Stranger Danger near Edison Elementary

Attempted Abduction Incident Reported near Edison Elementary School

On Friday, March 24, the district was informed that an Edison Elementary student reported a man tried to abduct her as she walked home from her bus stop. He told her he was a friend of her mother and attempted to lure her to his car. According to the student, he attempted to grab her. She pushed away and ran to her home. The student reported he was wearing all black, spoke English, and drove off in a black van. A police report has been filed and law enforcement will increase patrols in the area. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the City of Walla Walla Police Department at (509) 527-1960.

Please review Stranger Danger tips with students and remind them of the importance of telling their parents, school officials and police if an incident like this occurs.

Any information or leads should be reported to the Walla Walla Police Department.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN REGARDING STRANGERS:
• Always tell your parents where you are going.
• Try not to walk anywhere alone. Walk with a friend.
• Don’t take shortcuts through the woods, a back street or empty lot.
• Bad people do not always look mean or scary.
• Do not get close to strangers. Make sure you have room to run.
• Don’t tell your name or address to a stranger.
• Never go with a stranger to help look for a lost pet or play a game.
• Never get into a car with anyone you don’t know.
• If a stranger bothers you, run away and ask an adult for help.
• Know safe places you can go – a police or fire station, the library, a store or a friend’s house.
• If a stranger follows you or grabs for you, yell loud! Shout, “I don’t know you!” Fight back and make as much noise as you can.
• If anyone touches you in a bad way, say, “NO!” Get away and tell an adult you trust. Keep telling until someone listens.
• Tell your parents about places you don’t feel safe.
• Talk to your parents and come up with a secret code word. Never go with anyone unless they know the secret code word.

IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE OLD ENOUGH TO STAY ALONE, BE SURE TO TELL THEM TO:
• Know how and when to call 911.
• Never open the door to a stranger.
• Never tell anyone on the phone you are home alone.
• Never tell any callers your name, number or address.
• Hang up right away if you do not like what someone is saying on the phone.

PARENT TIP
• Always have an updated photo of your child. On the back put important information such as, name, date of birth, height, weight, and hair and eye color