HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Several recent incidents of Stranger Danger in Ottawa County has the community concerned and looking for ways to protect their children.
An incident Sunday during the daylight hours in Holland involved a 14-year old girl was approached by a suspicious man. The male asked her if she wanted to buy popcorn and come back to his van to get it. She responded no. The man then grabbed her wrist. She kicked him and pushed him away and then ran home.
WHTC’s Mary Ellen Murphy spoke with Captain Mark Bennett of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s office about Stranger Danger and how parents can better educate their children and themselves.
Bennett says Sunday’s incident is a rare circumstance, but that shouldn’t take away from the seriousness of this issue. “I don’t want people to get the feeling that we have a rash of folks just going out and trying to grab or abduct people, but we should be viligant.”
Bennett says you can talk to your children without scaring them. Some tips he offered were walking with a friend, staying out of areas you are not familiar with, stay in a well-lit area and telling them that although these things are rare you need to have a plan. Conversations should be age appropriate.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office has received several tips from Silent Observer and continues to seek more. The 14-year-old girl and her family are from out of town here on vacation.
Bennett concluded with telling your children to be cognizant of their surroundings and especially those who are 12 and older as they become more independent with age.
