Evening star., 1953-10-18
By ]. Edqor Hoover

W1lGA SlA-ycdE-OlQ oOUUy GIScn-
lease fell victim to a ruthless
kidnapping plot, the attention Of
the Nation has been focused
upon the kidnap threat.
ASSuredly, a more heinous
crime cannot be conceived. In
Turing the Greenlease child from
the custody of his school anC
taking his life, the boys kidnap-
murdererS have caused Amer
ica'S parents, schools, and youth
organizations to re-evaluate the
protection they provide young
SterS.
Criminals who would profit By
selling the lives of kidnap VIC
TINS for as great a sum as the
traffic will bear represent 6
sordid national problem. From
the passage of the Federal kid.
naping statute on June %, 1882
to the present time, the FBI has
investigated 459 cases of kid
naping. Of this total, 457 have
been solved, and the other two
are still under active investiga-
ton.
In variably, when kidnapingS
occur, Federal and local officers
find that public spirited citizens
are prepared to render every as
SiStance which is requested OF
them. Momentarily, the Nations
foremost concern is for the safe
return of the victim. In the case
of Bobby Greenlease, he was
killed shortly after being kid
naped and before the family
law enforcement, or anyone had
q chance to intervene.
Four Protective Measures.
The apprehending and convict
ing of kidnapers is deterrent
but greater preventive action is
necessary. Perhaps the realiza-
tion of this fact is the motive
which has caused many parents
teachers, youth leaders and local
law-enforcement agencies tC
analyze the protection they pro-
vide our youngsters.
Because schools are charged
with the care of millions of chill
dren throughout a great part OF
the year, each education system
should establish and enforce
stringent protective measures
These measures doubtless will
vary from community to commu-
nifty, but they should include at
least the following basic rules:
Whenever possible before
releasing a child to anyone ex-
cept his parents during the regu-
lar school day, teacher or ad-
ministrative official should tele-
phone one of the child'S parents
or guardians for approval.
2-When parent telephones a
request that a child be released
early from school, the identity of
the caller should be confirmed
before the child is permitted to
leave. If the parent is calling
from his home, the school can
verify his request by a return
telephone call. In the event the
telephone call is not being made
from the child's residence, the
caller should be asked intimate
questions about the child. These
questions might include the
child's date of birth, the courses
he is studying, names Of his
teachers and classmates ant
similar facts which should be
known to his parents.
3-Faculties of schools should
be alert to observe suspicion:
persons who loiter in schoo
buildings and on the surround.
ing grounds. If such person!
cannot readily provide a logica
explanation for their presence
the police should be notified i'm.
mediately. The identity and {
description of all such suspicious
persons should be obtained.
4-Schools, as we'll as parent
and youth agencies, should tak'
steps to make sure that adul
supervision is provided in Schoo
and recreational areas.
Cites Parents Responsibilities
The responsibility of parents
however, greatly surpasses tina
of public and private institu
tions. AS instructors in th'
worlds greatest classroom. th'
parents have the obligation O.
teaching their children tht
fundamental rules of Self-pro
lection. Specifically, children
should be instructed to:
1. Travel in groups or pairs.
2. Walk along heavily-traveleC
streets and avoid isolated area!
where possible.
8. Refuse automobile ride
from strangers and refuse to ac'
company strangers anywhere OF
foot.
4. Use city-approved play area!
where recreational activities art
supervised by responsible adult!
and where police protection il
readily available.
5. Immediately report any ont
who molests or annoys them tt
the nearest person of authority
6. Never leave home withou
telling their parents where the!
will be and who will accompan!
them.
Z. Loudly cry for help if I
stranger attempts forcibly to de
tain them.
Precautionary Measures.
In addition to impresSing thei
children with the necessity Q
following these rules, parent
also must exercise a practice
degree of supervision over thei