RCMP have issued a safety alert and parents are being urged to talk to their children about strangers after incidents in Salmon Arm and Enderby.
The RCMP have received two reports of a man in a white van or truck stopping and speaking to children. Jan. 31 and Feb. 6.
In the Salmon Arm incident, students were offered free pizza by the stranger.
“Both were reported in the late afternoon to early evening,” said Gord Molendyk, police spokesperson.
“In both cases, the male driver spoke to the children and asked them to come to the vehicle.”
Instead of approaching the vehicle, the youth left the area and reported the incident to their parents, who contacted the schools and RCMP.
Police have issued a warning to local schools as well as issuing the public notice.
The man is described as a Caucasian who is about 30-years-old and is unshaven with dark hair.
The vehicle is a white mini-van type, possibly with a black strip on it.
“The RCMP are asking families to talk to their children about speaking to strangers, and never get into vehicles if asked to do so,” said Molendyk.
“We encourage children to walk in a group and not alone. The police are reminding everyone to remember these safety tips and to report any strange actions like this to the police.”
School District #83 schools like Bastion Elementary are making parents and students aware of the situation.
“At our schools, we will be reviewing what to do when approached by an unknown person with our younger students,” says Alan Harrison, Bastion principal, in a safety alert notice. “I urge all parents and guardians to review your child’s to and from school procedures and what to do in different situations to ensure their safety.”
This includes walking in groups, walking directly away from any stranger, going to a known adult’s house and reporting concerns to family and school.
Anyone with information about these incidents can call the Salmon Arm RCMP at 250-832-6044.
