As the school year continues, the Jefferson Police Captain has some safety reminders for younger students. 

Captain Jason Kroeger says parents should make sure their younger kids that attend elementary school have a designated route to and from school if they walk to a bus stop or the school building itself, along with walking with an older sibling or another family member, and/or a trusted friend. He urges parents to also have those kids memorize their full name, home address and a phone number that someone can answer quickly if they get lost or in a situation where police are trying to help them.

“One of the most frustrating things when I’ve been out and found children who are lost and scared, couldn’t find their way to school, or a hundred other reasons I ask them, ‘What’s your name?’ They give me their first name. ‘What’s mom’s name, what’s dad’s name?’ And they say, ‘Mom’ and they say, ‘Dad.’ ‘Where do you live?’ (They say) ‘I live in Jefferson.’ Where’s that at?’ (They say) ‘In town.’ We need to make sure they have those things memorized.”

 As for strangers, Kroeger defines a stranger as someone who you do not know. While Kroeger notes that not all strangers are bad strangers, he has this advice that kids should be aware of to be a clue that someone is likely a bad stranger.

“I would caution children: if an adult ever asks you to help them with something they’re probably up to no good. A grownup is not going to ask a five-year-old, a four-year-old to help them do something that can be a good indicator that something bad’s going on.” 

Kroeger additionally suggests parents can include identifying information about their child on their backpack, but to have that tag located inside the bag so that it is not easily seen by anyone.