WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: School alert about reported luring incident

A Fairmount Park Elementary parent forwarded a letter sent to families today by principal Julie Breidenbach. The parent noted, “Because there is a community park adjacent, this should probably (get( community-level attention.” Here’s the letter:

Dear Fairmount Park Parents,

I want to share information about an incident in our neighborhood. This morning before school, one of our students reported to her parent that an adult tried to lure her into his private vehicle. The child ran home and the parent did call the police. The parent reports that the adult male was in a silver pickup truck. Our school district security has been in that neighborhood several times today and will be watching that bus stop closely this afternoon and in upcoming days.

The safety of our students is a top priority. You can help your children stay safe by talking to them about personal safety. Having these conversations, especially with younger children, can be difficult. We encourage you to be sensitive to your child.

As a precaution, we are reminding our students this afternoon about safety tips for walking to and from school. We would appreciate your help by having a similar conversation at home. The walking safety advice includes:

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:

Pay close attention to your surroundings, avoid “automatic pilot.”

Walk with a purpose; project an assertive, business-like image.

Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages and alleyways.

Stick to well-lit areas.

Develop a plan before you see trouble. Crossing a street or entering a store may get you out of a potentially bad situation.

If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach it. Instead, turn and quickly walk the opposite direction.

Consider wearing clothing and shoes that you can move freely and quickly in, especially when walking or waiting for the bus.

Carry minimal items; overloading yourself can make you appear vulnerable.

Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid shortcuts. Walk confidently. Scan your surroundings and make eye contact with people.

We’re checking to see if police have any further information about the incident.

8 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: School alert about reported luring incident"

  • Yikes January 30, 2020 (4:59 pm)

    Very scary. OLG sent home a letter yesterday about an male instructor taking cellphone photos of a middle school child in the girl’s bathroom. The child reported it right away. These kids are doing the right thing by immediately letting a grown up know. 

    • WSB January 30, 2020 (7:36 pm)

      Someone has texted us that letter and we will be investigating, seems like a somewhat complicated situation. Apparently it happened months ago, and the suspect has long since resigned, but the archdiocese only decided to send out info now after learning the suspect would not be arrested or charged, Lots of questions raised.

    • Sam-c January 30, 2020 (8:07 pm)

      I don’t know if ‘instructor’  is the right descriptor, maybe after ‘school care employee’ ? ‘Instructor’ implies more hours and more responsibility? 

  • Seriously? January 30, 2020 (5:13 pm)

    I wonder if this silver pickup is the silver Ranger stolen a few days ago.

  • WW Resident January 30, 2020 (5:23 pm)

    Coincedentally, it looks like the car that crashed on Roxbury today with an MIA driver looked like a silver pickup

    • Alki resident January 30, 2020 (6:38 pm)

      Was coming on here to say that. Hopefully someone can match this car with the luring. 

  • Sillygoose January 31, 2020 (10:00 am)

    Silver Truck is it the Dodge Ram that crashed on Roxbury?  Hopefully the SPD was able to pull some fingerprints.

  • Wsresident January 31, 2020 (8:36 pm)

    Sex trafficking is real, and in our hood. It’s not talked about enough. I urge people to learn more about it to kid our children safe.  This is so f’in scary.

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