting! Have we become so jaded and numb to this type of reality due to the media coverage of every other horrific act? IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME THIS COUNTRY OF "SHEEPLE" WAKE THE FK UP AND START DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY! I'm sick to my stomach every time I hear about ANOTHER child... and another... ONE CHILD LOST IS ONE TOO MANY!

Tator, since I got the time off from work I will probably be in the Tennessee area that time, so I think I will ride with my cousin from Chattanooga

getting the revised, revised ...lol...version out today will post it as soon as possible...thanks for everyones help

i am not a parent but i think this is a great idea , i joined it so maybe one or more of my friends could read it. thanks greg b.

Wow what a wonderful thing talkin bout Angels Cricket I know u don't want reconition but honey child my heart is rejoicing .. and if these parent love there children and don't want to take any chances. they better think twice bot letting children otta there eye site. on the nat site for child preditor anyone can type in and see just how many are close to your home . that alone tell just how safe it is not for any child to walk . there are some sick people and they don't care what they do or who they destroy in fulfilling there desires to destroy. God Bless THIS and these that take the selfless stand in doing the next right move. bridledspirit

its a crin f**kin shame someone even has to come up with this idea! it is a good idea, but....people that hurt children need not be here! do unto others as you would have others do unto you. i dont think the payment for what these people do is enough to make them think about it. at least the payment here on earth.

A bunch of us were just having a conversation about how we never sit on front porches any more and watch the kids playing; we all have privacy fences and sit in the back yard isolated, and how much safer the streets used to be when neighbors and families looked out for each other from front porches. Its such a simple concept. Thank you for organizing a good idea! I've forwarded this on to a contact at Tulsa Public Schools to see if they are interested in sending this out to the parents of their kids. Right now, if a child lives within 2 miles of their school, due to budget cuts, those kids don't always get bus service and a lot of them walk.

Big Stoney let the family know B.A.C.A. Seven Bridges chapter in Jax.is willing to help where they can. I'll look for you on Tuesday. Roaddog B.A.C.A.

Roaddog Diena says Thank You and Thanks to everyone for their outpouring of love and sympathy.

well folks the emails seem to be working I just got one from someone who sent it to a friend in Louisiana...whoohoo! great work my BON friends!

Well said, Roaddog...your comments on child abuse and abduction, as well as recognizing Trouble (Bond with a Blonde) for all she does in our community...you both are inspirational, and motivate the rest of us to do better...L&R...Pier*

THESE R SOME GOOD IDEALS 4SURE. I DON'T BELIEVE ANY CHILD SHOULD B MADE 2 WALK HOME FROM SCHOOL NO MATTER HOW CLOSE THEY LIVE 2 THE SCHOOL THEY ATTEND, SEVERAL BUSES GO RIGHT BY THEIR HOME LEAVE'N THE SCHOOL SO WHY COULDN'T THEY RIDE 2 MAKE SURE THEY GET HOME ALRIGHT.

Serene..good words and as I will be a new grandma come February...you can bet your ass I will be there for my grandson! It's so hard for parents who work..I know I was a single mom raising mine, but with the help of family and friends, we can protect our children... Bringing AWARENESS also helps our children. Good event...thanks for the invite...

Thank you so much for sharing this with me. The summer of 1976, a friend's 10 year old son Andy was abducted only a short distance from his home and has never been seen again. He was at a pool only 500 feet from his home. So it doesn't matter how close or how far a child is from home, it only takes a moment for something to happen. We should all stand together and help protect all children. Parents, grandparents and friends, please reach out and be there.

