National School Safety and Security Services encourages parents and school officials to educate children about safety issues associated with walking to and from school. Child abductions and exposure to inappropriate conduct unfortunately do occur in our society. We want children to be aware and prepared, but not scared.
 
Schools should educate students on safe travel, communicate with parents about child safety to and from school, and prepare staff for handling student concerns reported to them.
 
Tips for students and parents include, but are not limited to:
 

Travel in groups.  Form a buddy system of at least two walkers. Avoid being alone.

Follow main streets and pathways.  Don't stray off onto shortcuts, in wooded areas, or into isolated areas.

Do not walk up close to cars that may approach you.  Do not talk or engage in conversation with individuals. Keep walking and speed up, and turn in the opposite direction of the car and run, if appropriate. Do not willingly leave the area with the potential abductor.

Do not willingly go with a stranger who claims that a parent sent him/her to pick up the child.  Establish a code word or phrase between parents and children for highly unusual circumstances where parents may ask an adult unknown to the child to contact that child on behalf of the parent.  Teach children to never release that code word or phrase to anyone.

If approached and/or if someone attempts to grab you, yell and scream --- draw attention to yourself--- and try to get away.  Keep yelling to draw attention. Although the person may tell the child not to say a word, continue to yell, scream, and draw attention.

Remember that 911 calls do not require a coin fee and typically can be made from pay phones for free if a call can be made by the child. Immediately tell teachers, parents, and other responsible adults about the incident.  Try to remember color and types of cars, license plates, what the person looked like, etc.

Questions or additional suggestions may be directed to Ken Trump.