Police Remind Of Stranger Danger

Chief Robert O. Picariello is reminding town children and parents of stranger danger with the summer months approaching.

Over the past week, police have investigated two incidents which left parents feeling uneasy.

"I don't think we have a rash of these incidents," Picariello said. "But we take each incident extremely seriously and we are very aggressive about it."

Last Friday, a parent reported an incident to police which she said happened the afternoon before.

On Thursday afternoon, eight boys were playing baseball at Hobb's Park on Clifton Avenue when according to police, the boys saw a man behind the wheel of a parked vehicle taking pictures of them.

The man was described as being white and  sitting in a black sports utility vehicle. According to one Rooservelt Avenue parent, the man was also talking on the phone and taking pictures for 20 minutes.

On Monday, police recieved a report from a Pequot Road woman who according to police reports said, a light blue SUV driven by a heavy set male with long hair was talking to a seven-year old boy on a bike. The incident took place near the Village School.

The woman was concerned the boy was being harassed. When she turned her car around to go back, both parties were gone.

According to Picariello no suspects in either case were found and there is no evidence the two men were going to commit a crime.

"We got in touch with the schools right away," Picariello said. "They sent out alerts to let everyone know what had happened and we alerted area police departments so everyone was aware."

To avoid trouble this summer, Picariello suggests parents talk to their children about "stranger danger."

"Never talk to strangers, never get in a car with strangers," Picariello said. "It's always best if a child is with an adult or other group of kids."

Picariello says if someone is approached by a suspicious person, try to notice things about the person's looks and about the car.

"The most important thing is to get away," Picariello said. "But if you do notice something about the car or the person, it's good to tell police."

Picariello said with summer vacation starting soon and prom and graduation this week, police will be on the look out for problems with town children.

"We treat these things very seriously," he said. "It's a high priority if there is any inkling (of a problem)."