Within a span of two months, two children in Rotterdam have reported being harassed by strangers on the same street after getting off of their school buses on their way home after school. In both incidents, the children made it home safely.
In the most recent incident, Rotterdam police Lt. Michael Brown said an 11-year-old boy told officers he was heading home Thursday, Jan. 24, on Rocco Drive after getting off the bus at his regular stop when he said he noticed something was not right.
He was walking home and observed two vehicles [that] he thought looked suspicious, said Brown. `As he passed the vehicle, he began to run home.`
The boy told police that he turned around while he was running and noticed one of the passengers in the vehicle running toward him. When he reached the front door of his home, the suspect reportedly turned around and got back in his vehicle, which was described as a gray four-door vehicle ` perhaps a Subaru. The vehicle was occupied by another man, also described to be in his 20s.
`They never said anything to him, but we would like to talk to them to find out what the story was,` said Brown
In December, an 11-year-old girl reported being approached by a stranger on the same street.
`It took place on Rocco Street and Alheim Drive,` said Brown. `She said that while she was walking home, a male came up to her and grabbed her arm.`
According to Brown, the girl said she escaped by kicking her attacker, who subsequently fell to the ground, allowing her to run home.
Authorities said that the two incidents cannot be connected at this time, and they are still investigating and interviewing witnesses and residents in the neighborhood.
Officers said they are taking measures to increase awareness of the situation in the area.
`In both instances, we have been in contact with the school and the transportation division,` said Brown. `The bus drivers are aware and on the lookout. We’re also stepping up patrols in the neighborhood.`
Both students attend Mohonasen Central schools, which has a comprehensive safety program in place for all grade levels, as well as a list of child safety tips on the district’s Web site.
`Everyone is working together in the building to go over these tips,` said Jeff Jackson, head of security for the district.
Jackson said that the topic of safety is one that should involve the whole family.
`We encourage parents to sit down and talk to their kids and make sure they do understand [safety],` said Jackson.
He said that the school is reminding parents that they need to have a strong involvement with teaching their children about safety.
Following the most recent incident, district officials asked the bus drivers to be even more vigilant if they notice something unusual when they’re dropping students off.
`They’re more aware than ever,` said Jackson.
Parents are also trying to organize their schedules so that there is at least one adult at every bus stop to meet the children.
`All these tips that we’ve put out are there for the parents, so if they want to sit down with their family and go over these, we highly recommend it,` said Jackson.
For information or tips on how you can keep your family safe, visit your school district’s Web site.
`I think that when this kind of stuff happens — whether it happens in our community or another community, it raises their alertness in terms of education and that kind of stuff,` said Brown.
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