Many of you know trouble much better than I. Since first meeting her she has been of great help to B.A.C.A. understanding and supporting us in our mission to protect kids and remove the fear of abuse in their lives. She along with others have helped bringing out awareness of B.A.C.A. in Fl. She has even gotton our chapter two of our best probates, soon to be patched members, Lambchop and Gunz! I Just want to recognize Trouble as being a person of great integrity,caring of her community,sensitive to the needs of kids, an avid biker freind to all on 2 wheels and my friend and ONE TUFF Women when she needs to be! Thank you trouble for all you continue to do! LH&R Roaddog B.A.C.A.

many thanks to everyone who has joined so far and I hope all of you have copied and pasted this and sent mass emails...we gotta get it out there

There's nothing like the death of a child - I too lost my only child (17 yo) son Kristopher in an auto accident. To have some sick person to take a child and throw them out with the trash is beyond anything that I can imagine. This plan is so simple,has got to be easy to do and even if it wasn't our babies are worth whatever it takes. Your right LocoAngel, we lock up and protect with our lives our material valuables but let the children run the streets. This makes no sense at all. Wonderful program indeed.

I think I'll send a copy to our local police department too.

I'm going to copy and paste this idea and pass it along to my school principal and PTA. Even though we live in a rural area and child abductions are rare...it does happen and it can happen anywhere...including here!

It's a great idea! No child should have to walk to school without parental guidance. Everyone likes to believe that "That could never happen here...not to us!" But it happens...all the time...and why not here...why not to us? It is a shame that there are so many animals among us that want to hurt children and we certainly need to do something about it. I am sickened to keep hearing about children being abducted, abused, and thrown away like someone's garbage. It enrages me beyond words and breaks my heart. We lost our 5 year old daughter in an auto accident and the pain of losing your child is beyond belief....but...I cannot even imagine the pain and anger of losing a child in such a herendous manner as Somer and so many other innocent children. My heart just aches for her parents and for whatever those innocent children had to endure before their little lives were taken from them. How awful. Our children are precious gifts...they are the future. We wouldn't put our expensive stereo, or our jewelry and other valuable items out on the street and leave them unattended...so please...keep your children close and safe...they are more valuable than anything anyone could possible buy!

Already involved in a similar program in our neighborhood. We have to watch out for our own.

As a mother of three teenage girls I sat here and read the wonderful comments and felt relief. To know that there are good people out there that believe that children are a gift to be treasured, not abused. This gives me hope that not only my children are protected but the children around the world are too. Thank you. I also want to offer my thoughts and prayers to the Thompson Family. There are no words that I can say that would ease the pain that they are feeling right now. To lose a child is hard enough, but to lose one in the ugly way they did is just horrible. All my prayers go out to them.

Thank you Roaddog for an intelligent comment and words of wisdom....I fully support BACA and your mission

Write something roaddog wrote at 10/22/2009 11:42:09 PM (Delete) First I want to offer my sincere condolences and those of all members of B.A.C.A. in Florida and around the world to the Thompson family for the loss of your daughter, Somer. We can never experience your level of grief, but I assure you, we grieve along with you as do many others. You are not alone! Not knowing Somer, but from what I've seen and read, she appeared to be a happy, vivacious, little girl loved by her mom and dad and siblings. She was taken from us, MURDERED by an evil MFr. I am infuriated by this MURDER of an innocent, defenseless child. Law Enforcement will find this perpetrator and he/she will be brought to justice. To the biker community we need not waste our time dreaming up punishment for this perpetrator. He/she will be dealt with. We need to concentrate our thoughts and energy on the family of Somer. What it is that can be done for them to relieve their pain. Somer is now cradled in the loving hands of the Lord. She is at peace. Somer's MURDER is a reminder to us all of other kids in jeopardy of suffering the same fate as Somer. Kids who are being abused not only by strangers, but by family and people known to them. They are being neglected, physically, mentally and sexually abused. Babies who are shaken and brain dead due to someone's frustration because they were crying. Babies lowered into scalding baths because they soiled their diapers, thrown like rag dolls against the wall, burned with cigarettes for sick amusement, treated like sexual objects, raped and sodomized by pedophiles. I could go on and on! Who can remove the fear of abuse for these children? Bikers Against Child Abuse, B.A.C.A., a united organization of BIKERS who exist with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We do it through affiliation with the abused child and our physical presence in their lives. WE WILL BE AN OBSTACLE TO ANY FURTHER ABUSE. Thousands of kids around the state need your help. If you've got the guts to help make a difference in the life of an abused child, contact B.A.C.A. We are building chapters around the state to remove the fear of abuse from these kids. BIKERS are needed to do this. Only BIKERS can do it. Go to www.bacainternational.org If you want to be a part of our united organization for abused kids contact me at bacaoffltricounty@yahoo.com We want BIKERS no POSERS! Roaddog St/Tri County Ch Prez Bikers Against Child Abuse B.A.C.A. NO CHILD DESERVES TO LIVE IN FEAR

