Brewer speaks about crime prevention

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The monthly meeting of the Emanuel Retired Educators Association was held by Zoom, on February 17, 2021, at noon. President Elease Turner called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. She then introduced Swainsboro Elementary School Principal, Valorie Watkins. Ms. Watkins welcomed members and shared that while it had been a challenging year, it had also been a very good year with teachers focusing on learning goals. The school has learned to do many things differently this year because of COVID. Ms. Watkins stated that she looked forward to having EREA back at the school for an in-person meeting. President Turner provided the invocation.

President Turner then welcomed newly elected Emanuel County Sheriff Jeffrey Brewer. Sheriff Brewer shared a variety of crime prevention tips for everyone. His useful tips included the following.

Home Safety Tips
Use smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors if you use gas in your home.
Don’t wear loose clothing when cooking.
Turn pot handles inward when cooking.
Have fire extinguishers available.
Use a deadbolt on your doors.
Utilize a timer on lights and TV.
Don’t open an exterior door until you can verify who is at the door.
Never tell anyone you are alone.
Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor in the event you are locked out of your home.
Make sure your house number is placed outside and is visible.

Car Safety Tips
Never leave valuables in your car in plain view.
Never leave keys in your car.
Avoid hiding a spare car key on your vehicle. (using key magnets)
When shopping and returning to your car, always look around the area of your car, and have your key ready. Make a quick glance inside your car before entering it. Once inside, insert the key and immediately lock doors.

Phone Scams
Do not answer your cell phone unless you recognize the number.
Know that the IRS will NEVER contact you by phone.
Never give out your credit card information or your bank account information over the phone.

Following the presentation, the treasurer’s report and minutes from January’s meeting were approved as presented. Other business included committee reports.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting will be held by Zoom on April 21 at Emanuel County Institute. The guest speaker will be Jeffrey Williamson, founding partner of J.L. Williamson Law Group, LLC in Statesboro. Mr. Williamson’s presentation will focus on elder law.

EREA is one of 128 local units of the Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA). EREA and GREA are voices for the state legislature and the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.