JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A second Jacksonville student was approached by a man in a vehicle, this time at an Oceanway Middle School bus stop. Internal Duval County Public Schools emails obtained by Action News Jax detail the incident, which happened near New Berlin Road and Hudson Grove Road.
The student told officials the man was an unknown white male, about 50 to 60 years old, with a thin build and gray hair. She said he pulled up in a green pickup truck and asked if she wanted a ride.
“Scary right concern as a father of three, and you know, a neighborhood full of kids; we have the Oceanway Sports Association right behind us it’s kind of scary,” Alan Hernandez said. Hernandez lives near the bus stop and coaches softball. He says the situation is shocking.
“I just think us as parents, we need just to be watchful,” Hernandez said.
The internal email says the student declined the offer and reported that the man did not threaten or try to force her into the vehicle. She told officers he appeared intoxicated. The student’s father yelled at the man to leave her alone, and the man drove off. The father then flagged down a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer.
The Oceanway Middle principal notified parents, writing that the student made the safe choice not to engage and that a vigilant adult stepped in to help.
Their notice reads:
Hello Oceanway Middle School Families,
This is Principal Stansel reaching out with an important safety message.
This morning, an unknown individual driving a green pickup truck reportedly approached a student at their bus stop and attempted to lure the student into their vehicle by offering them a ride. Thankfully, the student declined the offer, and an adult at the bus stop intervened. The individual then drove away. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and School Police were immediately notified.
The safety and well-being of our students is one of our highest priorities. We are grateful that the student made the safe choice not to engage with the stranger and that a vigilant adult recognized the situation and took action to help keep the student safe.
Your child’s safety is important to us, and we encourage you to take a few moments to review the following Stranger Danger Safety Tips with them:
• Use the buddy system and avoid walking anywhere alone, whenever you can.
• If a stranger approaches you, you do not have to speak to him or her. Never approach a stranger in a motor vehicle.
• Never go anywhere with someone you do not know, even if they offer you treats, toys, or pets.
• Never walk off with a stranger no matter what he or she tells you.
• If a stranger grabs you, do everything you can to stop him or her from pulling you away or dragging you into his or her car. Drop to the ground, kick, hit, bite, and scream.
• Do whatever it takes to attract the attention of others who can help you. If someone is dragging you away, scream, “this is not my dad,” or “this is not my mom.”
• If someone is following you, try to remember the license plate of the vehicle and immediately tell a trusted adult.
Thank you for your continued support, as we work together to keep our students safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Thank you again.
Best, Elizabeth StanselPrincipal
Another internal email outlines a separate incident last week involving a Lonestar Elementary student. It says an 80-year-old white man told the student to get into his van so he could give her a ride. He was detained, and the investigation is ongoing.
“Please say something if you saw the individual or if you know of anyone that’s just trying to cause harm to kids, just report it,” Hernandez said.
The email about the Oceanway incident says officers obtained no photos, videos or license plate information and found no evidence of a criminal offense, though the man’s actions were considered suspicious.
DCPS says it is aware of the report and that JSO responded. JSO has not answered our questions about why the Oceanway middle school bus stop incident did not rise to a criminal offense.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
