Students need parent volunteers at bus stops

Monday, October 8, was my grandson’s first day home from his tour in Iraq. On Tuesday, he accompanied his mother to her work at a school.

In the afternoon, he briefly stepped outside the school grounds to smoke a cigarette. A man pulled up to him and motioned him over to his car. My grandson went over to see what he wanted, thinking maybe directions or something.

Assuming he was speaking to a student, this man asked my grandson if he’d like to “go somewhere, maybe have a beer, hang out.” My 22-year-old grandson, of course, immediately realized what was up and said to the man, “Do you know how old I am? You’d better get out of here and don’t ever come back to this school again!”

The man sped away, but being the resourceful GI that he is, my grandson grabbed a piece of cardboard and a chunk of asphalt and marked down the vehicle license number, then called 9-1-1 and reported the incident and full description to the authorities.

I’m writing this because every day I see young children, as well as older ones, walking alone to and from school bus stops and waiting unprotected by any adult. This situation did not happen in Fallbrook but in a neighboring town. The unthinkable predators are out there.

I wish the parents for every school bus stop would get together and find designated parents who are available to stand with the students as they leave in the morning and again when the bus returns in the afternoon.

Ann Harter