Now at Barnes and Nobles, Borders and Amazon!

Check out our NEW Babysitter's Certificate E-Learning Class! Start your own business!

Want to make money? Get ahead of the competition!

Our Class Offers

• The latest e-learning
technologies and
practices.

• Online when you are --24/7, for girls around the world. No waiting.

• Fun quizzes along the way to check your knowledge.

Click here for details

Got a question about the tuff stuff in life you'd like another girl to answer? Click here to send your question in to "Tuff Talk!" You just might get your question published in our next "Talking About Growing Up" book!

Are you the next "Dear Abby?" Are you the person everyone goes to for advice? Click here to become one of our columnists for "Tuff Talk!" You just might get your answer published in our next "Talking About Growing Up" book!

This column was posted on 12/18/2002. Check back next week to see another "Tuff Talk!" question and answer. It could be yours!

There's a Crime Spree in My Neighborhood!

There have been a lot of robberies in my neighborhood. Lately there have been these gang people who go out late at night and throw rocks at people's houses and cars. They have robbed about 17 cars and stolen about 6 cars and flipped over about 2 cars. They egg houses and a bunch of other crimes. We are supposed to have a neighborhood crime watch team but they don't do a thing! It has gotten so bad I won't go to sleep. What should I do? - Megan, 10, South Carolina

"Hey, Megan!" I I'm very sorry to hear about these events caused by gangs. I suggest that in order to make your house safe from robberies you should do the following. First of all you and your family should always make sure your windows and doors are closed and locked before you go to sleep. Second of all your family might discuss about possibly getting an alarm system. There are plenty of companies out there that will help you keep your family and house safe. If you have any valuable jewelry or large amounts of money, try to keep them hidden where only you and your family will know.

As for your car always keep the doors locked, and windows up as long as you are outside of the car. If your car has an alarm keep it on at all times. Try not to leave your keys in the car or engine running where gang members are known to be. If you have anything valuable inside, make sure to keep it out of sight as best as you can. (Editor's note: Never leave anything of value in plain sight in your car. Thieves will break in just to get your cell phone!)

Also there are these bars that can go on your car wheel that locks on, so you are unable to turn the wheel unless it is taken off first. (like "The Club"). Try not to make the car easier to flip by parking in on hill. As for the eggs there is not much you can do but to wash them off.

If you feel scared about this, make sure to tell your parents how you feel. They might know a couple ways to make you less worried. Try to get your parents to talk to the neighborhood watch. Get all the neighbors to have a conference and discuss ways to make your community a safer and happier place to live. (Editor's note: Get the police involved. They send out representatives to talk with neighborhood watch groups.) The best of luck with your safety and just remember there are thousands of girls around the world that are pulling for you!

Sarah, 13, Maryland