From: erik@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Erik Lode)
Newsgroups: alt.missing-kids
Subject: Re: S.T.O.P. (Safety Tips Offer Protection)
Date: 14 Sep 92 22:25:24 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA

strom@watson.ibm.com (Rob Strom) writes:

> |> 4.  I know not to put my name on any clothing, jewelry, hats, caps,
> |> jackets, tee shirts, bikes, etc. where people can see it.
> |> 
> Why is it dangerous for me to label clothing with my child's name?
> Many schools encourage such labelling, presumably so that lost
> articles can be returned more easily to the child.

  Writing a child's name the on label of a jacket to identify its owner
is fine.  Writing a child's name on the outside in letters large enough
to be read from a distance allows strangers to address the child by name
and use that to gain the child's confidence.  Such as:

				* * *

  A stranger approaches a group of kids playing on the playground after
school and reads the name "Steve" written on a boy's hat.

	"Steve!  You were supposed to go straight home after school
	for your dentist appointment.  You're already a half hour late.
	You'd better get your butt home, now!"

  Perhaps the child doesn't know this person, but it seems this person knows
him, and knows that he has a dental appointment.  Besides, Steve's probably
too busy trying to remember anything about a dental appointment and
wondering how much trouble he's in.  So, Steve quickly grabs his things
and he and the stranger run off home.  The other kids don't think much about
it, except for open speculation about what punishment Steve will get for
forgetting the appointment.  They don't know who this stranger is either,
but they assume Steve knows him--otherwise he wouldn't have gone with that
person.

  Steve has probably been told not to let a stranger take him anywhere,
but this person isn't taking him anywhere--Steve's hurrying home, and this
adult is coming along.  Along the route, the stranger tells Steve,

	"Your mom is waiting for you in the car out front.  She said if I
	couldn't find you in time she would have to just go and you would
	be in big trouble when she got back."

  Pretty soon they get within sight of Steve's home, and probably his mom's
car is not currently in sight.  Steve remarks in fear that she isn't there
(letting the adult know they are in sight of Steve's home), and now Steve's
really afraid of what's going to happen when his mom gets back.  The
stranger tries to comfort him by asking,

	"Is there any way you could get to the dentist's office by
	yourself?  I know it's easy to forget these things--it's not
	like you have them every week.  I'd hate to see you get punished."

  Steve thinks for a moment and asks,

	"Could you drive me there?"

		[ I leave the rest up to your imagination. ]

				* * *

  I made up the above scenario, but I wouldn't be surprised if something
very much like it has already happened more than once.

  I didn't intend for this post to be so long and involved, but once I
started typing it just kept coming out.  Those of you with children should
probably ask yourselves (and your kids) "What would my child do if he/she
were Steve or one of Steve's friends on the playground?"
Newsgroups: alt.missing-kids