Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Murch principal sent this out today which i thought was helpful when talking to your kids.

We are asking that you speak with your child to reinforce the following:

1. Under no circumstance should a child ever get into a car unless that child has already received previous permission by a parent--no exceptions. Even if that person is an acquaintance.
2. Stay away from any unknown person who tries to engage in conversation. Similarly, stay away from unknown vehicles. No need to be polite, or help people you don't know. Safety trumps politeness.
3. Understand that a predator is going to be friendly and outgoing.
3. No shortcuts. Stay on your route, and have safe-stops along the way in case of emergency (a store, local business, etc.).
4. There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy system whenever possible. You're less likely to be victimized when traveling with a family member or friend. And, if approached, one child may be able to remind the other of what NOT to do.
5. If you're being followed or feel unsafe in anyway, cross the street, go in the opposite direction. If grabbed: MAKE A SCENE. Don't worry about being embarrassed! Yell, kick, scream, call attention to yourself. You can scare off the perpetrator.
6. Stay alert. No walking with headphones on, no texting or talking on the phone. A distracted child is an easier target.
7. Immediately report anything that seems suspicious or unusual to a trusted adult.

Yes, Helpful, but I wish the email alerting folks to the attempted kidnapping had been sent out sooner - before kids might have already been walking to schoo this morning.

Well, if you have kids at Deal - they were awesome at providing updates yesterday afternoon/evening. I have kids at both and thought it was just as critical for Murch given the bus stop. Surprised Murch's email wasn't out sooner.

The Murch email went out this morning. Also there are always adults at the Murch buses.

The email didn’t go out until 830 this morning. After walkers would have been well on their way. I know several kids who walk by themselves. I am glad an email was sent and the tips are ready, but I think it should have gone out sooner before the kids started their walks to school. And just because adults are around (presumably Davenport is also busy at that time( does not mean things will always be a-okay n

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Murch principal sent this out today which i thought was helpful when talking to your kids.

We are asking that you speak with your child to reinforce the following:

1. Under no circumstance should a child ever get into a car unless that child has already received previous permission by a parent--no exceptions. Even if that person is an acquaintance.
2. Stay away from any unknown person who tries to engage in conversation. Similarly, stay away from unknown vehicles. No need to be polite, or help people you don't know. Safety trumps politeness.
3. Understand that a predator is going to be friendly and outgoing.
3. No shortcuts. Stay on your route, and have safe-stops along the way in case of emergency (a store, local business, etc.).
4. There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy system whenever possible. You're less likely to be victimized when traveling with a family member or friend. And, if approached, one child may be able to remind the other of what NOT to do.
5. If you're being followed or feel unsafe in anyway, cross the street, go in the opposite direction. If grabbed: MAKE A SCENE. Don't worry about being embarrassed! Yell, kick, scream, call attention to yourself. You can scare off the perpetrator.
6. Stay alert. No walking with headphones on, no texting or talking on the phone. A distracted child is an easier target.
7. Immediately report anything that seems suspicious or unusual to a trusted adult.

Yes, Helpful, but I wish the email alerting folks to the attempted kidnapping had been sent out sooner - before kids might have already been walking to schoo this morning.

Well, if you have kids at Deal - they were awesome at providing updates yesterday afternoon/evening. I have kids at both and thought it was just as critical for Murch given the bus stop. Surprised Murch's email wasn't out sooner.

The Murch email went out this morning. Also there are always adults at the Murch buses.

A man had been exposing himself to children walking in the neighborhood in the last 2 years or so.

From MPD:

January 22, 2018

Suspect Sought in a Kidnapping Offense:
3700 Block of Davenport Street, Northwest

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Kidnapping Squad seek the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in reference to a Kidnapping offense that occurred on Monday, January 22, 2018, in the 3700 block of Davenport Street, Northwest.

At approximately 8:05 am, a juvenile victim was walking, to school, at the listed location. The suspect approached the victim from behind. The suspect grabbed the victim and lifted her off the ground. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to escape, and fled the scene.

The suspect is described as a white male, 50 to 70 years old, approximately 5’7” in height, skinny with a muscular build. The suspect had a full gray beard. The suspect was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, black boots, and a black hat rolled up on his head. He may be operating an older black car with tinted windows.

Anyone who can identify this individual or who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Crime Solvers of Washington, DC currently offers a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for a crime committed in the District of Columbia.

Posted by:
MPD Press mpd.press@dc.gov

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Murch principal sent this out today which i thought was helpful when talking to your kids.

We are asking that you speak with your child to reinforce the following:

1. Under no circumstance should a child ever get into a car unless that child has already received previous permission by a parent--no exceptions. Even if that person is an acquaintance.
2. Stay away from any unknown person who tries to engage in conversation. Similarly, stay away from unknown vehicles. No need to be polite, or help people you don't know. Safety trumps politeness.
3. Understand that a predator is going to be friendly and outgoing.
3. No shortcuts. Stay on your route, and have safe-stops along the way in case of emergency (a store, local business, etc.).
4. There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy system whenever possible. You're less likely to be victimized when traveling with a family member or friend. And, if approached, one child may be able to remind the other of what NOT to do.
5. If you're being followed or feel unsafe in anyway, cross the street, go in the opposite direction. If grabbed: MAKE A SCENE. Don't worry about being embarrassed! Yell, kick, scream, call attention to yourself. You can scare off the perpetrator.
6. Stay alert. No walking with headphones on, no texting or talking on the phone. A distracted child is an easier target.
7. Immediately report anything that seems suspicious or unusual to a trusted adult.

