Tips: Keep Kids Safe From Strangers

News spread like wildfire this week that outside the and touched one of them inappropriately, prompting many residents to wonder how to keep their children safe.

The key may be in maintaining open lines of communication and practicing what to do in different scenarios, according to a Berkley mom and a Beaumont Health System Safety City program manager.

"That's terrible," Berkley resident Lisa Quimby said of the incident, which occurred Friday. "That's frightening."

Quimby, a mom of three kids ages 14, 6 and 22 months, was leaving the Community Center after a parent-tot play group Wednesday.

"We talk to (our kids) about not talking to people you do not know unless your mom or dad is with you and gives you permission," she said. "We do talk about not everyone in the world is a good person."

Those kinds of discussions are important, said Erica Surman, who is a program manager with Beaumont Health System Safety City, which conducts safety education for children.

"One of the biggest things you need to do is talk to your kids about it without making them afraid – just (let them know) that not everyone has good intentions," she said. "Keep an open dialogue so kids can ask questions."

Surman urged parents to tell their children that things are not always as they seem. For example, the man who impersonated a law enforcement officer in Berkley carried a walkie-talkie-type device and told the girls he was there to investigate a report they were setting bushes on fire before ordering them to empty their pockets so he could check for matches and lighters.

"We want (kids) to listen to adults and be obedient, but if something doesn't feel right, don't worry about getting in trouble," Surman advised parents to tell their kids. "Say, 'I'm going to call my mom or my dad and empty my pockets when they get here.'

"This guy's impersonating a police officer, so you need to talk with your kids about what to do," in that scenario, she said.

Quimby offered another piece of advice for youngsters who are approached by a stranger.

"Don't be afraid – for once in your life – to be as loud as possible because bad people don't like attention drawn to them," she said.

Surman said what kids yell when confronted by a stranger can be just as important as how loud they yell it.

"We recommend kids don't yell 'help,' " she said. "Say, 'you're not my mom' or 'you're not my dad' and everyone's on high alert. If people hear 'help' and look over and see a child with an adult, they think they're having a tantrum."

How to protect kids from strangers

Surman shared the following tips, which are used in Beaumont Health System Safety City training.

• Teach children that "strangers" are someone that you and your family don't know. All strangers are not bad, but since you can't tell if someone is bad by how they look, you should never talk to any stranger.
• Make sure kids never go anywhere alone (and) stay visible and in well-lit areas. If your child is old enough to go places without a parent, a cell phone is good to have.
• Talk about the types of "tricks" that strangers use to lure kids to them: "I lost my dog," "Your mom was in a bad accident." Role play these scenarios with them so they know what to do.
• Discuss with your children how to be aware of potential dangerous situations. Never go anywhere with someone you don't know!
• Make sure they know that they don't always have to listen to an adult, especially if they are asking them to do something that seems wrong or makes them uncomfortable.
• Tell kids never to give their name out to anyone, and do not put names on backpacks or jackets that are visible to the public.
• If a car pulls up to your child, tell them to immediately run to a safe adult in the opposite direction (so the car would have to turn around, buying your child time to run).

Report tips to

The Public Safety Department is looking for a man fitting this description (see attached sketch):

• 5'8" to 5'11" tall
• Weighing 180 to 220 pounds
• Short, dark hair with a 5 o'clock shadow
• Wearing a yellow shirt and khaki shorts

Anyone with information is asked to call the Berkley Public Safety Department at (248) 658-3380, Sgt. Pete Kelly said.