Stranger Approached Child Near Fairfield Park, Police Say

FAIRFIELD, CT — Police are warning residents after an incident occurred earlier in the week involving a child and a suspicious vehicle near a Fairfield park. On Monday, police received a report that a Fairfield Woods Middle School student was walking home after dismissal when a man the child did not know called the student over to his car, according to a department news release. The child ignored the man, went home and reported the interaction.

The incident happened about 3:30 p.m. in the area of Palamar Park, the news release stated. The man was described as being white and in his 60s. The vehicle was a black car with New York plates.

"Although no crime was committed, we take these matters very seriously and we will continue to attempt to identify the subject," police stated in the news release.

Residents are urged to take note of the description and report any suspicious people, vehicles or behaviors to the police at 203-254-4800, the news release stated.

According to police, in a neighborhood setting, parents should:

• Remain vigilant in observing and reporting any suspicious vehicles, persons, activities, or anything that is otherwise not normal for their area;

• Regularly reinforce with their children that they should avoid suspicious persons and vehicles;

• Encourage their children to talk about anything suspicious they observe throughout their day, and encourage them to immediately tell an adult they trust if they have had an encounter that they feel was not normal.

In a school setting, parents and school staff should remind students to:

• Walk home in a group or with a buddy;

• Use routes that are more populated, unobstructed and well lit;

• Always avoid any strangers attempting to engage them in a conversation;

• Never approach a strange vehicle;

• Immediately tell an adult they trust if they think they have been followed.