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Another man attempts to lure children near Phoenix school

Posted at 10:59 PM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-27 18:06:03-04

PHOENIX — A Valley school district is sounding the alarm yet again after the fourth attempted luring incident near a school this month.

The Alhambra school has now sent four separate letters home to parents since March 27. Each letter describes a different man, and in three of the cases, a different car.

The district just notified parents April 26 that they are hiring a security guard to patrol the neighborhoods in a vehicle, looking for potential predators and ensuring kids can walk to school or play outside.

The most recent incident involved "a suspicious man trying to lure neighborhood girls by offering candy to the students while they waited for the school bus. The incident happened at the Canyon Pointe Apartments at the intersection of 23rd Drive and 24th Avenue."

The district told ABC15 it was reported to the Phoenix Police Department, and the person was "described as a white male, medium build, with black hair, and wearing either a black or gray shirt."

Two incidents involved a man trying to lure a student into his car. In another situation, a family said a man knocked on their door claiming to be a teacher and asked to escort their daughter to school.

"It’s really scary. It’s a bad situation," said Cory Gant, a parent who lives near the most recent attempted luring.

"We definitely have a problem," said Blake Porter, another resident.

“Some of these people will do anything to try to get to our children," said Alhambra Elementary School District spokesperson Linda Jeffries, on April 16th.

In an email Friday she said, "From the descriptions given yesterday, there is no indication that this is the same person. We really have very limited information in terms of a description, and even if the situations are related. It doesn’t appear to be related."

If you notice suspicious people around the Westwood and Simpson area, please call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151.

Below are "stranger danger" guidelines the school sent to all parents:

Advice for children:

· Always be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity immediately to a parent, responsible adult, teacher, school administrator, or police officer.
· If you are approached by a stranger and offered anything, say NO and tell an adult immediately.
· If a stranger approaches you at a bus stop, tell the bus driver immediately that the person is a stranger.
· Never walk alone. Always walk in pairs or with a group.
· Take well-traveled, open routes to school. Avoid alleys or poorly lit areas.
· Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know.
· Do not speak to strangers; do not respond to calls or comments from strangers.
· Stay away from an adult who is asking children for help, as in seeking directions or looking for a lost puppy.
· Don’t let a stranger into your home.
· If you have any fear of an adult stranger speaking to you, walk away.
· If someone grabs your wrist, make your arms spin like a windmill; yell as loud as you can; then run.
· If you’re riding your bicycle, keep the bike between you and the adult.

Advice for parents:

· Keep young children at play outside your home or in the park within view.
· Make sure that outdoor activities are supervised.
· Teach your children that they can use any telephone, even a pay phone, to call 911.
· Teach your children that it’s okay to say “no” to what they sense is wrong.
· Have your child photographed at least once a year, more often if under five years old