Questionable Person Around School(s)

[undercoverbrother]

I say this in the gear grinding thread, but would suggest it needs a higher profile. This was in Mackenzie Towne

http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b396/pdfs/i...r_20121121.pdf

There was also a post that a similar thing happend at Sam Livingston, in Bonavista/Bonaventure.


Keep you kids safe.

[polak]

Link doesn't work for me here at work but I'll still comment and say this kind of stuff is creepy as hell.

A little girl on my street claimed that she saw some man in a blue van taking pictures of her a few months ago. Cops came and took a report but I haven't noticed any type of increased patrol. Probably busy with photo radar.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by polak

Link doesn't work for me here at work but I'll still comment and say this kind of stuff is creepy as hell.

A little girl on my street claimed that she saw some man in a blue van taking pictures of her a few months ago. Cops came and took a report but I haven't noticed any type of increased patrol. Probably busy with photo radar.

Here it is:

As you know, the safety and security of our students and staff is of upmost importance at the Calgary Board of Education.
Because of that, I am writing to let you know that I have been advised of an incident that occurred this morning when a grade 4 student was on his way to the bus stop on Inverness Rd. S.E. (Bus B). He passed a vehicle that was parked by the apartments next to the gazebo on the right hand side of McKenzie Towne Dr. S.E. There was a man gesturing with his hands to come to the van. The boy ran to the bus stop and reported the incident. The police have been contacted and are doing an investigation. Please contact the school if you have any further information regarding this situation.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by polak

A little girl on my street claimed that she saw some man in a blue van taking pictures of her a few months ago. Cops came and took a report but I haven't noticed any type of increased patrol. Probably busy with photo radar.

I'm with you, they should have assigned a patrol car to drive up and down your street 24x7 for the last few months. That would be excellent use of police resources.

[polak]

Originally Posted by jammies

I'm with you, they should have assigned a patrol car to drive up and down your street 24x7 for the last few months. That would be excellent use of police resources.

Better than stupid photo radar and speed traps at deserted playgrounds when it's -20 outside...

But hey.

[Northendzone]

can't say i am surprised as the neighborhood is a powder keg waiting to explode......

ugh, my kids go to st. albert (nearby catholic school), my son is 10/grade 5 and he has recently asked if he could stay at school on fridays to play floor hockey and then walk home by himself - he would be home alone until at least 5.......

[firebug]

How come creepy men only drive vans?

How do we know this was even an attempted abduction?

I think we tend to over-react to these types of situations.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by polak

Better than stupid photo radar and speed traps at deserted playgrounds when it's -20 outside...

I'm no fan of traffic enforcement aimed at making money instead of safety, but that doesn't mean that police resources put into security theatre by driving around your neighborhood isn't an even bigger waste. Further, your assumption that because *you* didn't see an increased presence, that there wasn't any reaction, is of little consequence unless you spend all your days and nights watching the streets.

Anyway, the real point of your story was that the fascists are keeping you down by writing you up for bs tickets when you're out in your sweet ride and minding your own business. Next time just say that without the obfuscation.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by firebug

I think we tend to over-react to these types of situations.

Some guy was probably hand-talking on the phone with his mom while pulled over (being a responsible citizen who doesn't use his cell phone while driving) and this kid walked by and, being a kid, completely misinterpreted the whole thing. Now he's subject of a manhunt by vigilante Polacks who will rip him limb from limb for the crime of owning a blue van.

[polak]

Originally Posted by jammies

Anyway, the real point of your story was that the fascists are keeping you down by writing you up for bs tickets when you're out in your sweet ride and minding your own business. Next time just say that without the obfuscation.

The real point was that it's creepy when it happens close to you.

But your post is also valid.
Gestapo won't stop killing my buzz.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by firebug

How come creepy men only drive vans?

How do we know this was even an attempted abduction?

I think we tend to over-react to these types of situations.

Child abuse and pedophilia is a serious problem. We definitely do not over react to these situations. Look at the show To Catch a Predator. These guys came by the dozens until they realized how likely it was to be a sting operation. So many potential abusers that would feel a lot more at ease in a world that took this less seriously.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

Child abuse and pedophilia is a serious problem. We definitely do not over react to these situations. Look at the show To Catch a Predator. These guys came by the dozens until they realized how likely it was to be a sting operation. So many potential abusers that would feel a lot more at ease in a world that took this less seriously.

Yet this is the opposite of the truth. The VAST majority of kidnappings are by relatives, often results of custody battles.

The kidnap by some predator is a very rare event, believe me if it was more common Nancy Grace would let you know.

Its just the media today is instant, and one kidnapping anywhere in the US or Canada can become instant big news.

By what we see on TV we should never leave the sides of our children, but the truth is we have never been safer, especially our children.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by Thor

Yet this is the opposite of the truth. The VAST majority of kidnappings are by relatives, often results of custody battles.

The kidnap by some predator is a very rare event, believe me if it was more common Nancy Grace would let you know.

Its just the media today is instant, and one kidnapping anywhere in the US or Canada can become instant big news.

By what we see on TV we should never leave the sides of our children, but the truth is we have never been safer, especially our children.

It's rare because the consequences are high and the vigilance is high. Pedophilia, sex predators and child abuse is not rare because its very difficult to stop adults who are in positions of trust.

[Rathji]

Sexual abuse of children is mostly from people they know, not strangers.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Sexual abuse of children is mostly from people they know, not strangers.

Yes. So when you catch someone on like to catch a predator or catch someone starring at kids in the streets, you have a good chance of removing an abuser from their children or other kids they have power over.

[Circa89]

Originally Posted by firebug

How come creepy men only drive vans?

How do we know this was even an attempted abduction?

I think we tend to over-react to these types of situations.

Agreed, however ... What could a man in van possibly require from a 9 year old kid?

Directions? Help changing a tire? A boost? I have never once in my life needed assistance from a lone 9 year old in any way shape or form. It is pitch black that time of day and that is not normal behaviour from any "Grown up".
My Daughter is on that Bus.
I hope that is an over reaction by the student and school but better safe than sorry when it comes to People in Vans offering the Free Candy.

[saskflames69]

Oddly enough, I was driving home yesterday and I saw a van with two police cars parked around it. One officer was searching the back of the van and two officers were searching the man. This was about 500 m from my school and about 800m from two elementary schools.

I don't know if it had anything to do with pedophilia, but if it did I'm glad to see the police doing something besides catching speeders and picking on stoners.

[Flamenspiel]

There is a program in the US called family watchdog that shows you a map of sex offenders in your area. National predator database is another one that is very informative, they visually identify each offender. The RCMP has locked this up in Canada and its not available to the public

[hockeycop]

Originally Posted by polak

Link doesn't work for me here at work but I'll still comment and say this kind of stuff is creepy as hell.

A little girl on my street claimed that she saw some man in a blue van taking pictures of her a few months ago. Cops came and took a report but I haven't noticed any type of increased patrol. Probably busy with photo radar.

Uniforms scare pedos away (to other schools). Perhaps there were some plain clothes officers assigned and you would have never noticed them...

PS: real police don't do photo radar.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by fotze

Is it advisable for a civilian to say that to a cop doing photo radar?

Corps of Commissionaires do it, or maybe Bylaw Officers.