SAMMAMISH, Wash. — “We consider this a safe neighborhood.”
But that has changed somewhat this week in the neighborhood around Mead Elementary in Sammamish after two reports of a man trying to lure students into his van.
“We just keep an eye out. We’re out here every day, so definitely concerned,” said Bryon Peterson, who lives a couple blocks away.
The first incident was Monday morning when a boy was riding his bike to school along Northeast 21st Way when a man in a white van told him to get in.
Police say the boy rode off but didn’t say anything until he told his parents late in the afternoon.
On Tuesday, police say a girl walking to school on 216th Avenue Northeast was also approached by a man in a white van and she immediately reported it to the school.
The school’s principal and police sent out notices to parents urging them to make sure children walk or bike to school with another student or in groups.
Police say they’re also making extra patrols in the area.
Parents like Jaca Keener say they’ve noticed, along with an elevated vigilance on campus.
“We typically walk to school. This morning we dropped her off and my husband and I noticed that there’s more male presence around, which is very nice to see. They’re called ‘watch dogs’ – fathers that are involved in the school and so it’s really nice that there’s more eyes on the ground,” said Keener.
She says she’s also using this as an important teaching moment for her kids.
“You want them to be aware but not scared of outside – so just conversations of, if something happens, what do you do?” said Keener.
Police say there were no reports of any force or contact in these two luring attempts.
Police are also canvassing the neighborhood for any video that might show the suspect vehicle.
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