My 15 year old was riding his bike this morning

[java]

He rides in our neighborhood and the next neighborhood- (does laps) Never this early though.
Well today he says a minivan was following him. And it would wait a few houses down - he was avoiding it. The guy got out of the minivan and my son rode the other way.
He followed him a little more- my son rode around to lose him and then came home.

Now WWYD?
It might have just been nothing- it might have been someone lost (we are rural) and he would have been the only one on the roads then.

Or it could have been a creep.

But my son is almost 6 feet tall and a big kid. I can't imagine someone thinking they could grab him. Which makes me think lost person. But then again my son- generally good judge of the intuition said it was weird and he was afraid.

 

[golfgal]

He rides in our neighborhood and the next neighborhood- (does laps) Never this early though.
Well today he says a minivan was following him. And it would wait a few houses down - he was avoiding it. The guy got out of the minivan and my son rode the other way.
He followed him a little more- my son rode around to lose him and then came home.

Now WWYD?
It might have just been nothing- it might have been someone lost (we are rural) and he would have been the only one on the roads then.

Or it could have been a creep.

But my son is almost 6 feet tall and a big kid. I can't imagine someone thinking they could grab him. Which makes me think lost person. But then again my son- generally good judge of the intuition said it was weird and he was afraid.

I would have called the police-did he get a license plate number? The police would rather investigate and find a lost person then have to find the body of a kid later on.

 

[Aneille]

I would probably call the local police dept. and let them know. Tell them that you don't know the guys intention but your son was creeped out and give them the description.

It can't hurt anyone but ignoring might.

 

[Rora]

I would probably call the local police dept. and let them know. Tell them that you don't know the guys intention but your son was creeped out and give them the description.

It can't hurt anyone but ignoring might.

I totally agree.

 

[java]

So I called and they want him to come in a file a report. They said it best to know details on it so they can keep an eye out. And with this time of year they said the "Bad guys come out"

 

[FormrCastMbr]

you did the right thing...we have some weirdos around here.

 

[sbell111]

It's strange that they wanted you to come in to file a report. In our town, they would have sent a patrol car to the neighborhood to see if they can find the guy. Then they would have come by the house to either tell you why there wasn't anything to be concerned about, or to take a report.

 

[lillygator]

He rides in our neighborhood and the next neighborhood- (does laps) Never this early though.
Well today he says a minivan was following him. And it would wait a few houses down - he was avoiding it. The guy got out of the minivan and my son rode the other way.
He followed him a little more- my son rode around to lose him and then came home.

Now WWYD?
It might have just been nothing- it might have been someone lost (we are rural) and he would have been the only one on the roads then.

Or it could have been a creep.

But my son is almost 6 feet tall and a big kid. I can't imagine someone thinking they could grab him. Which makes me think lost person. But then again my son- generally good judge of the intuition said it was weird and he was afraid.

Locally here...there was a 13 or so yr old at the bus stop WITH other children there as well who was grabbed...he was the teen who actually was taped to a tree and got away. So if someone is planning on snatching someone, they are going to do it no matter what.

 

[java]

It's strange that they wanted you to come in to file a report. In our town, they would have sent a patrol car to the neighborhood to see if they can find the guy. Then they would have come by the house to either tell you why there wasn't anything to be concerned about, or to take a report.

This is the state police. We don't have a local police force. And I said it was no problem- they are not far.

But yes in our neighborhood they would have come over- (really to have some coffee but we knew all of the local police there) Here now it's big state troopers!

 

[onelilspark]

You did the right thing, better to be safe then sorry. Go in and file a report. If something were to come up, if this guy were to (God forbid) take another's child, the police have a lead because you & your son did the right thing.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Oh great - more parnanoia about my dd walking -s houldn't have opened this thread!

But - as far as your son I'm glad he was able to keep his senses & know how to ride away.

Here & the last place we lived I'd called the cops several times & they just send an officer by to check things out & they ask if I want contact back from the officer & I usuallyl say no - as long as they come by I'm ok -

I've even asked them to drive by when dh was out of town & they have - no problem since they're out patrolling anyway.

BUt the way they responded makes it sound like they know there's someone out there that they are trying to catch

 

[LuvOrlando]

I wouldn't underestimate the situation, or the level of crazy in this world. You have no idea if he's been watching your house or if it was just an opportunity thing. Pay attention to see if there are any other new vehicles in the area, he could be spying in one vehicle and cruising in another.

Reading this made me think of John Wayne Gacy who only went for young strong men Not that the world is full of Gacy's but if there is only 1, and you're kid is a victim of that 1, there doesn't need to be more KWIM.

This year my DS is in middle school and, thank heavens, the bus stop is just outside my MIL's front door and since she is next door, easily within scoping distance. Hopefully my constant in & out will be a deterrent. I have always thought that bus time was a huge danger, all the lunatics know where all the kids will be each and every day. A DF of mine (also from a city with as many bad stories as I have) with kids a year older than my DS is thrilled my DS will be there this year so she doesn't need to send her 6 ft 3 inch DH down with the kids every morning. So what if some call me protective or nervous, I am a product of my experiences just like everyone else and city experiences are not suburb experiences by a long shot. If my behavior keeps my kids safe I really don't care what others say. I am flame ready and expect low blows. Whatever, nothing is going to change my mind.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

OMG trust youro son's instincts! If it feels wierd it usually is.

Hope your ds is okay, that had to be super scary!

 

[ma2jr]

Omg... that's enough to keep you up at night. I would report it to the police.

 

[Micca]

I think filing a report now will give authorities something more to work with if this would ever happen again. Glad he's safe, and smart enough to sense some possible danger.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would make sure my son has his phone with him when he is biking and then have the police number in his address book. You never know. It was probably nothing but being proactive doesn't hurt either.

