Parents, students respond to D-12 luring incidents
The Colorado Springs Police Department is investigating two separate luring incidents from this week. Meanwhile, school district 12 leaders are responding.
Both incidents happened on the west side of Colorado Spring around the corner from several schools.
On Monday, around 4:45 p.m., a man reportedly tried to talk two girls into getting into his car. The girls were 4 and 9 years old. This happened on South Corona Street near Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and the Vanguard School.
Police said the children described the man as a dark-skinned Hispanic man, possibly in his late 20s. They said the man might be six-foot-two-inches tall with a thin build and a black mustache.
Parents who volunteer at Cheyenne Mountain Charter said it’s not something that worries them.
“For the most part, every child that comes out of this school is with a parent or adult,” said Kristie Kehm.
“If anybody is hanging out in the alleyway, there’s police officer that are around that can take care of those situations,” said Julie Renfro.
The two sisters are convinced that safety at the schools is topnotch. Both said whenever students walk the three blocks between schools, a teacher or aide is with those kids.
The second incident happened Tuesday near Cheyenne Mountain Junior High around 3:30 p.m. Two men reportedly yelled at a 10-year-old girl. They mentioned candy and asked her to get into their silver SUV, possibly a Jeep.
The girl got a good look at one of the men and told police he was between 17 to 20 years old.
In response, D-12 Superintendent Walt Cooper sent the following email to parents upong learning about the incidents:
Dear Parents: The Colorado Springs Police Department has indicated that yesterday afternoon they responded to a report that two men attempted to entice one of our elementary school students into a vehicle with the offer of candy. The incident occurred after school near the intersection of Cresta and Cheyenne Road by Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School. The only description available is that of two men (approximate ages 17-20) in a silver SUV.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of talking with your kids about safety strategies. The following link may provide some helpful hints in discussing these issues with your children: MyChildSafety.net
If you have any information regarding this incident, the CSPD asks that you call 444-7000.
Respectfully,
Walt Cooper
Superintendent of Schools
