A Citadel middle school student has reported to police that he was approached by a strange man in a car while walking home from school.
The 13-year-old said on March 29 at about 3:30 p.m. the man asked him to get in his car. He said "no" and walked away as the man drove off. His mother later called police to report the incident.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung says the boy and his mother took the right steps.
"He stayed calm, kept himself safe, told his mom what happened and was able to give our investigator a good description of the man and his vehicle," Chung said in a release. "We really couldn't have asked for anything more from either of them."
The man is described as Caucasian with a heavy build, clean-shaven with short brown hair and wearing a black t-shirt with a blue G-shaped logo on the chest area.
He was driving an older model white two-door car with a B.C. licence plate, possibly an Olympic plate. The last three digits of the plate are 109.
And while "stranger danger" is rare, Chung said this incident provides a reality check for parents to make sure their kids - and teens - are street safe.
"A lot of resources for 'street proofing' children are targeted at elementary school students," he said. "But this incident shows that older kids and teenagers still need good information about staying safe in their daily lives and what to do if they feel threatened."
Coquitlam RCMP are encouraging parents to talk to their children about safety using the following questions as a guide:
Are your children comfortable saying "no" to an adult?
Do your children know what to do if they are approached by a stranger, and how to find safe places if they aren't close to home?
Does your family have code words in place so younger children know which adults they can trust?
Do your children know not to wear headphones that can distract them from their surroundings?
Do your children practice the buddy system when they're out without adults?
Do your children make sure an adult knows where they are, how to get in touch with them and when they will be home?
Do your children know how and when to call 911?
