Two attempts to lure young girls away from a school in south Edmonton over the past week are being investigated by police.
The first incident happened on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 4 at Steinhauer School near 107 Street and 32a Avenue, according to police and a letter from principal Lori Price-Wagner sent to parents the following day.
A girl was using the boot rack inside the school around 8:30 a.m. when an unknown man entered the school through a door on the west side of the building and encouraged the student to leave with him, officials said.
“The student moved to another area of the school quickly, and the man left the building,” the principal’s letter said. Police said the student reported the incident to her parents, who contacted police.
Price-Wagner said Edmonton Public Schools division security was also contacted, and police were parked outside the school the following Friday morning.
Steinhauer School at 10717 32a Ave in south Edmonton on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.
Eric Beck, Global News
The second incident happened on Thursday, Feb. 11 — again just before the start of the school day around 8:30 a.m. — when an unknown man again attempted to lure a girl away.
“The student came inside and reported the incident right away,” said a second letter to parents from Price-Wagner. Again, police and division security were called.
Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Cheryl Voordenhout said the man left the area on foot. The EPS Canine Unit was called in but were unable to track the man.
“Both students did the right thing, and reported the incident to a trusted adult,” EPSB spokesperson Megan Normandeau said.
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“We certainly understand that these incidents are upsetting and can be very concerning for our students and their families,” Normandeau said, adding the school community and principal have been working to reassure families their children’s safety is a top priority by instigating new procedures and practices.
“Both incidents happened in the morning dropoff, so that is something that our school is really considering and looking to kind of tighten up security measures during that time,” Normandeau said.
The school has increased supervision for both morning and afternoon. Price-Wagner’s letter said effective immediately, staff supervision will be outside the school in the morning, not just in the doorways, on “green dot” days when students are allowed to enter the building immediately.
Division security would also be on-site next week during morning dropoff and teachers outdoors at the end of the day, “so students are well-supervised while they’re outside either arriving at school or leaving from school,” Normandeau said.
In addition to letters to parents, 70 families attended a virtual meeting Thursday night to ask questions and speak with school officials.
One of Price-Wagner’s letter reminded parents to talk to their kids about stranger danger.
“There is an education piece when it is a K-6 school about teaching students to be well aware of their surroundings, not to speak to or engage with individuals they don’t know and if these situations arise, to tell a trusted adult immediately,” Normandeau said.
Police said it’s not yet known if the two incidents are linked.