Probably should talk to him if he encounters that situation again and what to do if the person tries to flag him down.

If he is that big he may appear to be an adult to some people. Something to keep in mind.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

When I was 14 (I'm 18 now) I was walking my dog through my neighborhood at dusk And a man turned the corner I had just passed and started following me. What was weird is when I passed that street corner I didn't see anyone coming up that direction, and you can see pretty far down that road. But there is a lot of brush and bushes on that corner... My dog got really nervous and tense and started pulling me forward, and I got a little nervous too. So I started walking faster, and he started walking faster and was catching up to me.

Finally, my dog started flipping out so we just took off running, I was about 2 blocks from home. THE GUY STARTS RUNNING BEHIND ME. He wasn't yelling to me or anything, just trying to catch up. Scariest moment of my life.

When I got home my dog just stayed at the door and growled. I peaked out the front window and he was standing at my front door just looking at my house. I locked everything and sat in the corner while my dog protected me.

After he left my yard I called my parents and they told me to call the police. I explained my situation and later that night they called my parents to explain that a recently released SEX OFFENDER had just moved into our neighborhood and they were keeping close tabs on him.

2 weeks later he moved away. Suspicious much? Basically, I'm saying you were right to call the cops. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't called. He could have just fallen under the radar and gone after another kid - and he could have succeeded. He could have gotten one of my friends.

I sometimes wonder about what could have happened to me that day, but I don't think that guy had a prayer against my boy Luke! Thank goodness for man's best friend!

 

[java]

I would make sure my son has his phone with him when he is biking and then have the police number in his address book. You never know. It was probably nothing but being proactive doesn't hurt either.

Probably should talk to him if he encounters that situation again and what to do if the person tries to flag him down.

If he is that big he may appear to be an adult to some people. Something to keep in mind.

That is the tip the police had this am. They said have your phone handy so you can snap a picture of the license plate- or even just dial it into your phone as a phone number.

I was proud of how he handled himself and thankfully was able to use it as a teaching moment for my other younger kids.

And holy smokes Jupiter I am so glad you had your dog with you!

 

[snapppyd]

When I was 14 (I'm 18 now) I was walking my dog through my neighborhood at dusk And a man turned the corner I had just passed and started following me. What was weird is when I passed that street corner I didn't see anyone coming up that direction, and you can see pretty far down that road. But there is a lot of brush and bushes on that corner... My dog got really nervous and tense and started pulling me forward, and I got a little nervous too. So I started walking faster, and he started walking faster and was catching up to me.

Finally, my dog started flipping out so we just took off running, I was about 2 blocks from home. THE GUY STARTS RUNNING BEHIND ME. He wasn't yelling to me or anything, just trying to catch up. Scariest moment of my life.

When I got home my dog just stayed at the door and growled. I peaked out the front window and he was standing at my front door just looking at my house. I locked everything and sat in the corner while my dog protected me.

After he left my yard I called my parents and they told me to call the police. I explained my situation and later that night they called my parents to explain that a recently released SEX OFFENDER had just moved into our neighborhood and they were keeping close tabs on him.

2 weeks later he moved away. Suspicious much? Basically, I'm saying you were right to call the cops. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't called. He could have just fallen under the radar and gone after another kid - and he could have succeeded. He could have gotten one of my friends.

I sometimes wonder about what could have happened to me that day, but I don't think that guy had a prayer against my boy Luke! Thank goodness for man's best friend!

I had a similar experience when I was only about 9 or 10. A man followed me into my apartment building after I had walked my dog. He said he was a doctor and that it was good exercise to walk the dog, then asked me if I could touch my toes. I was wearing a dress - you get the idea I got a bad feeling and rang our apartment bell from the lobby and ran all the way up the five flights of stairs.

Mind you, my mother used to watch me out the window while I was walking the dog, but this occurred right inside the building. This was in The Bronx, but it can happen anywhere

 

[mjkacmom]

I wouldn't underestimate the situation, or the level of crazy in this world. You have no idea if he's been watching your house or if it was just an opportunity thing. Pay attention to see if there are any other new vehicles in the area, he could be spying in one vehicle and cruising in another.

Reading this made me think of John Wayne Gacy who only went for young strong men Not that the world is full of Gacy's but if there is only 1, and you're kid is a victim of that 1, there doesn't need to be more KWIM.

This year my DS is in middle school and, thank heavens, the bus stop is just outside my MIL's front door and since she is next door, easily within scoping distance. Hopefully my constant in & out will be a deterrent. I have always thought that bus time was a huge danger, all the lunatics know where all the kids will be each and every day. A DF of mine (also from a city with as many bad stories as I have) with kids a year older than my DS is thrilled my DS will be there this year so she doesn't need to send her 6 ft 3 inch DH down with the kids every morning. So what if some call me protective or nervous, I am a product of my experiences just like everyone else and city experiences are not suburb experiences by a long shot. If my behavior keeps my kids safe I really don't care what others say. I am flame ready and expect low blows. Whatever, nothing is going to change my mind.

I don't live in a city, but a suburb of NYC, population 27,000, and dd walks to middle school, usually with a friend or two, a 15 minute walk. My elementary school students walk 10 minutes to school without me (well, not dd6 and ds6, only because I don't trust ds6). Today dd13 rode a few miles to the track with her gf, and I didn't give it a second thought. Once they get to high school, lunch and free periods are open campuses - they can go wherever they want, and most go out for lunch. She's allowed to walk across town to Rita's, or the diner, with her friends now, so she'll be ready in another year to handle it. Even ds11 bikes around town with his buddies - maybe we're in different areas, though.