DOD schools teaching ‘stranger danger’ after reports of attempted abductions
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — In the wake of recent reports of attempted child abductions at Ramstein Air Base, Defense Department elementary schools in the Kaiserslautern area and in nearby Baumholder have been instructing students on precautions to take if they encounter a stranger, a DODDS-Europe spokesman said.
Bob Purtiman said Friday that after the Air Force notified Department of Defense Dependents Schools of the situation, an email went out to the elementary school principals on Feb. 2, requiring them to present a lesson on “stranger danger” within a week.
“Getting the information out to the children is important,” Purtiman said. “We want to make sure the kids have the tools they need to fend off a potential predator.”
As part of that, school officials are telling students that if they’ve been approached by a stranger recently, “it’s OK to talk about it and let people know,” he said.
Purtiman said DODDS had received no reports of any of these alleged incidents occurring on school grounds.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is investigating reports of alleged attempted child abductions at Ramstein, an OSI spokeswoman confirmed Thursday. Linda Card said she could not provide more details since the investigation “is open and ongoing.”
A public affairs officer at Ramstein referred all questions on the alleged incident to OSI.
A bulletin posted on the Ramstein Air Base website referring to an unspecified “incident currently under investigation,” encouraged parents and caretakers “to discuss protective measures with their children.”
It said to report any information via Ramstein Security Forces at DSN 480-2050 or Commercial 06371-47-2050.
