I generally feel very safe living in Marin County. We don’t hear a lot about violent crimes, despite living within close proximity to San Quentin. Yesterday, I was notified about two seemingly separate suspicious contacts (potential kidnappings?) with young children in Larkspur and in Corte Madera. I posted a copy of one of the notices. (click on the picture to view it larger) In Larkspur, a stranger asked an eleven year old girl to enter their vehicle. In the second instant, a seven year old girl was approached outside her home in West Corte Madera. Police are not calling them attempted kidnappings at this point.
These are very scary circumstances. It is so easy to get complacent. The area we live in feels like a small, close knit community. We try and watch out for each other. The mothers’ club online boards frequently post stories about nannies and babysitters who shouldn’t be trusted. These mothers’ clubs have eagle eyes and they spread the word. Thankfully, they spread the word about these frightening circumstances. Southern Marin Mothers Club & Ross Valley Mothers Club– it might be time to get together and do a Stranger Safety night. It is always a worthwhile topic!
How do we protect our kids without scaring them? According to kidpower, you use matter of fact language, not fear based language.
Remember the old term, “stranger danger“? Forget it! Call it stranger safety. Bad touches? NO- unwanted touches and attention.
UGGH! I don’t want to have this discussion with my kids. It is not fun. I wish I can stick my head in the sand and everything would be ok- but that is not the answer. Teaching our children to say NO when circumstances feel wrong or uncomfortable is the answer.
The National Children’s Advocacy Center has some good tips to keep your kids safe.
Educate yourself, educate your kids. Be a community watchdog and report strange behavior to police, or the school, your friends or that mothers’ club board. Find that right place to talk about it.
Thanks for looking out for my kids. I will be on the watch for yours too!