In conjunction with the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, the Smyrna Police Department joins other law enforcement agencies and social organizations in participating in "19 Days of Activism for the Prevention of Abuse and Violence Against Children and Youth" from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoons through November 19th.

In 2013 there were 198 dispatched calls from dispatchers to Smyrna Police Officers involving suspected child abuse or neglect. That is an average of almost 2 a day. This year the rate of dispatched calls are similar and have the same average as last year. Therefore the Smyrna Police Department is hoping to impact that number and make more people aware of the signs of child and sexual abuse of our children.

Shirley Key, the Community Services Coordinator for the Smyrna Police Department, will be conducting Darkness To Light training in our community. The first training will be conducted on November 13th from 1:00pm until 3:00pm at Lancaster Christian Academy located at 150 Soccer Way in Smyrna.

The second training will be conducted November 25th at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center located at 460 9th Avenue here in Smyrna. Darkness to Light programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.

These programs are open to the public and those adults responsible for the care and supervision of children are encouraged to attend. If there is any organization in Smyrna that would like to receive this training, they may contact Shirley Key at 615-459-6644 and Mrs. Key will be glad to assist them in this.

The Smyrna Police Department takes their duty very seriously in being a voice for the kids of Smyrna that are victims and we hope to impact these numbers more and more. State law requires an adult to call the Department of Children's Services about any suspected child abuse. Their number is 615-217-8900.