KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaStranger Danger Tips

Stranger Danger Tips

February 6, 2004
Reported by Pam Dixon

We've seen over and over again from this car wash surveillance video just how easy it was for a man to kidnap 11 year old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota, Florida. Even our own experiment shows how easily and quickly children can be snatched. Our two young volunteers think they know how to protect themselves. 11 year old Lucy says, "Whenever someone tries to take you away, you get on the ground and start kicking and screaming."

Watch what happens when our actor approaches them. 9 year old Catherine says, "It was easy and he could have brought me in that car and taken me." LCPD Cpl. Susan Connor says, "When they take you away from some place and nobody sees you anymore, they're going to hurt you. One of the things I think she could have done is drop to the ground and start kicking and screaming. If you drop to the ground and you're kicking and screaming, think of all the attention that it's going to cause. It'll take him a longer time to get you out of there kicking and screaming on the ground."

Connor also says kids can swing their arm backward like a windmill to help unlock a predator's hold. Connor says, "If you feel your shirt coming off that could be a good thing. Let that shirt come off and get up and run."

11 year old Alyse says, "Try to draw as much attention to yourself so you don't get taken and just not let him take you." 11 year old Ashley says, "Just never go into places where you think it's not safe. You should always go into a place where there are people."

The best piece of advice Connor can give is for children to avoid any situation that puts them alone or within reach of a stranger in the first place.

Center for Missing and Exploited Children