Yes, Helpful, but I wish the email alerting folks to the attempted kidnapping had been sent out sooner - before kids might have already been walking to schoo this morning.

Well, if you have kids at Deal - they were awesome at providing updates yesterday afternoon/evening. I have kids at both and thought it was just as critical for Murch given the bus stop. Surprised Murch's email wasn't out sooner.

Anonymous wrote:Murch principal sent this out today which i thought was helpful when talking to your kids.

We are asking that you speak with your child to reinforce the following:

1. Under no circumstance should a child ever get into a car unless that child has already received previous permission by a parent--no exceptions. Even if that person is an acquaintance.
2. Stay away from any unknown person who tries to engage in conversation. Similarly, stay away from unknown vehicles. No need to be polite, or help people you don't know. Safety trumps politeness.
3. Understand that a predator is going to be friendly and outgoing.
3. No shortcuts. Stay on your route, and have safe-stops along the way in case of emergency (a store, local business, etc.).
4. There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy system whenever possible. You're less likely to be victimized when traveling with a family member or friend. And, if approached, one child may be able to remind the other of what NOT to do.
5. If you're being followed or feel unsafe in anyway, cross the street, go in the opposite direction. If grabbed: MAKE A SCENE. Don't worry about being embarrassed! Yell, kick, scream, call attention to yourself. You can scare off the perpetrator.
6. Stay alert. No walking with headphones on, no texting or talking on the phone. A distracted child is an easier target.
7. Immediately report anything that seems suspicious or unusual to a trusted adult.

Yes, Helpful, but I wish the email alerting folks to the attempted kidnapping had been sent out sooner - before kids might have already been walking to schoo this morning.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Does anyone remember a story about a man in a car trying to talk to students on their way to schools in NW several months ago? I have a vague memory of such a thing.

Not sure--there was a story about something similar in Takoma Park recently but it turned out the kid made it up: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2018/01/police-attempted-takoma-park-kidnapping-did-not-happen/

I hate to say it, but I was wondering about something like this in this case?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They need some kind of safety patrol right away.
Very scary I hope the girl is okay.

There are already two at one end of that short block. That is a pretty busy street at that hour.

That is what is so freaky. Incredibly brazen act.

jsteele wrote:Does anyone remember a story about a man in a car trying to talk to students on their way to schools in NW several months ago? I have a vague memory of such a thing.

Not sure--there was a story about something similar in Takoma Park recently but it turned out the kid made it up: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2018/01/police-attempted-takoma-park-kidnapping-did-not-happen/

jsteele wrote:Does anyone remember a story about a man in a car trying to talk to students on their way to schools in NW several months ago? I have a vague memory of such a thing.

Yes this happened. I think though it was 2 years ago? Because it was before the Murch construction began?
Memory is a strange thing.

Murch principal sent this out today which i thought was helpful when talking to your kids.

We are asking that you speak with your child to reinforce the following:

1. Under no circumstance should a child ever get into a car unless that child has already received previous permission by a parent--no exceptions. Even if that person is an acquaintance.
2. Stay away from any unknown person who tries to engage in conversation. Similarly, stay away from unknown vehicles. No need to be polite, or help people you don't know. Safety trumps politeness.
3. Understand that a predator is going to be friendly and outgoing.
3. No shortcuts. Stay on your route, and have safe-stops along the way in case of emergency (a store, local business, etc.).
4. There is safety in numbers. Use the buddy system whenever possible. You're less likely to be victimized when traveling with a family member or friend. And, if approached, one child may be able to remind the other of what NOT to do.
5. If you're being followed or feel unsafe in anyway, cross the street, go in the opposite direction. If grabbed: MAKE A SCENE. Don't worry about being embarrassed! Yell, kick, scream, call attention to yourself. You can scare off the perpetrator.
6. Stay alert. No walking with headphones on, no texting or talking on the phone. A distracted child is an easier target.
7. Immediately report anything that seems suspicious or unusual to a trusted adult.

Every time I left the house alone in childhood my mother would say "sweetie, always remember to kick them in the nuts!".

Does anyone remember a story about a man in a car trying to talk to students on their way to schools in NW several months ago? I have a vague memory of such a thing.

Anonymous wrote:does anyone know a good self-defense course for tweens/ teens in Tenleytown area?

Defend Yourself does good classes for kids and adults. Check their website for already scheduled classes. They will also create one for your child and a group of friends at a time/place TBD. http://defendyourself.org/

Is there a loud alarm on phones kids can press in emergency. Or any other type of gadget with alarm.