Victoria police are asking parents to speak to their children after receiving a series of reports involving a man exposing himself to kids near an elementary school.
Police were contacted on Friday after a man allegedly exposed himself to children in the 900-block of Wollaston Street, near Macaulay Elementary School, at approximately 3 p.m.
A few minutes later police were notified that a man had exposed himself to a second child who was walking to the bus stop at the corner of Wollaston and Macaulay Streets.
On both occasions the man had a shirt or sweatshirt over his pants and when he approached the children he lifted the shirt, “showing his pants were open and his genitals exposed,” police say.
The child in the second incident told officers the same man had exposed himself to them in a similar manner earlier in the year on Lyall Street across from the Archie Browning Centre. The child didn’t report it at the time.
The man is described as Caucasian, between 25 and 30 years old, has a medium build, approximately 5’7” to 5’9” and has short dirty blond or brown hair. He was wearing a black T-shirt, black pants and sunglasses.
According to officials, the man’s description is similar to an incident that happened in the same area on April 28.
Police are urging parents to speak to their children to help keep them safe.
"There was no physical contact with the children in these incidents, but we are treating them as a high priority," Acting Esquimalt Division Inspector Jason Laidman said.
They recommend the following tips when speaking to a child:
- If someone does something that makes you feel confused, uncomfortable or sad, shout no and tell a teacher, parent or police officer right away.
- There is safety in numbers. Bring a buddy with you when you go places.
- If someone asks you to go somewhere with them and your parents don't know, shout no and go tell a teacher, parent or police officer right away.
Anyone with information is asked to contact VicPD at 250-995-7654 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
