The Essex-Westford School District has put out a warning email to parents about a suspicious person attempting to lure a child into a car.On Friday, EWSD Superintendent Beth Cobb emailed the district community, saying that faculty had become aware of an incident in which a stranger approached a child near Five Corners and offered them a ride while engaging in a conversation with them.The Essex Police Department put out a press release about the encounter, saying the incident happened just before 4 p.m. on Thursday. Police said the student was a sixth grader was walking to an after-school program when a male approached them in a vehicle and offered him a ride.The student ran to the after-school program and alerted faculty, who called the police.The student described the stranger as an older white male, possibly in his 60s, driving a black sedan.Police said they will have additional personnel patrolling the areas around the schools in Essex Junction Friday afternoon.Cobb said the incident is similar in nature to several encounters that were reported in Burlington earlier this month involving a stranger trying to entice children to take money to go with him in a vehicle near Hunt Middle School and Edmonds Middle School.Witnesses described the person involved in the Burlington incident as a tall white male with a yellow bard and a scar under his eye. The male was said to be driving a small black compact car.Officials are reminding parents to talk to their children about these incidents and to urge them to never talk to or accept anything from strangers, even if they seem friendly. Students are also encouraged to walk in groups and to report suspicious activity by contacting the police immediately.
The Essex-Westford School District has put out a warning email to parents about a suspicious person attempting to lure a child into a car.
On Friday, EWSD Superintendent Beth Cobb emailed the district community, saying that faculty had become aware of an incident in which a stranger approached a child near Five Corners and offered them a ride while engaging in a conversation with them.
Advertisement
The Essex Police Department put out a press release about the encounter, saying the incident happened just before 4 p.m. on Thursday. Police said the student was a sixth grader was walking to an after-school program when a male approached them in a vehicle and offered him a ride.
The student ran to the after-school program and alerted faculty, who called the police.
The student described the stranger as an older white male, possibly in his 60s, driving a black sedan.
Police said they will have additional personnel patrolling the areas around the schools in Essex Junction Friday afternoon.
Cobb said the incident is similar in nature to several encounters that were reported in Burlington earlier this month involving a stranger trying to entice children to take money to go with him in a vehicle near Hunt Middle School and Edmonds Middle School.
Witnesses described the person involved in the Burlington incident as a tall white male with a yellow bard and a scar under his eye. The male was said to be driving a small black compact car.
Officials are reminding parents to talk to their children about these incidents and to urge them to never talk to or accept anything from strangers, even if they seem friendly.
Students are also encouraged to walk in groups and to report suspicious activity by contacting the police immediately.
