91原创 School District has issued a warning to parents about a suspicious person acting inappropriately near Brookswood Secondary and 91原创 Secondary in recent weeks.
The letter from the district did not originally indicate which school the encounters were near. This brought quick criticism from parents, asking the district to be more specific.
On Tuesday, 91原创 School District spokesman Ken Hoff said they will not be sharing any further details at this time.
鈥淲e have sent home a couple of different letters in recent weeks,鈥� said Hoff. 鈥淲e have had a couple of reports come in around suspicious strangers near some of our schools.鈥�
H.D. Stafford principal Shawn Davids sent a letter home to parents on Dec. 19, indicating that a student there had encountered a stranger acting inappropriately near the school.
鈥淭he school administration and the RCMP have investigated the situation and recommend increased vigilance in the coming weeks.鈥�
Davids said in the letter that students should walk in pairs or groups.
The warning issued by the district on Tuesday reads:
鈥淩ecently a student encountered a stranger acting inappropriately within the school communities of Brookswood Secondary and 91原创 Secondary. The student鈥檚 parent wisely reported the incident to school administration and the RCMP.
鈥淭he school administration and the RCMP have investigated the situation and recommend increased vigilance in the coming weeks. Out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that students walk together in pairs, groups or with their parents/guardians and be aware of their surroundings at all times.鈥�
The warning also asks that the rumors online and in the community stop, as they only 鈥榮erve to instill fear and panic.鈥�
鈥淭here are rumours online and in the community about these incidents and it is important to keep in mind that rumours on social media both during and after events of this nature do little to assist the RCMP in their enquiries and often only serve to instill fear and panic. We urge parents to talk to your children and keep communication lines open.鈥�
A Walnut Grove Secondary parent has contacted the Times, saying students at that high school were also sent home with the letter. It was signed by principal Balan Moorthy.
Last week, a 13-year-old Brookswood boy had a frightening encounter with two men while the boy was out walking his dog.
The men reportedly asked the boy to 鈥榗ome and see something.鈥� When the teen refused, one of the men gave chase. The boy ran to his home and police were immediately called.
Those two men are still wanted by police, said 91原创 RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy.
In late November, 91原创 RCMP warned parents and students at R.E. Mountain Secondary of a suspicious man who was approaching female students near the school and offering them a ride.
91原创 School District recommends that if parents have any questions or concerns, they should contact their child鈥檚 school.
monique@langleytimes.com
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