Manitoba police chief concerned by child luring reports in his community

Morden police are trying to determine if there is a connection between a pair of reported child luring attempts that occurred in the city on the same day last month.

"It's a great concern to think that there may be somebody out there that is doing this," says police chief, Brad Neduzak. "Obviously it is a concern and we want people to be aware, not scared but be aware," he adds.

While police have boosted patrols around the school where the reported incidents took place, the public is encouraged to call the Morden Police Service if they notice anything suspicious such as vehicles that don't belong.

"The nice thing about a small community is a lot of people know who should be there and who looks out of place so to speak, and we encourage those people to call those situations in so we can follow up," says Neduzak, adding it's better to check on potential suspicious behaviour and learn it was nothing rather than ignore it and find out that something did happen after all.

While he doesn't want to set panic in among the community, Neduzak urges people to be cautious, aware and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.

For young people, Neduzak says that means never getting into a stranger's car for any reason. If you are approached, he recommends finding safety in a nearby home or with another individual away from the situation.

"That's probably the nice thing about living in a small community, anybody would be willing to offer help or to call their parents or police," he added.

As well, Neduzak says getting a vehicle description or license plate information would certainly help police in their investigation but stresses the first priority is for kids to get away from the situation and find safety. With most kids also carrying their own cell phones these days, he notes that offers them a chance to call home or the police shortly after the incident as well.

"The sooner the better that we can be contacted and get to that area, and if there is a vehicle involved, then we can try and track it down quickly."

And while it might go against their initial instincts, Neduzak also urges parents not to ask their kids too many questions until police have a chance to talk to them, with a parent present, in order to ensure the accuracy of the information being reported.

"It's a delicate situation...(but) it is best that we get involved as soon as possible and be able to speak to the individual and get the details firsthand. Parents, with all good intentions, question and ask different things about the incident and as a result, the information can get skewed before the police get the details they need," he explained.

Again, the public is asked to report any activity that may seem out of place or suspicious.