Beware

Please take a minute and remind your kids of the dangers of talking to strangers, accepting gifts etc. And be on the lookout for the following type of scenario/vehicle...

My daughter was approached today on her way home from school by a vehicle "shiny black, four doors" (perhaps with a Scion symbol on it?) with two men (both "tan with dark hair") in it. The driver (who was closest to her - had a slim mustache and a "creepy smile") asked her if she wanted a coke. She firmly stated "NO!" and moved back away from the street. The driver said "ok" and drove on. She was not able to get the license plate number and couldn't provide much more detail. It all happened very fast.

Clearly, much worse could have happened. Some might even ask what harm was done and question the need for alarm. But I don't think you can't overlook something like this. We have filed a report with the Sheriff and we will follow up with the school tomorrow.

We love this community - great neighbors - great neighborhood. I also know that other nice communities we have lived in have had their fair share of both reported and unreported incidents - many MUCH more concerning than this.

But I think it just serves as a reminder that we all need to coach our kids of how to react if they are approached no matter where, when or how.

Be safe!!

 

This is just scary, thanks for letting us know.

 

This was in SW near Ridgeway and Stone Hollow. She was a little ways ahead of some of the other kids who had gotten off the bus. Normally she's with others.

However, the guys were in a car and could have been anywhere in Ashburn/Broadlands/Stone Ridge/South Riding in a matter of minutes doing the same thing.

So the location isn't as important as the need for folks to just be cautious and talk with your kids.

We gave all the information we had (which unfortunately is a little sparse) to the Sheriff's office. I'm not sure what they do with it. But you have in my posts just about all the information we have.

 

Thanks for posting this. I think it's especially important to be more aware now that the kids are spending more time outside and school will be ending soon. I'm going to pass the info you posted on to my Mom's group to increase awareness.

Thanks again.

 

We have two little boys (3 and 1-1/2). We don't let them out of our site but this kind of things scares me. They are probably a little young to be taught what to watch for and what to do, but does anyone have info on videos or book or something that we can start to use with our two little ones?

Thanks in advance.

 

I purchased a video Stranger Safety created by Julie Clark (Baby Einstein series creator) and John Walsh. It addresses this issue without scaring children. Classifies people as a 'Kinda Know' - neighbor 'Don't Know' - stranger and it associates them with stop lights a Kinda Know is yellow use caution a Don't Know is Red and they need to stay away from them or go to an adult they know. It is done really well and I would recommend it for small children. I have 3 boys 15, 10 and almost 3 and we bought it for our 10 year old to remind him. Our little guy it caught his attention as well - did he sit there and watch the entire video no, but like anything else he probably absorbed more than we think. We will continue to show it to him and as he gets older hopefully a lot of what they teach will become second nature to him.

http://www.thesafeside.com/

 

Yellow Dyno http://yellodyno.com/html/ydvids.html makes some good ones. My kids saw them when they were preschool and young elementary school age and thought they were entertaining and liked the songs. They teach in a non-scary way about "tricky people" and offer easy to remember practical tips like take three steps back if a person they don't know approaches.

 

THANK YOU so much for sharing this information and links on where to get instructional videos for our kids. I plan on getting my hands on a video in short order!

 

Yes,

clwjl5 and Audrey, thanks for the info.

 

Ok - I have an idea here Wes, Neil, Cliff, Staci any one on the HOA Board

Since all of us have children of various ages. Would it be possible for the HOA to put together using either the community center or nature center a safety day for the kids. Maybe have the videos playing at different times, fingerprinting with photo ids of the kids done for whatever they charge to make them. Possibly have police and firemen there to talk about dangers and what to do. I know they sometimes do get this information in schools, but it may be another avenue to raise awareness.

Also, I remember growing up certain houses were 'Safe Houses' they kept a sign in their window so children would know they could go to that house and be safe. Is this something we could put together for the community. Obviously it would require background checks on those volunteering to do so, but it could make the difference for a child in trouble knowing if they run to just the next house someone is there that would take care of them. Just a few suggestions and I would be willing to put it together if it is something the community would be interested in.

 

Our Neighborhood Watch Committee does an event every year, with kid IDs at Town Hall, and all kinds of public safety personnel and equipment for discussion and touring. They couple it with an ice cream social on the green.

Loudoun also does McGruff Houses, which are the safe houses with an identifying card placed in a front window.

You all have a Neighborhood Watch now, yes? Why not contact ours via the SR website, and compare notes? Good luck with this, because it seems to work well here.

 

Well any suggestions on who I should contact to work on getting something like this started?

 

This would be an excellent type of event to work with the Neighborhood Watch group on. Scott Bayles is the chair of that committee. I would suggest contacting him with this idea.

 

Thanks Cliff - I will follow up with Scott

 

hero - just wondering how old your daughter is...

 

9

 

Hero - thank you for taking the time to let your neighbors know want's going on! I am also wondering if you contact Sgt. Kerrigan (although he may have already left the Sheriff's office, as he is the HOA liasion) or Deputy Davis (he works the the Neighborhood Watch Group)...if you need their direct emails, telephone #'s, please send me an email: ecotti@smartneighborhood.net