Orangeburg County, SC (WLTX) -- An Orangeburg school district is stepping up security after officials say several children were approached by strangers while waiting to be picked up after school.
News 19 spoke with a woman who says her grandson was lured by one of the strangers during one of the incidents.
"He and a little girl were coming from the media center that morning, and allegedly, the man pulled up beside them and asked them to get in the car," says the woman.
Her grandson told her about the incident after school. Orangeburg Consolidated District Four Superintendent Thomas Sparks is aware of the incidents.
"As soon as we found out the children had made the statements, and we're talking about it, we contacted the sheriff,"says Sparks.
Officials at Edisto Primary School in Cordova are on heightened alert. Sparks says the incidents were reported on October 7th and 9th.
According to reports, an unidentified man parked in the car line and attempted to lure children into his vehicle. "Parents should be reassured that we are taking extra steps to ensure the safety of our children,"says Sparks.
He says cameras already installed outside the school did not show anything suspicious. District schools already have surveillance cameras.
However, to improve coverage at Edisto Primary and Edisto Elementary, the district plans to add several more.
"I think it's a good thing. I think it needs to be done,"says the woman.
Other security measures are already in place. "No one is allowed to enter a car without number one, a staff member putting them in the car and number two, the car has to have that tag that is issued by us,"says Sparks.
Meanwhile, the woman we spoke to says she's grateful her grandson knew what to do.
"We praised him for doing the right thing. Parents need to emphasize to kids not to talk to strangers and particularly not to get into vehicles with them,"says the woman.
Officials say the childrens' descriptions of the suspect or suspects varied.
Meanwhile, we're being told the sheriff's department continues to investigate.
If you have any information that could help authorities, call Crimestoppers at 888-CRIME-SC.
10/28/2009 9:01:20 AM
