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A 13-year-old girl told one of her parents that she spotted two men sitting an older-model, gold-colored car with the doors open on Everett Avenue just before 3:30 p.m., Fox said.
“She felt that they were looking at her, and because she was uncomfortable with the situation, she did the right thing and correctly walked away from the area,” the chief said. “There were no words exchanged between the men and the girl.”
The parent “spoke with someone else, and police learned of the incident secondhand,” Fox said.
Fairly quickly, a TV news site reported the incident as an attempted luring.
The chief said they jumped the gun.
Although it wasn’t as serious as first believed, he praised those involved and said it was a good “teachable moment” for parents to discuss “stranger danger” with their children.
Given the number of recently reported luring attempts in Bergen County the past week or so, Fox said, some tips should be considered:
Children should be encouraged to travel in groups when possible.
If someone offers you a ride, say no and run away.
If a car is following you turn and walk in the other direction.
Never go anywhere with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
If a stranger tells you that a parent sent them for you because someone in the family has been injured, speak with a trusted adult before you leave with anyone you don’t know.
If someone physically grabs you and tries to pull you into a car, know that it is ok to scream loudly and kick and fight back as much as possible.
“Just as this young girl and her parent did, all similar incidents should in fact be reported to police so that it can be investigated fully,” Fox said. “There is really nothing more important than the safety of our children.”
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RELATED:
YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A Hackensack boy told police a man attempted to lure him to his car on his way to middle school this morning by asking him to help search for his sister’s lost dog. READ MORE ….
Second Leonia composite
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT: Leonia police tonight released a composite sketch of a man who a 13-year-old girl said tried to lure her into his car, which she said already had an “upset” girl in the back seat. READ MORE ….
HAVE YOU SEEN HIM? Two Leonia girls today told police they were approached yesterday by the same man described by two other girls in another luring attempt, Police Chief Thomas Rowe told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. READ MORE ….
HAVE YOU SEEN HIM? It could have been reckless horseplay, but Ridgefield Park police are treating very seriously a possible luring attempt involving two men in an SUV, one of whom made an inappropriate comment to a 10-year-old boy on a bicycle. READ MORE ….
Ridgefield Park attempted luring (NJ State Police sketch)
UPDATE: Norwood police were seeking the public’s help following a luring report involving two schoolchildren outside Norwood Public School. READ MORE ….
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