The Limestone District School Board & Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board have issued a bulletin in the interest of community and student safety. (See Update below)
According to the release: on the evening of Thursday October 13, in Bayshore Estates located just west of Collins Bay Road, a boy was approached by an older man with gray hair who asked him about hockey.
The man offered to give the boy hockey sticks but told him that he would have to get into his vehicle – a silver coloured SUV – in order to receive them.
When the boy refused to get in the man’s car, the man then asked whether there were other children who played hockey in the neighborhood. He then approached another boy, making the same offer to give him hockey sticks if he got into his car.
The School Boards state that releasing this information is not intended to cause fear or anxiety, but rather to share with the community the information that was provided to them.
They also stress that there may be a possibility of other children being approached in the future, and point out that the man in question was speaking to children about activities of interest to them. It was reported to the police shortly after the incident occurred, and the School Board was notified today.
In the event that you or a someone you know has interacted with this individual, notify Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 – with the Incident / RD number: 11-33467 .
During the month of September, teachers review age appropriate guidelines for personal safety that would be valuable to students in a variety of situations. Teachers will review these guidelines again, to ensure that all students understand. School staff will be vigilant in following all school security and supervision procedures.
The Board asks that parents, teachers, and caregivers continue to inform, prepare, and protect children from harm’s way, requesting they take this opportunity to ways for their children to be ‘street smart’ and ‘street wise’ while out in the community.
Letters containing these same incident details were sent home with students in the following schools: Collins Bay P.S., W.J. Holsgrove P.S., Bayridge P.S., Amherstview P.S., Module de L’Acadie, Frontenac S.S., Bayridge S.S. and those students from the area who attend the Challenge Program at Calvin Park P.S., as well as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School, and Holy Cross S.S.
UPDATE: October 20 – KPD released the following statement:
On Friday, October 14, 2011 the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board had sent letters notifying parents of the following incident…
On Thursday, October 13, 2011, at Bayshore Estates located just west of Collins Bay Road, reported that a boy had been approached by an older man with gray hair, driving silver SUV. The man had offered the boy hockey sticks, and allegedly told the boy to get into the vehicle.
Kingston Police Force investigated this incident and found no merit to the allegations made. The police investigation concluded that the male had offered the hockey sticks as “Act of Kindness”.
If you have any information regarding this incident contact Kingston Police, 613-546-4660, www.police.kingston.on.ca, Facebook: Kingston Police Media or Twitter: kpfmedia.
