(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

After two recent reports of men following 10-year-old Kelowna children as they walked to or from school, a similar case was reported to RCMP this morning, March 12.

The incident regarded a man apparently following a child on Ziprick and Renfrew Roads.

“Officers immediately attended the area and began an investigation,” Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy of the Kelowna RCMP, said in a news release. “The man reported in this incident has been identified and we have been able to confirm that he was not following the child, but rather walking in the same direction.”

The other incidents were reported near Dougall Road South and are still under investigation

READ MORE: Two Kelowna 10-year-olds chased by men in separate incidents

“The man in this morning’s incident does not match the descriptions provided in either of the previous investigations,” Noseworthy said. “Given the current concerns in the community, now is a good time to go over some street-proofing tips with your kids.”

Those include making sure children know their home addresses and phone numbers, know how to contact their parents, know how and when to call 9-1-1 and to establish a code word for your family to be used in emergencies to identify a ‘safe person’ other than their parent or caregiver.

Children should play and walk to places with a buddy, avoid conversations with strangers, especially if they start asking personal questions and say no if asked to do things for them, like helping to find a lost pet or give the directions.

“Never walk with or accept a ride, money or gifts from strangers or even someone you may know, without checking with your parents,” the release states. “Keep a safe distance (two arm lengths) from strangers and cars that approach you.

“If a person tries to grab you - scream loudly, make a lot of noise, and try to create a disturbance (e.g. knock things over, scatter belongings, kick wildly). Shout help, this person is not my parent! Run to a safe location like an open store.”

Try to get license plate numbers of any vehicles involved and reduce the use of headphones or electronic devices that can be a distraction.

Anyone with information on the other incidents can call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2021