De Pere Police have asked for the public's help in trying to identify a man who tried to entice a child into his vehicle last Friday.
It happened in the area of the 900 block of Suburban Dr. in De Pere around 7 p.m., according to police. Two children were riding bikes when a man tried to get one of the kids into his car. Both children got away from the man and were unharmed.
The De Pere Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred on Friday, May 20th, at about 7:00 p.m.... https://t.co/pF1Kk20mGD
— De Pere Police (@DePerePolice) May 25, 2016
The man is described as white with blonde hair. He was driving a truck, unknown model or color, with a cap on the bed.
It serves as a reminder for parents to talk to their kids about what to do if approached by a stranger, especially as more kids head outside in the summer months, explained Jedd Bradley with De Pere Police.
Many parents have specific rules for their children when playing outside, like Stacy Dobberstein of Hortonville.
"I let him know that he needs to be able to see me," she said. "[If he can't], then he needs to find someone that is either in a uniform, someone that can be trusted."
Others go by the age old rule: don't talk to strangers.
"If somebody does approach them and try to say something, [go] tell an adult," said Angie Wickersheim, a mother of two.
If children are heading out to a park or for a bike ride, they should always tell an adult where they're going, and have a buddy with them at all times, according to experts.
"The power of having a buddy with you, whether it's a friend or a parent or a sibling, it really is going to keep you much safer," said Kimberly Hess, Executive Director of the Center for Childhood Safety of greater Green Bay.
Hess said children should also understand that adults will never ask a child for help.
"An adult is going to ask another adult," said Hess.
Parents should also establish a code or safe word with their children to use when someone else picks them up from school or an after-school activity, according to police.
