RCMP probe possible child luring
Police say youth approached twice on street while another incident occurred on the Internet
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, June 5, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
RCMP are investigating new possible cases of child luring both on the Internet and on a city street.
In a news release issued Wednesday, Const. Elenore Sturko stated a child reported being followed by an unknown male twice in two days while walking home from school on Borden Drive. It happened on both Monday and Tuesday of this week, just after 3 p.m. Out of concern, the child crossed the street but the male continued to follow.
A police vehicle that happened to be on patrol in the area passed by and the male left the area, she stated.
According to Sturko, the first incident was not reported until after the second one occurred and the passing officer was not aware of the suspect at the time. The only description of the male is that he was wearing a dark hoodie pulled up over his head. Sturko wouldn't say how old the child is or whether the child was a boy or a girl.
Police are reminding parents and guardians to speak to children about their safety.
The Mounties are advising children if they believe they are being followed, they should cross the street, go to the nearest group of people or business and call police.
If confronted by anyone demanding they go with them, children should run away, yell for help, throw a rock through a store or car window - do whatever they possibly can to attract attention. Police also say that if someone is after backpacks or other material items, they should be thrown to the side while the child runs in the other direction and call police as soon as it is safe to do so.
Meanwhile, Yellowknife RCMP say they have also received a new report of possible child luring on the Internet. Police stated they received a complaint last month, according to a news release.
It was similar to reports received in March of children and youth being asked to provide nude photos to a person on Facebook.
Using the Internet to entice anyone under the age of 18 to meet for sexual acts or to help arrange sexual encounters is a crime, police stated.
