The Truthseeker Blog

This is a recent Dear Abby letter regarding an elderly neighbor taking one picture of a mother’s child and niece in their costumes on Halloween night :

 DEAR ABBY: Please help me. I wasn’t sure how to handle an uncomfortable situation last Halloween, and your answer will help me be better prepared this year.

I took my 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old niece trick-or-treating. We only walk up walkways that are well-lit. As we approached one house, an older gentleman was waiting at the open door, handing out candy to the kids.

Before I could process what was happening, he whipped out (whipped out?) a camera and took a picture of my daughter and niece (with you standing right behind them). I was not comfortable with it at all. But what could I have possibly done or said without being rude? Our neighborhood is a safe area, but in this day and age you can trust no one.

Do you think it was inappropriate for an older man to take pictures of someone’s children? What would be the proper way to handle it this year? — HALLOWEEN ESCORT, SAN DIEGO

DEAR ESCORT: While I admire your vigilance as a parent, if the children were wearing cute costumes, I don’t think it was inappropriate for the gentleman to want to take their picture. Of course, it would have been better had this neighbor first asked permission. But since he didn’t, and it made you uncomfortable, avoid his house this year and in the future.

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    Now this is paranoia. What is wrong with someone taking a picture or two of parents with their children on a well lit and festive night? If this elderly gentleman had anything to hide, he wouldn’t be standing outside his own door with the porch light on where everyone can see him, that’s a sign of trust not deviation. He is probably just being nostalgic for the holiday.This woman should know that over 90% of sexual abuse is not committed by a stranger. It is often a well known family member or friend according to the Department Of Justice. “Stranger danger” is largely a myth. It is shocking to know how many people are uneducated about this subject and it’s time to change that. Keep in mind that there has not been one documented case where a registered sex offender has sexually abused a trick-or-treater. With so many on the registry being low-risk people, it’s no surprise. If a real predator wanted to abduct a child, why would he choose a night when traffic, lights, parents, neighbors and police are prevalent? It makes no sense. The corporate news media and vote-hunting politicians have employed these scare tactics to fatten their wallets, not to make your kids safer.Factually, traffic is more of a threat to your child’s safety than sex offenders are. Think about how easy it would be for your child to dart into a busy street while you talk with a neighbor only to learn your daughter was ran over by an intoxicated driver or careless teenager kissing his girlfriend behind the wheel. It is easy for a tragedy like this to occur, so be sure to keep an eagle eye on where your kids wander this Halloween night (always worked when I took my own daughter out trick-or-treating). But also keep in mind that plenty of former sex offenders have families too and are just as concerned about their safety. So use logic when trying to keep your kids safe on Halloween and look beyond media or political hype if you want legitimate data [this link is a great place to start].

Have a joyful and safe Halloween!