Dear Parents/Guardians,
We wanted to let you know that one of our senior students
was approached by a man in a white van today as she made her way to school. The man may be in his late thirties with grayish and
black hair, a front tooth missing and generally unkempt. The young lady is okay and the police will be
investigating. We have shared information with staff who will review street
proofing strategies with the students. We encourage you to have those
discussions at home too. Tips can be found on our website and the following may
be helpful. Please call the police directly if this occurs to you or your family.
The Toronto Police street proofing program encourages you to
teach your child:
1.
his/her
name, address, phone number
2.
to
Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency
3.
to
communicate with you when they feel unsafe or afraid
4.
to
keep you informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times
5.
never
to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone
6.
never
to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone
7.
never
to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike
8.
never
to travel or play alone -- always be with friends to trust their feelings
and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something
that is wrong
9.
not
to accept gifts from strangers
10.
to
tell you if someone has asked them to keep a secret from you
11.
that
no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit
would cover
12.
that
if he/she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to
the nearest public place and yell for help
13.
to
report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act
suspiciously towards him/her
14.
never
to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas
15.
never
to enter anyone's home without your permission
16.
to
avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields
17.
never
to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk
injury.
18.
that
a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/she is lost
or needs assistance.
