Police are crediting three young girls for their vigilance after they wisely avoided a suspected predator who tried to lure them into his car with fast food coupons.  

The man reportedly approached the three 11-year-olds near their school at Lumsden and Gledhill Aves. in the city's east end on Thursday afternoon.

The street-smart trio immediately ran away, reporting the incident to their school.

Neighbourhood residents were disturbed to hear about the attempted abduction.

"I think it's pretty pathetic that you have these guys walking around, and it's unfortunate," one woman said. "The girls ran away, which is a good thing."

Another woman, soon to be a parent, was also alarmed, saying, "It's pretty shocking because I'm an expecting mother and to think that the neighbourhood has gone downhill. I just recently came back from Greece and I thought the area was getting better than it used to be."

Police are using the girls as a prime example of how to deal with strangers.

"They did not approach this individual and they did not get into the vehicle and they stayed away from him, which was the right thing to do," said Det. Cst. Esmail Dhukai

Police describe the suspect as:

• White
• Thin
• Clean-shaven
• 50-60 years old
• Grey hair with a bald spot on top

He was reportedly driving a white, dirty car with black handles. Anyone with information in the case can call 54 Division at 416-808-5400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

Good safety practices for children, courtesy Canada Safety Council:

What to do if they are lost or in danger - They should stay put (or in hazardous conditions, find the nearest safe spot), try to attract attention, and wait for a rescuer.

Where they live - Once children are in school, have them memorize their name, address and phone number in case they become separated from the family.

When someone makes them feel uncomfortable - Whether it's someone they know or not, children should be taught to trust their instincts and to seek out an adult in whom they can confide.

Whom to ask for help if they get lost - For example, a uniformed officer, store or restaurant staff, information booth or mother with children.

How to respond to situations - Practise "what if" scenarios, such as getting lost in a mall, being approached in a park, being offered a ride with a stranger. Many families use passwords; children ask anyone picking them up for the password.

Run away -  It takes a car a while to turn around. But it won't take a kid more than a second. If they think they're being followed they should turn in the other direction and run away.

Other tips

Some are obvious. But hopefully dint of repetition will help the message sink in.

• Don't talk to strangers.
• Never give out your name or address to anyone.
• Don't put your kids' names on their clothes or backpacks.
• Travel to and from school with friends
• Avoid routes that take you into remote areas

But the would-be abductors know these rules, too. So how do they lure so many otherwise savvy youngsters into their traps? Experts claim their ruses takes several forms, and advise you review them with your kids to ensure they don't take the bait.

Requests for assistance

It's the oldest trick in the book. A man stops a car and asks for directions, or help in finding a lost puppy. They may pleasantly ask a child to help them with a package into their home or car.

What to tell your kids: Adults never need help from children. If one stops to ask for assistance, have them keep their distance and tell them they can't do anything for them.

Authority Figures:

Predators take advantage of the fact that parents often tell their kids to trust police officers and security guards if they're in trouble. But what if the molesters are posing as these authority figures? They could try to 'arrest' the youngsters for theft or any other pretend offence. Handcuffs have even been used on older children.

What to tell your kids: Officials never approach kids at schoolyards, but will go to the office first if they're legit. Store officials will demand to take any suspicious kids to a security office - not out of the building. If a parent is present, you're well within your rights to accompany them. Check the credentials of any person of authority who approaches you. If they're the real thing, they won't have a problem proving it.

Job Offers:

This common ploy involves a lot of flattery and deceit. Kids are told they can be models, great singers, or contestants in a beauty pageant and are being offered a terrific opportunity. In simpler cases, the offer could be as common as a babysitting position.

What to tell your kids: Adults deal with business affairs through parents and other adults - not kids. Never, under any conditions, should they follow someone offering them a job to any location. Get a card or a contact number, and have the parent check it out first. Legitimate modeling or talent agencies don't approach kids with job offers.

Gifts

Maybe the oldest deception of all, which gave rise to the adage 'beware of strangers with candy.' It involves trying to lure innocent kids with promises of sweets or puppies. Older teens can be tempted with drugs, beer or electronic equipment like portable MP3 players or video games.

The idea is to make them feel an obligation to the adult and go with them to get their reward.

What to tell your kids: What you likely already have - beware of anyone who tries to lure you into a car or apartment with offers of anything free. It's a hard lesson we all learn - nothing in life comes gratis. The sooner they know it, the better.

Warning for parents: Remember, not all would-be attackers are strangers. Friends and relatives can be dangerous if you don't really know them. If your kids come home with unexplained items they didn't pay for, find out where they got them, and who gave them out.

Fear:

Another common technique is simple intimidation. Adults are bigger and stronger than little kids, and youngsters have been taught to listen to them.

What to tell your kids: If someone tries to strong arm them and scare them into going somewhere, their number one priority is to stay in a public place. Scream, create a scene, attract attention until someone intervenes. Yell, "This is not my father/mother! Please help!" to make others sit up and take notice. The one thing an abductor doesn't want is attention or witnesses. Commotion will generally cause them to try and get away as quickly as possible.

Fun and Games:

There's nothing funnier than a clown to some kids. But pedophiles are experts when it comes to knowing what kids like - and how to give it to them.

Arcades are often used as meeting places, where would-be abductors give kids loose change to play the games, and slowly build up their trust.

What to tell your kids: Adults don't play with children. If they try, be suspicious and run away.

The Internet:

The modern pedophile's new playground. Abductors can use it to contact children, obtain their phone numbers or arrange meetings, and spirit them away, without you even knowing about it.

What to tell your kids: The computer is in your house and you own it. Part of the rules for their access is never to give out any personal information of any kind to anyone online. That includes a last name, an address, a phone number or where they go to school. And they should never agree to meet anyone they don't know through an email or chat room invitation.

Warning for parents: Know where your kids go online. Keep track of who they're contacting. For younger children, consider a software restrictor like Net Nanny, that will allow you to program which sites they have access to. And take away their computer privileges if they violate any of your rules.


Save this page on del.icio.us

Sign up for a del.icio.us account here to save your bookmarks for free online.