Attempted abduction at Smithsonian Air and Space

[Anonymous]

Wow was this chaperon a parent or a teacher? I am so glad they were there on that trip. Thank God they were there. So scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We got a message from our school today that a man fitting the description of the suspect was seen yesterday driving slowly around Eaton (our school is in the area). Our principal instructed teachers to be extra-vigilant at recess.

There was a man with brown hair, who speaks with an accent, driving slowly around Eaton?

I expect that there were many such men.

This is the Eaton letter:

Eaton Elementary School
Dear Parents,

We wanted to let you know that there has been some communication on community listservs and area schools in our vicinity about a person that could be a possible threat to your children's safety. Last week in Rock Creek Forest neighborhood, this person of interest attempted to sway some young children to ride in his car. The children ran to tell their parents who in turn called the police. Today much closer to our school, a parent that lives on Macomb Street believes that she has spotted this individual driving very slowly around our school grounds. The neighbor walked over to inform Ms Rogers and her staff to be on the look out.

We are told (description from a 7 year old) that the person of interest is an older gentleman, maybe (50-60); darkish skin, grey hair, speaks with an accent, drives a bluish-green hatchback similar to a Mazda 5.

MPD has been made aware of this potential threat. We ask that if your child walks alone to Macomb or to/from home and school that you remind your child about safety. We will remind staff to be alert and vigilant during our outdoor recess periods.

We want to inform you so that you too can be on the look out as you navigate the community as well. Let's work together to keep all children safe!

Thank you,
Administration

Hmm.. the Rock Creek Forest report was deemed not credible:
http://www.mymcpnews.com/2016/03/16/update-reported-suspicious-situation-in-chevy-chase/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I'm paranoid about summer camp with weekly field trips. Those places are so crowded and it's tough to supervise that many children. One of the summer camps I contacted told the ratio for field trips is 1 adult to 10 children. That's too many children for one adult to adequately supervise.

This is an excellent point, and concerning.

I have signed up for two summer camps with field trips, but my kids are 8 and 10. I will remind them not to go off with a stranger, but I really think they wouldn't. We watch that John Walsh video and talk through scenarios. In fact, one day, I sent my 8 year old ahead to the bus stop while me and 10 year old were a few minutes behind. She got there and was by herself for a few minutes. When a man she had never seen before started walking towards her, she came running back to the house. It looked like someone taking a walk through the neighborhood, but I have seen her react like this in other situations too. I think though this person seems to be targeting younger kids, and that is very concerning. But who is sending 3-5 year old kids to summer camp with field trips? I would never do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I'm paranoid about summer camp with weekly field trips. Those places are so crowded and it's tough to supervise that many children. One of the summer camps I contacted told the ratio for field trips is 1 adult to 10 children. That's too many children for one adult to adequately supervise.

This is an excellent point, and concerning.

I have signed up for two summer camps with field trips, but my kids are 8 and 10. I will remind them not to go off with a stranger, but I really think they wouldn't. We watch that John Walsh video and talk through scenarios. In fact, one day, I sent my 8 year old ahead to the bus stop while me and 10 year old were a few minutes behind. She got there and was by herself for a few minutes. When a man she had never seen before started walking towards her, she came running back to the house. It looked like someone taking a walk through the neighborhood, but I have seen her react like this in other situations too. I think though this person seems to be targeting younger kids, and that is very concerning. But who is sending 3-5 year old kids to summer camp with field trips? I would never do that.

Not the PP, but our ES does summer camp with field trips for all kids, including Kindergarteners. I've seen the camp kids out even at the county pool, etc, and there is NO WAY the HS kids (the counselors) are able to keep track of EVERY kid. I always worry that something like that could happen in that kind of situation.

Definitely something to consider. Once the kids are 8 and 10, I think they're more aware of this type of danger, but even if you talk about it tons, it's still tough for a kid aged 5 or 6.

[Anonymous]

Police have identified a man believed to be involved in the abduction attempt at the Smithsonian. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/police-seek-man-in-abduction-attempt-at-smithsonians-air-and-space-museum/2016/03/23/b1b9b788-f112-11e5-85a6-2132cf446d0a_story.html?hpid=hp_local-news_smithsoniansuspect-1pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory

[Anonymous]

Here's an update on this case:
Police Identify Person of Interest in Attempted Child Abduction at Air & Space Museum
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Police-Identify-Person-of-Interest-in-Attempted-Abduction-at-Smithsonians-Air--Space-Museum-373233561.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DCBrand

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's an update on this case:
Police Identify Person of Interest in Attempted Child Abduction at Air & Space Museum
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Police-Identify-Person-of-Interest-in-Attempted-Abduction-at-Smithsonians-Air--Space-Museum-373233561.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DCBrand

Holy cow- he is creepy looking.

[Anonymous]

Here he is:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I'm paranoid about summer camp with weekly field trips. Those places are so crowded and it's tough to supervise that many children. One of the summer camps I contacted told the ratio for field trips is 1 adult to 10 children. That's too many children for one adult to adequately supervise.

This is an excellent point, and concerning.

Very true. I was a teacher for 5 years before getting a different job. I taught middle school. Chaperoned many field trips, often the ratio was more like 12 students to 1 adult and, even though the students I was chaperoning were a bit older (12-14), it was HARD to keep track of them all in a crowded museum even w/ safety measures we took: everyone wore the same color shirt, every student had a 'buddy' they were to stay w/ all the time, we talked a lot before the trip about always staying with the group and kids were allowed to bring their cell phones--I got all their numbers added to my contacts before the trip and gave them my # too, we had a designated spot to meet at if anyone got lost, etc. I can't even imagine trying to chaperone younger, smaller kids who are more likely to run off or not know how to find me...

I don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable allowing my own small kids to go on field trips without me there.

[Anonymous]

I've taught kindergarten forever and my kids don't go on field trips without me or their dad. I've seen way to many chaperones misplace a kid over the years.

[Anonymous]

NP here with a kindergartener. Thanks for the thread. Honest question from someone who is new to school field trips: what do you do? Do you chaperone every trip? Do you tell your child s/he can't go on the field trip? How do you handle this?

[Anonymous]

Amazing how they were able to pull up his check-in picture at US Customs so quickly from just a description and horrible security camera footage.

I suspect they have been monitoring his movements for quite some time.

"Drai is a white male with dark hair and light blue or green eyes. He is known to frequently travel to the United States and Canada from Israel and may stay in the New York City area.

The United States Park Police, along with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), are handling the investigation."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here he is:

Fuck ME, that face is going to give me nightmares. How you gonna attempt something so brazen looking that damn distinctive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here with a kindergartener. Thanks for the thread. Honest question from someone who is new to school field trips: what do you do? Do you chaperone every trip? Do you tell your child s/he can't go on the field trip? How do you handle this?

Our K class went to the Smithsonian, and the teachers requested that all the parents attend. My dh was able to go, so he watched dd the whole time. Unfortunately for my older dd, neither one of us could go, so I didn't have dd go on that particular field trip. After dh's feedback, I'm glad that I had her stay home with dh who was a SAHD at the time. He couldn't go with older dd because you were not allowed to bring siblings, and he had to also watch younger dd. I was in the middle of busy season as a tax accountant, and they scheduled the trip on April 14, so there was no way I could go. Of course, dd remembers to this day that we didn't let her go, but oh well. I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Also, she has food allergies, ADHD and asthma, so there is that too.

[Anonymous]

The police have ID'd one of the men:

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/dc/suspect-idd-in-attempted-abduction-at-air-space-museum/98359173