Keeping children safe from abduction

Although authorities do their best to protect children, they rely primarily on parental supervision because they can't be everywhere, said Ed Tumbleson, senior deputy for the Moorpark Police.

"We become very complacent when this is not in the news. But when something like this occurs, it brings back awareness, although the danger exists every day in this day and age," Tumbleson said.

"We all need to be responsible for the safety of all our children, including other people's children," he said.

If residents see someone suspiciously paying attention to youngsters, they should notify authorities immediately.

In Fillmore, volunteer parents are assigned to stay at school bus stops with the children until the school bus arrives, said Tumbleson, who lives in that city.

In Moorpark, police teach children a "no-go-and-tell" tactic.

"If an adult comes to a child, we teach them to yell 'no' as loud as they can, and then run away and tell a trusted adult," he explained.

But a lot of times it's not strangers that people need to worry about, Tumbleson said.

Danger most often occurs closer to home, according to Dr. Myra Saltoun, clinical director at Casa Pacifica, an emergency shelter for abused or neglected children in Camarillo. Parents and children must have an open relationship and talk about possible problems.

"If children have a strange feeling, or something doesn't feel right about a person, they should tell a parent or an adult they trust immediately," Saltoun said.

Parents also need to have ongoing discussions about abuse. It can happen to anyone, so children should be told that if they feel unsafe, even with people they know, they should trust what they feel and tell a trusted adult right away, she said.

For helpful information and to get practical escape tips, visit www.kidescape.com, the website of John Hall, who has been developing and teaching anti-abduction programs for children and adults since 1988.

- Sylvie Belmond