The recent tragedy of a child kidnapping in Slidell, that of 11-year-old Lisa Bruno, shocked southeast Louisiana and terrified parents far beyond this immediate area. What is frightening parents even more is a second child managed to evade kidnapping, the attempt made during intense police activity, in search of just such a person. While investigators believe the two incidents are not related and not committed by the same person, the fear remains. Families, teachers and classmates all feel the fear, joined by law enforcement and other public agencies involved. Parents wish they could wrap their children in a blanket of protection which wouldkeep them forever from all harm. However, such does not exist, and we do what we can to protect and teach them. As such crimes now afflicting the North Shore can take place anywhere, including here, we offer some suggestions to help protect your children. 1. Know your child’s whereabouts at all times, no matter their age. Don’t allow them to play alone, especially at a tender age, and check them frequently. 2. Tell your child not to talk to strangers, men or women, and urge them to be cautious at all times. If someone they don’t know approaches them, they must return home immediately. 3. Never put your child’s name on the outside of their clothing, backpack or other belongings. Sometimes, children are lulled into false security when someone notices their name and uses it to gain their trust. 4. If a stranger touches them, children should immediately yell and fight back. No child should be touched by a stranger when out of the company of their parents. 5. Tell your child never to tell a stranger such information as name, address, phone number, school information or any other personal information over the internet. 6. Tell your child not to take gifts or candy from strangers. It’s old advice, but it still holds true. 7. If a child sees another child apparently in trouble by being approached by a stranger, the child should call attention to it loudly. 8. Make sure your child does know the home address and telephone number. 9. If a child becomes lost, that child should look for a person of authority, such as a police officer or deputy. 10. Tell a child if anyone, even a family member, touches that child in an improper manner, the child should tell another adult as quickly as possible. We wish we could keep all children safe under every circumstance. Unfortunately, we cannot. We can offer advice and contribute our prayers, especially for those children already in trouble, and for their loved ones.

L’Observateur