[Southsider2k12]

http://www.wsbt.com/news/wsbt-report-man-t...,0,199279.story

Report: Man tried to lure Michigan City girl into car with candy, lost dog story

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By Jason Overholt (joverholt@wsbt.com)

3:13 p.m. EDT, April 22, 2012

Michigan City police say they got a report of a man trying to lure a 6-year-old girl into his car with candy and a plea to help him find his dog.

According to the news release issued Sunday, this happened Wednesday in the 500 block of East 10th Street.

Officers who responded were told a child there was outside her home when a young-looking black male with short hair pulled up in a dark-colored car with tinted windows. The man reportedly asked the girl if she wanted a piece of candy. When she refused and turned to head back into her home, the man said he would give her a piece of candy if she helped him look for his dog.

The girl refused again, walked back into her house and told her mother, say police.

Police searched the area for the suspect and vehicle, but did not find them.

In the release, the Michigan City Police Department gave the following tips:

1. Teach children what kind of touching is appropriate and inappropriate.

2. Show kids how to say "No!" and get away fast if someone does or says something that makes them feel uncomfortable.

3. Help kids understand who a safe grownup is. Let them know who the trusted adults in their lives are. Remember, however, that many adults in "trusted" positions hurt children.

4. People who hurt kids often scare them by saying they will hurt their parents or other loved ones if they tell. Don't believe them. Kids can and should always tell a safe grownup if someone does something that hurts them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

5. Teach children to always let a trusted grownup know where they are going.

6. Kids should play and travel in groups. Being alone makes them more susceptible to being hurt.

7. Abductors often trick children into going with them quietly. Teach your kids that adults should ask for help from adults, not children. Abductors have tricked kids into going with them by offering candy, toys, saying that their puppy is lost, or asking the child if they want to see a baby animal or if they can give them directions. If an adult is asking for help, they should say "No!" and run away to tell a safe grownup.

8. Some abusers pay extra attention to one child, or give the child gifts for no reason in order to build trust with the child before they hurt them. Teach your child to tell you right away if someone gives them a gift or extra attention.

9. If the worst should happen, and an abductor is actually grabbing a child, they should fall on the ground, kick, scream, bite, and fight as hard and make as much noise as they can.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...5d042294953.txt

After abduction attempt police offer child safety tips

By Lois Tomaszewski
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, April 21, 2012 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Police are asking parents to remind their children about safety, prompted by a report earlier this week alleging a suspect attempted to lure a child to a vehicle.

According to Lt. Cary Brinkman, about 5 p.m. Wednesday, a man in a dark colored car with tinted windows called to a 6-year-old girl playing in her yard, offering her candy. The child refused and headed to her house. Brinkman said the man offered to give her candy if she would help him find his dog. She went inside and told her mother.

The man and the car were gone by the time the mother got outside. An investigation is continuing.

As scary as the incident may sound to parents, police department officials said there is no need to panic, especially with the investigation still open. Instead, they suggest parents use this as a reminder to teach their children how to be safe.

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“It’s important to reassure them – not scare them,” Sgt. Chris Yagelski wrote in a news release issued Friday. “Encourage your children to talk openly about their questions and worries. Let them know you care about what happens to them by setting clear rules, but try not to lecture or criticize.”

The key to keeping children safe is to give them the knowledge and information to handle any situation. Learning these skills can be as simple as engaging them in fun activities and making them feel loved while delivering the information.

“An informed child who knows what to do when approached by strangers and trained in child safety is a smart child,” Yagelski said. “The worst thing you can do is do nothing at all. Please talk to your children. Remember that nothing will replace parental responsibility of knowing where your child is at all times.”

Here are some tips, courtesy of the MCPD:

• Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take.

• Remind kids to take a friend whenever they walk or bike to school. Remind them to stay with a group if they’re waiting at the bus stop.

• Caution children never to accept a ride from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to do so in each instance.

• Take your children on a walking tour of the neighborhood and tell them whose homes they may visit without you.

• 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 your children to ask permission before leaving home.

• Remind your children not to walk or play alone outside.

• 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.

• 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 your children to check in with you if there is a change of plans.

• 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 name tags.

• Help your children learn to recognize and avoid potential risks, so that they can deal with them if they happen.

• 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.