DANVILLE — Danville schools are asking parents to talk to their children about being safe while walking to school. There have been reports that a white male with sandy-brown hair in a gray/blue midsize car has accosted at least one student in the past week and tried to coax the student into his vehicle. The student reportedly ran away from the man and took refuge on a neighbor’s porch.
Danville superintendent Dan Harper said the main thing is to encourage parents whose students are walking to school to have them walk in groups or walk with someone else. He said children should be reminded of simple safety rules.
“Do not approach any parked cars,” he said. “If approached by a stranger, do not go anywhere with the stranger. Do not go to a parked car if asked by the stranger and simply do not talk to the stranger.”
Letters have been sent home to parents and guardians about the situation. Harper said some community volunteers are out watching the streets as are school administrators, the local police department and the sheriff’s office.
Calls to Danville Police Chief Monte Vance were unreturned at press time.