Man Approaches Kids At Bus Stop With 'Inappropriate' Talk: School

RIVERHEAD, NY — A man tried to engage students at a Flanders school bus stop Tuesday in "inappropriate conversation," school officials said.

According to the Riverhead Central School District, which sent out a robocall to parents, on Tuesday morning, students at Riverhead Middle School and Pulaski Street Elementary School were approached by a black male, around 30 years old, at a bus stop in Flanders.

"The man attempted to engage in inappropriate conversation with our students," the district said. "Southampton Town Police have been notified and are currently investigating the situation."

As police continue their investigation, the district asked parents to continue to reinforce with their children all necessary stranger safety protocols, the need to be alert for suspicious individuals, and the necessity of reporting any suspicious behavior immediately.

The incident is the second in the area recently: A man approached a teen on their way to school in Southold last week and offered a ride, officials said.

According to a message from Southold School Superintendent David Gamberg on the district's website, at 7:40 a.m., "a high school student was approached by a middle-aged white male in a silver or light-gray minivan on Traveler Street by the Southold Library. He offered the student a ride to school. Our student refused, proceeded to school, reported the incident, and is absolutely safe. The Southold Town Police and elementary school were made aware immediately."

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley confirmed that police "have been actively investigating all day, and are working on identifying the vehicle and the operator."

Gamberg also shared the information with neighboring school districts.

Gamberg added: "The safety of your children is of utmost importance to us. We are sending this letter as a precaution and to encourage you to continue to speak to your child about staying safe, specifically about 'stranger danger.'"

The district also added safety measures for kids:

- Stay away from strangers, do not talk to or take anything from them.
- Don't go anywhere with someone you don't know. Never accept a ride from a stranger.
- Stay more than an arm's reach away from strangers. If a stranger approaches you, seek help immediately from a trusted adult.
- Use the buddy system; avoid walking anywhere alone.
- Report any suspicious activity to a trusted adult.
- Be alert of your surroundings and let others know where you will be.