Ottawa police are investigating the second suspicious incident involving children and strangers reported in the last two days.
Police say the most recent report involved a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly stopped by a man driving a blue van when she was walking alone in old Ottawa South just before 9 a.m. Wednesday.
The man allegedly offered the girl a ride and then demanded that she get into the vehicle -- she refused.
Earlier this week, Ottawa police received a report of a sexual assault in the city's west end. The incident, which was reported on Tuesday, involved a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly grabbed from behind, thrown to the ground and sexually fondled last Friday.
"We're concerned about the safety of our children and they seem to be getting the message. They're, you know, doing the right thing and we're very encouraged," said Staff Sgt. John McGetrick.
Nine suspicious incidents since April
The recent incidents follow a string of similar events this spring. Since April, about nine suspicious incidents between strangers and children have been reported to Ottawa police, who say they believe only a couple may be linked.
School board sends home notices
Now, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has issued letters to go home with children who attend six schools in areas where incidents have been reported.
"We're telling kids to be very careful; we're telling kids to be aware; we're telling kids to be vigilant; we're telling kids to not travel by themselves," said Petra Duschner, Safe Schools manager with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Ottawa public schools that have sent home notices include:
- Hopewell Avenue Public School
- Knoxdale Public School
- Regina Street Public School
- Greenbank Middle School
- W.E. Gowling Public School
No need to panic, police say
Police, however, say they don't believe the city is experiencing more suspicious incidents than usual. Officers, instead, say they believe it's a case of more incidents being reported.
Still, parents like Tammy Ayson say the recent spike of reported incidents between strangers and children makes walking kids to school more important than ever.
"You don't want to live in fear and you don't want to raise your children to be afraid but you want them to be smart and alert," said Ayson. "I think we're all just in a heightened state of alertness."
Reduce your risk
Reduce the risk of your child becoming a victim by:
- Making sure your children know how to reach you in case of an emergency
- Using a password when a stranger picks your kids up
- Telling kids to avoid walking alone
- Telling kids to never accept gifts from strangers
- Staying in well-lit areas and avoid walking or playing in isolated locations
- Making sure your children are aware of their surroundings
Click here for more tips from the Ottawa Carleton District School Board
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr
