Terrace RCMP are asking parents to remind their children about personal safety after a man approached a 12-year-old girl and demanded that she get into his truck yesterday.
The girl has just gotten off the school bus at Williams Creek Avenue at approximately 4:10 p.m.. The girl said no and ran into the bush to hide.
The man is described as in his 50s, Caucasian, brown hair, balding in the center, and a very chubby face. The vehicle he was driving in described as an older model Chevy or Ford truck, rusty along the bottom, silver and grey with a teal stripe in the middle, and a barbecue in the box.
It is important to reinforce basic safety principles to your children in order to educate and prepare them should they be approached. Some tips to plan for, keep in mind, and discuss with your children are:
- There is safety in numbers. Whenever possible walk with a friend or relative.
- Rides should never be accepted without asking a parent first, even if the child knows the person.
- It is okay to say NO. Should someone try to grab or restrain them, teach them to scream loudly, make a loud noise, and shout,
This person is not my parent!
- Whenever possible take notes of any physical vehicle descriptors and licence plates.
- Call 911
- If you are familiar with the area, go to the home of someone you know or go into an open business
- Establish a secret word or phrase for your family. This should be used in emergencies to identify a safe person other than their parent or care giver.
Incidents of child abduction are rare, however it is important to educate our children.
If you have information about this incident contact the Terrace RCMP at (250)638-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-800-222-TIPS, online atwww.terracecrimestoppers.ca or by texting TERRACE plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). If your information leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.