Local Incident
A schoolwide email was sent out on Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:42 P.M regarding a “stranger danger” incident. In the email signed by Ms. Martin it says, “A middle-aged Asian male in a black four-door Honda called out to a Moanalua High School student inquiring about the time. The nude male then emerged from the car as the student ran away. School administrators were notified this morning and the Honolulu Police Department was contacted and is investing.”
On November 26, 2024, there was another report of a similar “stranger danger” incident. The email stated, “This time the black car was reported to be across from the metered parking lot on Likini St. The man in question was still described as a middle-aged Asian male in a black four-door car, this time a photo of the car was provided along with the license plate number. From this we were able to determine that it was a black Nissan, not Honda.”
Statistics
Over the past couple of years, abduction rates have gone up. “In 2022, the FBI reported 359,094 NCIC entries for missing children in the US. This number increased by 6.49% from 337,195 missing child entries in 2021,” according to a report in 2022 by the FBI. The result of these statistics are horrifying, and there should be greater awareness.
“Every 40 seconds, a child goes missing or is abducted in the United States. Approximately 840,000 children are reported missing each year and the F.B.I. Estimates that between 85 and 90 percent of these are children,” according to a more recent statistic by the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center. These odds show that there is no telling of the circumstances that can happen. Taking extra steps to ensure your safety, your friends, and your family’s safety is crucial.
To ensure your safety, here are some of the steps you can take:
- Download apps that track your location to let others know where you are (Noonlight)
- If possible, don’t travel alone
- Let someone know where you are going
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Walk confidently (Keep your head up and take your AirPods out)
- Carry a flashlight
- Learn some self-defense
- Wear appropriate footwear if you know you’re walking alone
- Always carry your phone on you
- Avoid suspicious people and areas
- Keep your hands free
- Carry a non-violent deterrent (whistle, mace, or pepper spray)
- Trust your gut instincts
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