Two troubling incidents occurred in the past week in the Boro Park / Flatbush area which leading Askonim feel should once again be addressed.
In the first incident, an intoxicated Mexican male attempted to abduct a young girl in the Kensington neighborhood, in the vicinity of Ditmas Avenue (66th Pct). Just a few days later, a Mexican male (unknown if they are one-and-the-same) followed a young girl from a neighborhood train station, and forced her onto a nearby rooftop (61st Pct).
In both incidents, the victims were thankfully able to break free and escape.
Detectives from the NYPD Special Victims Bureau, under the direct involvement of Inspector Theresa Shortell are thoroughly investigating both incidents.
These incidents come on the heels of a highly-praised meeting held at the Misaskim Headquarters in Boro Park last week (reported HERE on YWN), which was attended by more than 40 administrators of local Bais Yaakov’s & Girls Schools, to discuss the dangers of child predators preying on young children on the streets of highly populated Orthodox neighborhoods.
“Parents must take this matter very seriously, and instruct their children to scream as loud as possible should a stranger touch them”, a law enforcement official tells YWN.
“A child screaming on a street is the number 1 deterrent to a predator”.
Thanks to the recent meeting and public awareness, the parents of the recent two victims cooperated with NYPD detectives, and female detectives were assigned to interview both victims.
A public thanks must be given to the Brooklyn South Chief Joseph Fox and his highly dedicated Community Affairs Staff, who have assigned additional officers to patrol “areas of interest”.
While recently speaking with YWN, Chief Fox gave the following safety rules which parents should discuss with their children:
*Never accept any gifts or candies from any strangers.
*Never go anywhere with a stranger even if it sounds like fun.
*Run away or scream if someone follows or attempts to force you into a car.
*Never do something that you are told to keep a secret from your parents.
*Always ask parent permission to leave the yard, house or play area before going someplace else.
*Say no to anyone who tries to make you do something your parent said was wrong or in touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable.
*Avoid dressing your children with names on their clothing, since children trust strangers that call them by their names.
(Moshe Altusky – YWN)
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15 Responses
i was visiting brooklyn this week and was horrified at the lack of parental supervision.
So was the person arrested, and if not, how do you know his nationality?
i think it might be a good idea to give all girls and possibly boys a whistle to carry around their necks . this might thwart the predetors from starting up with the carriers of the whistle.
we live in treacherous times requiring any measures to help young children in difficult times.
hashem should be the shomer, however, we need to be on alert and careful.
#2 obviously the victims said the guy was Mexican.
#2. The child obviously said. Its no too hard to figure out a mexican man
i think the whistle is a good idea ! unfortunatly i know of another incident that occured in the kensington area a girl was touched in certain areas and then the mexican ran away it was very quick and the girl was so shocked she didnt even scream this is a really scary thing that unfortunatly keeps occuring
שמואל ב פרק א
וַיֹּאמֶר לְלַמֵּד בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה קָשֶׁת
Knowledge of Karate or Krav-Maga will go a long way.
Chief Fox missed one more very important safety rule: WALK IN PAIRS OR BETTER TRIPLETS.
Predators are much less likely to kidnap or attack when you are walking in a group.
Also, talk about lack of parental supervision….? you should come see how much relaxed supervision there is here in EY. When one lives in a chareidi area, one tends to let his parental guard down a few notches, even when there are arab workers in construction right down the street. We should definitely not be somech al ha’ness.
#2 – unless the girl was fluent in Spanish to the extent she can distinguish one accent from another, or unless the mugger was known to her, there is no way one can easily distinguish a Mexican from another Hispanic, noting the New York City has tremendous diversity among Hispanic residents. Perhaps it wasn’t a “stranger” abduction? Perhaps the person was arrested previously?
The article is leaving out some basic facts.
A joint effort involving parents, rabbonim, yeshivas, teacdhers, counselers, and everyone else who is responsible for children. This is no time for political correctness nor for an eibishter vet helphen attitude. To #7, martial arts training combined with stranger awareness training.
Extending what #7 (RagachoversAssistant) & #10 (gary L), my son who is graduating from first grade (does one graduate first grade or just get promoted?) had “gym” twice a week as part of English studies. That would probably be a good time to teach martial arts or at least self-defense techniques. ;
Such a criminal attempt cannot be tolerated. Such a criminal attempt from someone who, most likely, does not belong here incriminates the government for not enforcing existing laws on immigration. The Mexican problem is a slippery slope, and then some
Hello…. When people say Mexican, they mean all Hispanics. Why are you harping on the side issues of the major problem here???
Let’s get REAL!!! With all due respect for martial arts training (and it IS a good a idea to start it young – and STAY WITH IT!) no little child is going to be strong enough (physically or emotionally) or skilled enough, to be able to fight off an adult. I always see children walking/playing outside WITHOUT adult supervision that are WAY too young to be out there alone! Parents: if you are too busy to watch or accompany your kids, then keep them in the house! Ultimately it will be your painful tragedy if chalila something happens!
I think that the wistle is a great idea, but there is one problem. In Brooklyn, a child whistling is common and unless the child knows the signal for S.O.S., it is highly unlikely that any passerby will take heed. As for martial arts,
it is true that children should learn it, though the likelihood of a child defeating a fully grown adult is very low. Maybe every child should carry around pepper spray, as long as the parents teach them how to use it, as well as a cell phone.