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For the second time in less than a week, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District has issued a stranger-danger alert due to a suspicious man harassing a female student at Dougherty Valley High School.
While walking to school on Bayberry View Lane at approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, a female student was approached by an unknown man around 40 years of age, driving a gray four-door Toyota Prius, according to district officials.
The man asked the student if she wanted to ride, to which the student replied “no,” and then drove away — after which the student reported the incident to the San Ramon Police Department, whom district officials say are investigating the incident.
This is the second stranger-danger alert sent out by the SRVUSD in the past week, after issuing one on Friday after an unidentified female student was harassed by a man while walking home from school.
According to district officials, during Friday’s incident the student was repeatedly asked if they wanted a ride home in the suspect’s black Honda sedan and was eventually told by the man to “get in the car.” Friday’s suspect was reported as being around 30 years old.
“We recognize that this is the second incident this week, but we do not know if this is the same individual,” district officials said in a statement. “We know that these kinds of incidents are concerning to our community, so in order to help keep students safe, we encourage parents to take some time to talk to their students of all ages about safe practices while walking to and from school.”
Stranger safety practices district officials recommend parents and guardians talk about with their students include:
* Do not talk to strangers, even if they know your name.
* Always walk directly to and from school using the same path every day.
* Always walk or ride your bike with a group of friends.
* Run directly to school or home if you are approached by a stranger.
* Immediately notify a school official or parent.
The SRVUSD encourages students and residents who see something, to say something, and report suspicious activity.
Anyone with information related to either of these incidences is encouraged to contact the San Ramon Police Department at 973-2700. Each SRVUSD school is also equipped with an online anonymous tip line where information can be dropped about this case or any other.
I agree with everything in the Stranger Safety Practices of this article EXCEPT for the part about running home if a stranger is following you. The last thing you want is some creep knowing where you live. Instead you should recommend that students run to a crowded area (store, gas station, etc.) and immediately let an adult know what’s happening.
Many years ago I set up a block parent program in the town in which we lived. A local church took over and expanded the program. It is important that our children have a safe haven if frightened or approached by a stranger. An open cell phone available for use or photos of the stranger and/or the car would be useful.