Local Police Cautious Following Nearby Luring Incidents

In the wake of a dramatic increase in the number of incidents of reported child luring around Bergen County and in nearby Passaic County, town officials and local police departments have stepped efforts protect children in the FLOW-area.

Cops in each of the towns have ramped up communications with local school districts to calm nerves and protect children from the still indeterminate threat.

"The problem with what's happening around the county is that there is no specific information on much of anything," said Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox. "The suspected individuals and potential vehicles involved vary widely. As a result there is really no one person or vehicle to be aware of."

Just this past Saturday a 12-year-old girl left alone in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot in New Milford was propositioned by a stranger — the third such incident there in as many days.

Other similar scares have ocurred in Washington Township, Oradell, Maywood, Hackensack, Hawthorne and Ridgewood.

Police in Westwood and New Milford released police sketches of a balding, middle-aged man with poor complexion and a large nose. 

There have been no reported luring incidents in Wyckoff, Franklin Lakes and Oakland this year, according to police officials in all three towns. Officials stressed precaution and communication nonetheless. 

"Parents need to discuss 'stranger danger' with their children," said Wyckoff Chief Fox. "Talk to their children about some of the luring tricks that can be used: Asking for assistance, looking for a lost pet, telling a child that their parents sent them to pick them up."

He also advised that children travel in groups when possible.

"If a child feels endangered by another person, they should know to run away and yell loudly to attract attention," he said. "A child should be told to never get into a car with someone they don't know."

Patrols in the township are aware of the countywide incidents and as a result are being more attentive to any suspicious vehicles near schools in the morning and afternoon, he said.

Detective Sgt. Robert DeBoer with the Oakland Police Department said they've also stepped up patrols around all schools within the borough during both morning and afternoon hours.

DeBoer said he sent an email to the Oakland Board of Education last week regarding the dangers of speaking to strangers. The email was forwarded to parents district wide via the district's email alert system.

Beyond running away in the face of an attempted luring incident, DeBoer's message also asked that students, "if at all possible and without putting themselves in harm’s way," take note of the suspicious individual — a description of the person, his clothing, the vehicle he or she was driving, a license plate number.

Franklin Lakes Schools Superintendent Frank Romano also wrote to parents last week to alleviate concerns in the borough, as well as to disseminate tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Fortunately, we have not experienced luring incidents in Franklin Lakes this year," Romano wrote. "Nevertheless, I encourage you, once again, to take regular steps with your children and maintain lines of communication regarding basic safety tips."

Parents and other adults can help keep children safe by following these ten tips:

1. Teach your children to always TAKE A FRIEND with them when walking or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop. Make sure they know which bus to ride.
2. Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they're being followed or need help. Teach your children that they should NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS and always stay in well-lit areas.
3. It is not safe for young children to walk to and from school, even in a group. Parents should always provide supervision for young children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.
4. Teach your children that if anyone bothers them or makes them feel scared or uncomfortable to trust their feelings and immediately get away from that person. Teach them it is OK not to be polite and IT IS OK TO SAY NO.
5. Teach your children that if anyone tries to take them somewhere, they should RESIST by kicking and screaming, try to run away and DRAW ATTENTION by kicking and screaming, "This person is trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father/mother."
6. Teach your children NOT TO ACCEPT A RIDE from anyone unless you have said it is OK in that instance. If anyone follows them in a vehicle, they should turn around, go in the other direction, and run to a trusted adult who may help them.
7. Teach your children that grownups should NOT ASK CHILDREN FOR DIRECTIONS; they should ask other adults.
8. Teach your children to NEVER ACCEPT MONEY OR GIFTS from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to accept in each instance.
9. Make sure that the school has current and accurate emergency contact information on file for your children and confirm names of those authorized.Always know where your children will be.
10. Teach your children to always CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach your children to never leave school with anyone, unless they CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult, even if someone tells them that it is an emergency.

Romano again urged children to immediately call police if they "experience a questionable incident."

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.