Terrace RCMP are reminding people to report suspicious activity after a couple of incidents.
Mounties say a boy on his way home from school January 4th was approached by a stranger standing in the trees nearby.
The man, described as Caucasian in his 70s with a black DC ball cap and blue jeans, asked where the boy lived.
Police say a separate incident a few weeks earlier involved a man in a blue sedan approaching a following a teenage girl in the downtwon area around 2:30 in the morning. The man is described as Caucasian, 6′ 4″ tall, with brown eyes, brown hair, and wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt.
Investigators haven’t substantiated the claims, but Terrace RCMP have released a list of personal safety tips.
For children:
- Never talk, take anything, or go anywhere with a stranger.
- A stranger is: someone you don’t know, know only a little bit or have seen around, or someone your parents have told you to stay away from.
- If a stranger attempts to engage you leave the stranger right away and go to the closest safe place ie an open business.
- Tell an adult that a stranger is making you feel uncomfortable or tried to get you to go with them or give you something.
- There is safety in numbers. Whenever possible walk with a friend or relative.
- It is okay to say NO. Should someone try to grab or restrain them, teach them to scream loudly, make a loud noise, and shout,
This person is not my parent.
- Whenever possible take notes of any physical vehicle descriptors and licence plates.
- Call 911.
- Establish a secret word or phrase for your family. This should be used in emergencies to identify a safe person other than their parent or care giver.
For others:
- 1. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to where you are and who is around you. Walk with confidence with your head up, not staring down at the ground. Don’t let yourself become so consumed by your cell phone or personal electronic device that you lose touch of what is going on around you. Being aware of your surroundings is always important.
- 2. Trust your instincts. If you feel like you are being followed and feel threatened, make eye contact to show you’re suspicious and cross the street or enter a business that is close by. This shows that you won’t be taken by surprise and puts you in a more populated area that will likely deter a criminal as the chance of being detected is higher.
- 3. Walk with someone whenever possible, in well-traveled and well lit areas, avoiding short cuts through alleys, construction sites and parking lots. Don’t stop to talk to strangers and have a plan of action in mind in the event that you are confronted; where will you go and what will you do if a dangerous situation presents itself?
Anyone with information about these incidents or any others should contact Terrace RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
