During the past week, the Boulder Police Department has responded to several reports of strangers approaching middle school students during after school hours in north Boulder. At this time, it does not appear that any crime has been committed, but officers would like to remind parents to educate their children so they are confident about the best ways to handle potential situations.

Remind children:

· Never talk to strangers;
· If an unknown adult tries to approach you, run away and report it to the nearest trustworthy adult;
· If you cannot run away, yell “HELP!” as loudly as you can;
· Don’t be outside alone – walk or play with a friend.

Here are some other points to emphasize during conversations about safety:

· Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into a car with anyone.
· Say “no” if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel sad, scared, or confused. Get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
· Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel sad, scared, or confused.
· There will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.

Anyone with information about the recent incidents is asked to contact the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3333.

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