[Reader-submitted] The public should be made aware that there was an attempted luring of a girl by a man in a car at Shenandoah park today.
The man looked frum– white shirt, dark suit, beard, payos — so the girl thought he was “safe”. After a few minutes she realized his conversing with her was inappropriate and she quickly ran to the park exit by a busy road to wait for a family member.
The man drove away in the opposite direction. B”H the girl is ok. She is older than she looks – and wise enough to know when and how to get away, but it is scary to think what could happen to a younger child or teen, ch”v. She said the man was very smooth about making conversation so he could easily influence or involve a younger, less mature individual.
The incident was reported to park security, but we don’t know where else he may hang out! It is important for parents to talk to their children (boys, too!) of all ages and warn them about STRANGER DANGER. Just because a person looks frum doesn’t mean he’s “safe”. If a child, or even teen, is approached by someone they don’t know personally–they should never ever go near a stranger’s car– and run away immediately. They must understand that le’chatchilah it is not normal for strange grown-ups to engage in conversation or ask questions of a minor
Please publicize so that we may avoid any tragedy l”a.
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After a few minutes of talking to a frum man the girl realized that talking to him was inappropriate.
FLASH: ATTEMPTED LURING!
Nature. What are you trying to say.
There are 2 books for kids on the topic of staying away from strangers.
1 entirely about the dangers of strangers, is called Yoni Ploni NEVER Talks To Strangers, by Israel Book Shop Publications.
2 is a general book about safety for kids, including a part about strangers, called Let’s Stay Safe, by Artscroll.
It’s a good idea to read these books with your kids, as a springboard for conversation with them about dealing with strangers, including who is a stranger, what to do if approached by a stranger……….
Any description of the vehicle?
Correction: it is YES normal to ask questions of minors but all with a limit. Making broad generalizations can just stoke fear or, conversely, will confuse and cause the child to disregard the entire rule. Always give context and perspective. Most important, they should know that they can say “NO!” if there is any discomfort.
I’m not minimizing this. Every child needs to know not to talk to strangers and to run away. But I don’t see an attempted luring. Luring is almost kidnapping. Inappropriate talk is very bad but its not kidnapping or luring.
What about all the kids that hitchhike and just get into a car of a frum person????
Thank you for publishing a post of inappropriate behavior involving a frum looking person. It is imperative to realize that we have to be aware of this. When the posts published involve non Jewish people, it leads to a false security of thinking this does not happen with ‘unzere’.
Thank you for helping Lakewood stay safe.
Again, way too many children hitchhiking…. this is an excepted practice in Lakewood and should be discouraged!
EVERY CHILD NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF STRANGERS OF COURSE AND ALSO PARENTS SHOULDN’T LET THEIR CHILD OR CHILDREN TO WALK ALONE IN THIS CRAZY WORLD WE LIVE IN I WOULD NEVER LET MY CHILD GO FAR OUT OF SIGHT NO MINOR SHOULD EVER BE ALONE TO BEGIN WITH
Minor = how old? There is safety and there is helicopter parenting, which can be damaging for children. Raising children with anxiety can cripple them. True it is difficult to find a healthy balance…