HALDIMAND—Recently, some parents posted on a Caledonia community page on social media, alleging that strangers had approached their children in public spaces. The Press reached out to Constable Patti Cote, media relations and community safety officer with the Haldimand detachment of the OPP, for more information.
Cote confirmed that the OPP “has a couple of ongoing investigations that could be related to your inquiry,” but said she didn’t have details she could share at this time. However, Cote did offer some tips for parents and guardians to help keep kids safe:
- Always keep your children within proximity, to deter anyone from approaching them.
- Teach your children that if anyone tries to grab them, they should make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
- Remind your children it’s ok to say no to anything that makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, and teach your children to tell you if anything or anyone makes them feel this way.
- Teach children their full names and address and your full name and phone number.
- Teach children how and when to call 911.
- Take your children on a walking tour of the neighbourhood and tell them whose homes they may visit.
- Teach children landmarks and safe places to go if they feel scared or have an emergency.
- Practice “what if” situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?”
- Teach children to use the buddy system and never accept a ride from people they don’t know.
- Teach your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.
- Teach your children to never approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult.
- During family outings, establish a central, easy-to-locate spot to meet for check-ins or should you get separated.
- Teach your children how to locate help at theme parks, sports stadiums, shopping malls, and other public places. Also, identify those people who they can ask for help, such as uniformed law enforcement, security guards, and store clerks with nametags.
Some of the parents alleging that strangers have approached their children have posted pictures of the individuals and/or their vehicles on social media. Cote urged caution with doing so, as it could put parents and/or their family at risk.
“Now someone can see who you are if you post something to a public domain. I know we are in an electronic era, and many people don’t hesitate to post information, but then their name is out there,” said Cote.
Alternately, there’s the risk that the information being posted is inaccurate, or “it may cause people to overreact depending on the situation,” Cote added.
Instead, she said if a person believes another person is trying to lure a child, they should call the police right away, keep an eye on the suspect(s), and if it’s safe to do so, take photos of the person and/or their vehicles for the police to investigate.
“I would be very cautious about approaching anyone,” Cote concluded.
