Parents, have you had ‘the talk’ with your kids?
After two recent incidents involving predators attempting to lure children in our region (see story on page 7), local residents have to do whatever they can to protect our youth.
Airdrie is not the small town it used to be. Crossfield is not the small town it used to be. And Calgary is not the small city it used to be. We have crossed a threshold.
It is no longer surprising to learn that criminals are targetting the region outside of Calgary.
Smaller communities have a smaller police presence, a fact not lost on criminals of all types.
Thieves are striking in smaller centres and fleeing to their urban retreats.
Predators, it seems, are no different.
As always, the best defence is to be prepared.
Talk to your kids.
Teach your little ones what to do when they are approached by a stranger.
Explain to your older kids the dangers presented through online social networks.
Police can’t always be there to prevent predators from preying on kids. Neither can parents.
However, a child who knows the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour has a much better chance to escape harm.
There is no way to keep all kids completely safe. Some predators will succeed in their terrible pursuits, and those who do must face a tougher judicial system. But that is a matter for the politicians to rectify.
What we can do, as a community, is look out for one another. We can teach our kids; we can watch our kids.
But, most importantly, we can have our kids look out for themselves and each other.
