Hello everyone,

     It is very important that you spread the word as soon as possible to all of your coaches, parents, and anyone you know that has kids, to remind them to talk to their kids about safety and strangers or "stranger-danger".

Coaches and Parents, please pay attention when you are at the soccer fields to make sure that each kid has a parent or guardian there to pick them up after the game or wait with them until their ride arrives. If you notice a stranger(s) hanging around at the fields, let the Coach know, let a Board Member know, and pay extra attention to the kids and who they leave with. If need be, contact the Police and let them know the situation.

The incident at Batts Neck Park, is a "reminder" that we need to keep the safety of kids in mind at all times. There is no need to panic, as the article below states. We have not had any incidents, to my knowledge, like this at Old Love Point Park during the Soccer Season and we want to keep it that way.

Thanks for your cooperation in ensuring the safety of our kids.

Lee Marks
KIYSL, VP 2004 Season

September 29, 2004   
Page 15   

Abduction attempt at park reported

By ANGELA PRICE
Editor

STEVENSVILLE - The Queen Anne’s County Sheriffs Office is investigating a reported child abduction attempt at Batts Neck Park on Sept. 24.

Around 7 p.m. Friday, a stranger approached a boy who was at the park practicing with a youth football team, and he told the boy his father had sent him to pick him up, the police report said.

The boy didn't go with him, instead he walked away, said Sgt. R.G. Hofmann. When the boy walked away, the man left, he said.

When the boy's mother arrived at the park to pick him up following practice, another mother told her about seeing the man approach her son, Hofmaim said. She called the sheriff's office to report the incident about 9 p.m.

DFC Shane Russell responded and interviewed witnesses. Several people, including the coach, remembered seeing a man they didn't, recognize approach the boy, Hofmann said. Witnesses described the stranger as a white male in his late 40s with short, salt-and-pepper hair. They said he left the park in a "newer-style," medium-to-dark blue passenger car.

Hofmann stressed that there is no need for parents to panic, but said this might be a good time to discuss safety.

"Parents need to communicate with their children. They need to reiterate the whole stranger-danger thing, no matter what the age of the child" Hofmann advised. "Children need to know who can or cannot pick them up," he said. "They need to know, if there's a problem where they are, who would be their emergency contact" a coach, a teacher, the parent of a friend.

Anyone with information about the incident or who has seen someone matching the man's description is asked to call the QAC Sheriffs office at 410-758-0770.