Patrols Increased After Man In Vehicle Asks Kids If They Want To See His Dog: PD

EAST QUOGUE, NY — Police were warning parents and guardians Thursday to speak with their children about interacting with strangers and safety precautions after an incident in East Quogue.

Later on Thursday, the Southampton Town Police Department’s detective division concluded an investigation into an incident that occurred in the area of Spinney Road in East Quogue on Wednesday at about 5 p.m., they said.

The investigation revealed that an elderly man with no criminal history, who has decades'-long ties to the community, was conducting lawful business at the location when he saw two juveniles and assumed they were known to him, police said.

He attempted to exchange pleasantries with them and offered to show them his small dog, which was with him in his vehicle, police said. The children responded appropriately and declined, then went directly home, "as all youths should do when approached by an unknown person," police said.

Although the incident has been determined to be non-criminal in nature, it provided members of the community an opportunity to remind children of how to respond, police said.