Parker – Douglas County law enforcement is stepping up patrols after two attempted abductions near schools in less than a week.
The crackdown also is extending to the classroom.
“While we don’t think the two incidents are related, we’re taking the opportunity to talk to children about strangers and safety,” said Larry Borland, safety director for Doug las County schools. “We hope parents will do the same thing with their own children.”
Monday morning, a man tried to entice a 10-year-old boy into his truck in Parker, and on Nov. 22, another man pulled a 10-year-old girl into his car in Castle Rock, but she squirmed away.
“They (the children) did exactly what they should have,” said Lt. Jim Tsurapas of the Parker Police Department.
No arrests have been made.
Borland has sent a letter to Douglas County teachers offering safety advice to share with children, including:
Never give your name to a stranger.
Yell “help” if approached by a stranger.
Tell a parent or school staff member if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Walk to and from school or bus stops with a buddy or a parent.
Never get close enough to a stranger to be touched or grabbed.
Parker police are looking for a Latino in his early to mid-30s, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall with brown hair, who was wearing a black jacket. He was driving a white Dodge truck with green lettering on the side.
In Castle Rock, police are looking for a white man with shoulder- length dark-brown or black hair. He was driving a yellow four-door car with a roof whose vinyl covering had been stripped away.
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-820-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
