Keeping children safe
June 16, 2010
Lake Saint Louis, MO
News of an alleged attempted abduction of a small child from a Lake Saint Louis Park has prompted concern in the community. Lake Saint Louis Police are investigating the incident. After receiving numerous emails of concern containing information different than that provided to police, Police Chief Michael Force feels it is important to provide factual information.
“We did receive a report of suspicious circumstances about two weeks ago regarding a woman holding a 5-year old child’s hand. The mother called the child’s name and the child returned to the mother,” said Chief Michael Force. “The incident was reported to us several hours later and a check of the area failed to produce any persons of interest. There is no indication at this time that there was an attempted abduction, but we continue to investigate the incident. We have shared this information with other agencies in order to alert them, just in case.”
A detective spoke to the mother, whose concern centered on caution rather than fear, according to Chief Force. The mother indicated that the incident may have been entirely innocent but felt she should report it as a precaution.
“Child safety is a critically important issue that parents must address with their children. Ongoing open dialogue is one of the most important tools parents can use to build their children’s confidence and ability to respond appropriately to unusual situations,” according to Chief Force. “You want to equip your children with the knowledge and techniques that they need to protect themselves in dangerous situations without instilling an inordinate level of fear. You have to keep in mind your child’s age and maturity level and tailor your conversations to concepts they will understand and remember.”
“Seventy-five percent of abducted children are taken by family members or people with whom they are, so teaching them not to talk to strangers is not enough and can, in some cases, be counterproductive,” Chief Force continued. “It puts the child in a position of having to decide who is a good guy and who is a bad guy based on very little information and then, to react to that judgment in seconds. Too much emphasis on mistrusting strangers can be very detrimental, causing a child to become overly fearful. Instead, parents should teach their children to be observant, how to set boundaries and the importance of parents knowing where their children are at all times.”
Chief Force offered these tips to parents:
*When you believe a crime is in progress or a dangerous situation exists, call 9-1-1 to report it immediately.
*Call police immediately to report suspicious persons or circumstances.
*Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 and how to provide information to the dispatch center.
*Help children learn their full names, addresses and telephone numbers and teach them to only give this information to a police officer or to the person who answers the phone when they dial 9-1-1.
*If you are concerned about anyone’s behavior around your child report it to the appropriate authorities without hesitation.
*Draw attention to suspicious people by alerting others around you to the situation so others can also observe the individuals and their behavior to assist in providing descriptions, if necessary.
*Memorize or write down the license plate number of suspicious vehicles so you can provide police with that information.
*Memorize or write down a detailed description of any suspicious person or vehicle so you will be able to relay that information to police.
*Teach your children that there is safety in numbers and that they should stay with you or another adult they know and trust or with a group of well-known friends when they are in public places.
*Don’t allow your children to wear clothing or carry toys with the child’s name printed on them.
*Teach your child to yell “This is not my mommy” or “This is not my daddy” if someone tries to take them by the hand or pick them up and practice this ahead of time.
*Be involved in your children’s activities so you can observe how adult leaders interact with your child and so you will become acquainted with the parents of your children’s friends.
*Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle.
*Teach your children that they should never go anywhere with anyone without first getting your permission.
*Give each of your children a unique code word which is to be used to signal that it is safe for the child to go with another adult and provide the code word only to people you know and trust should the occasion arise that requires you to have your child picked up by a friend or family member.
*Teach your children that they are to yell for help if somebody who does not know the code word tries to get them to go someplace.
*Use role playing to help your children practice a variety of scenarios in which they might have to act quickly to protect themselves.
“We often think it is a parent’s primary responsibility to protect their children. This is only true when they are very young. In actuality, our main job is to prepare them for life. This is a long and painstaking process, requiring an ongoing open and honest two-way communication between parent and child.”
From the Lake Saint Louis Police Department
Copyright 2010 Neighbors About Town
