Yellowknife (Apr 09/03) - RCMP are warning that repeat sex offender Terrance Mandeville is living in Yellowknife.

Schools' teachers talked to kids about safety, this week, but are trying not to cause unnecessary anxiety.

Terrance Mandeville, also known as Terrance Bugghins, weighs 111 pounds, and is 5' 6" tall. He is of aboriginal descent with brown eyes and brown hair. - photo courtesy of the RCMP

Mandeville has served his time, but he is also considered a risk to the public, RCMP Sgt. Al McCambridge said.

Mandeville is currently on probation with strict conditions, including a ban from being within 50 metres of schools or any place where children under 18 years old are present.

In warning the public about Mandeville, McCambridge said police must balance public safety concerns with Mandeville's rights.

RCMP must protect Mandeville from unwarranted assaults while protecting the public from Mandeville.

RCMP met last weekend with school superintendents Kern Von Hagen and Judith Knapp of the Catholic and public school boards.

The superintendents then met with their schools' principals. Each school developed a plan for talking to kids. Knapp also passed along information to the French school board.

High school students are told specifically about Mandeville, showing them his photograph.

But younger children were instructed more generally about basic safety, the importance of walking in groups, and not talking to strangers.

Knapp also notified the SideDoor youth centre, bus drivers and playground supervisors.

Mandeville's picture is posted in school staff rooms. Information is being sent home to parents, said Von Hagen, but it does not refer directly to Mandeville, said Von Hagen. "We're hoping people add two and two to get four."

He's also hoping parents will reinforce the message by talking to their children.

Every spring, RCMP visit schools to talk about safety. Because of Mandeville's presence in the community, they are touring schools earlier this year.

Whether parents decide to tell their children about Mandeville is a personal choice, said Sgt. McCambridge.

He recommends parents pick a "secret code" and tell offspring never to go with anyone who doesn't know the code.

Parents should warn children to stay a safe distance from strangers. Most abductors will not get out of a vehicle to chase a child, McCambridge said. Often they will lure a child close to them, then grab the child.

Mandeville, 32, has been convicted of 13 criminal offences, including four sexual offences.

In 1999, he was convicted of raping an 18-year-old woman while two others held her down.

In 1998, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl.

In 1993, Mandeville was sentenced to three years for raping an ex-girlfriend, causing injury. He confined the victim to her bedroom for several days and did not allow her to put clothes on.

In 1991, Mandeville was sentenced to three months for attempting to remove the underpants of a six-year-old girl.

Safety tips for kids

RCMP advise parents to teach their children the following:

• Don't take gifts or rides from strangers.
• Don't talk to strangers even if they know your name.
• Know who to call if your parents don't pick you up.
• Let your parents know exactly where you're going.
• Stay alert and don't walk alone.
• Immediately report anything suspicious.
• Never go into a public washroom alone.
• Memorize your phone number and address.
• In emergencies, children can dial 0 from a pay phone and ask the operator to call police.