Third ‘creepy’ case concerns cops
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Updated: October 14, 2009 9:24 PM
Three recent incidents in which a man in a car approached young girls walking along the street have Saanich police concerned.
“Adults should not be stopping to talk to children that they don’t know. It’s basic common sense. Most people should know that,” said Sgt. Julie Fast. “(They are) breaking all the societal values and norms ... and it’s got to stop.”
The latest incident occurred last Friday as a seven-year-old girl was walking home from school. At 3:30 p.m., Oct. 9, the girl was walking along Doncaster Drive when she noticed a red car nearby.
Inside was a man she didn’t recognize. The driver turned his car around to follow the young girl up the street, then pulled up beside her and stopped.
The girl told police the man was holding something beside him and shaking it. The girl kept walking, but the man pulled up again and said “buff,” then drove away.
The man is described as about 40 years old, with a medium build and balding with short brown hair. He wore a white, paint-splattered shirt. This latest incident has police concerned, because the circumstances, the individual and the vehicle are very similar to those from an incident that occurred Oct. 2.
On that day, a 12-year-old girl was followed by a suspicious man in a red car near Tattersall Drive and Salsbury Way as she walked home from school alone.
In another incident, on Oct. 6, two 11-year-old girls were approached by a “creepy old man” in a black truck, who donned a Halloween mask and spoke in a Daffy Duck voice.
Sgt. Fast said parents should talk with their children about stranger awareness and how, if they’re walking without a trusted adult, to stay safe.
“Parents should discuss how they’re going home from school, they should know their routes and find a walking buddy, and know the time they’re going to leave school and the time they’re going to be arriving at the doorstep,” she said.
For children who are walking alone and do find themselves in this situation, do not speak with the stranger.
“It’s very easy for children to get distracted in their own world ... but (they should) keep their eyes and ears open for what’s around them. It’s going to help them stay safe,” said Fast.
“If somebody’s approaching you in a vehicle while you’re on foot, ignore them. Don’t engage in conversation, don’t stop to talk, and certainly don’t get into any vehicle with them. If that doesn’t work, go knock on a neighbour’s door. Seek help from wherever you can.”
Anyone with information on any of these three incidents is asked to call Saanich police at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.editor@saanichnews.com
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