(MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH, ON) On Wednesday April 02, 2014, around 4 p.m., Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were contacted by a parent regarding their child being spoken to by an unknown male while walking home from school.
Officers obtained further information and ascertained that two female Listowel Central Public School students, aged nine and ten, had been walking home at approximately 3:25 p.m. The girls were walking near the corner of Campbell St. West and Argyle Ave North, when a dark vehicle with the driver’s side window rolled down, came to a near stop some distance away from the girls. The lone male driver inside asked the girls if they needed a lift. The girls did not answer, and continued walking. There were other children walking in the area. The male was last seen driving east bound on Campbell St West at a normal rate of speed.
The Perth County OPP are continuing their investigation into this incident and at this point are unable to determine if this male was an acquaintance of the girls who they may not have recognized. If you are the driver or have knowledge of the individual who may have spoken to the girls, you are requested to contact the Perth County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The Perth County OPP wants to remind our communities about “Stranger Safetyâ€. It is very important to teach our children how to react if someone tries to take them or lure them into a vehicle.
Education is the key and there are several discussions parents can have with their children regarding stranger awareness. One key element is to reinforce that children should never accept rides from strangers.
One common tactic of child abductors is to lure children into a car using a fake story, such as telling kids they were sent by their parents who have been hurt in an accident. By establishing a “secret code word†system with your children, parents can better protect their loved ones.
One of the single most important factors to remember when teaching your children about stranger danger is to instil confidence, rather than fear.
Here are some tips and teaching tools for parents and children. Openly discuss this issue as a family to ensure everyone’s safety.
Teach your children:
-Their name, age, telephone number, address, city and province.
-That bad people do not always look mean or scary.
-If a stranger bothers them, advise them to run away. If they are followed or grabbed by
a stranger, shout, yell loud and fight back.
-If anyone touches them in a bad way, say “NOâ€, get away and tell an adult they trust.
-How to contact you, the police, the fire department or ambulance service in the event of an emergency.
-To keep you informed as to their whereabouts at all times.
-Never admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone. Never give out
their name or address to strangers.
-Never invite strangers into the house or answer the door when home alone.
-Never approach or enter a stranger’s car and to always keep a safe distance from a
stranger.
-Never hitchhike.
-To rely on police officers as their friends if they are lost or require help.
-Never play alone.
Tips for Parents:
-Teach your children to tell you if anything happens that makes them feel unsafe or
uncomfortable.
-Children should always carry identification including name, address, telephone number
and emergency contact information on them.
– Always keep an undated photo of your child with pertinent information, ie. height, weight, eye colour.
-Keep communication open in your relationship with your children, this will ensure that
they will share any doubts or fears they may have.
For other useful information please visit the OPP website at www.opp.ca.