it is sad we have to do this but i will keep taking son and grandaughter to school and pick them up. this has to stop we need laws that put these creeps under the jails

AWESOME. BUT SAD IT HAS TO BE DONE.

Way to go Crick! This is a GREAT idea!

Bless all the little children. What the fk makes people do shit like that? We also need more bible teachings back as to help insure our now future generation children don't grow to be a child hurter. It's all about the love baby.

It is a GREAT idea.... whatever needs to be done to protect the children i'm for it... SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE......

They do this in my daughters neighborhood! Weather the kids are skateboarding, biking or walkin... One of the parents both mom's & dads, grandparents etc go along!! We have a great School District & many school officials participation as well... You should also always check the "Megans Law" website for what pedophiles may live on or near the children's particular route

no problem sweetie thanks for the help on getting the word out

Sorry posted on the wrong event...ty crickett for the heads up!! hugzzz

not a ride darlin...this is just a way that people can be involved in their own communities and try to make a difference and keep kids safe

This is a fabulous idea!!

When making the schedules we suggest keeping in mind doctors appointments, work schedules, and so forth. All parents that can should get involved so that there are a adequate number of adults for the kids. This will also break up the schedule so that there isnt one or two parents doing it all. Sometimes though that may be the case. If it is just remember you are the reason the kids you are walking with probably won't be abducted. Also keep in mind the individual school schedules like the holiday breaks, teacher confernece days and so on. We also suggest having cell phones to call 911 if necesary and any other emergency numbers that you may need. For parents who have kids walking with others in the pool could you please remind them to be respectful and mind of their manners. We all know how kids can be. Sure they are going to goof off but some rules should be set in place. Like no running, stay with the group at all times, no pushing other kids, stay on the sidewalk or walk area. You may want to add your own rules and are encourages to do so.

This is a great idea...this little girl had 161 registered sex offenders within 5 mile radius of her home...sex offenders are not being monitored like they should...i go online every couple of weeks and pull them up in my area and show them to my daughter to make sure she is aware of them...but sometimes no matter how hard u try they still cause a heart ache like this.

I know in elementary schools around here that the teachers are outside while the kids load up on the bus and they have to line up to do so...couldnt they do the same for the kids walking together???

I'm passing this along to all my friends, family, neighbors and clients I come in contact with....A child should never have to live in fear, and a parent should never have to bury their innocent, trusting child.

I have asked for help from a dear friend of mine who lives in the next town from me to help on this project. She has 2 young daughters and helps at their school quite often. I am also passing this along to others who might want to get involved. Stop the Pain

Thank you ladies, we do need to protect all the kids big and small

AWESOME idea!!! Way to go ladies!! Thank you for thinking of this! We all do need to help protect innocent kids from the evil people out there. I sent all of my kids through at least 1 yr of martial arts & self defense class to at least aid them in being able to know what to do in such situations. The world is just not safe for kids anymore.

WOW what a great idea. count me in. will take it to the next school board meeting. Have them help if they will. PTA also. I will also get my daughter to help in the next county over from me too.

mass emailing them and contacting schools to get their PTA meeting info this week...we appreciate everyones help...in the end though I wish we never had to do this

I used to do this when my kids were growing up in Manhattan. It really does work and as a parent you feel safe for your children.. It gets the neighborhood involved with our precious angels....

this awareness is awesome.....hugzzzzzzzz

We CAN make a difference! Well done Crickett and all...great idea! I'll be passing this info on to all of the schools and parent associations in my area...hope everyone will do the same...