Bus stop safety concerns after boy chased in North Fort Myers

Reporter: Rich Kolko
Published: Updated:
Credit: AP News.

On Thursday, it was reported a man chased after a boy in North Fort Myers after he got off the bust at his stop. Law enforcement is still working to identify and find the suspect.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect would only face a misdemeanor charge upon arrest Friday.

The boy got off the bus at his stop on Evergreen Road. The boy was approached by the suspect, who was driving a black, two-door, pickup truck. The man asked the boy what road he was on.

The boy said he thought something seemed wrong, and the man got out of his car and chased the boy on foot then eventually returned to his truck.

“Well I think the parents need to be a little more vigil,” Curtis Gordon said. “To me nowadays, parents let their kids do too much on their own.”

From a safety and security standpoint, the boy handled the situation perfectly. Running away is a smart move and one of many things children can be taught to do in this type of situation.

“Let them know if anyone ever approached them,” Windy Smith said. “Go find an adult if you could. If someone was after you go knock on someone’s door in the neighborhood. Bang on the door until someone answers.”

The incident was surprising to Curtis Gordon who lives in the neighborhood. Although he said there has been unusual activity in the area, he considers it safe for kids.

“North Fort Myers has got a name of being a bad neighborhood, but there are sections, like my street is very safe and [a lot of] family people there,” Gordon said.

Parents are reacting to what this boy says happened out here.

WINK News cameras saw a woman pull up and wait for her kids to get off the bus. They immediately got in her truck and left, leaving no chance for an incident to occur.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports about 70 percent of attempted abductions end by the child running away or fighting back.

There are a lot of ways to keep your kids safe, but the centerpiece is always communication Talk to your kids.

 

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