Tag: greg baker

By Caleb Hutton

Note: This post and the headline have been corrected. It turns out both incidents happened on the same day, at about the same time, according to police. I misnterpreted the chronology outlined in Superintendent Greg Baker’s letter. You can read the letter below.

Here’s the full story.

Twice on Tuesday, Jan. 15, a Bellingham School District student was suspiciously approached by a stranger after school. Superintendent Greg Baker posted this letter to parents on the district website.

Dear Families,

I want to take this opportunity to remind our families about some safety precautions.

As you may be hearing about in the news, a child was approached yesterday on the way home from Parkview Elementary School by a stranger in a black van near the 700 block of West Indiana Street. Late this afternoon, we received a different report that a stranger in a vehicle near Carrington and Barkley Boulevard approached a Whatcom Middle School student yesterday on the way home from school.

In both cases, the children did the right thing by telling someone and parents reported the incidents to police. As of this time, no one has been arrested, but police are investigating. It is unknown if these two incidents are connected in any way. If you have any information that will help police in their investigation, please call 911.

Please review some general safety reminders with your children:

• Tell an adult immediately if they see someone or something that makes them worry or feel uncomfortable.
• Stay with friends. Don’t travel alone.
• Always stay in well-lit, well-supervised areas.

We have shared this information with our staff. Please know that we take the safety of our children very seriously and appreciate your support.

Thank you,

Greg Baker