Sheriffs at Touch-a-Truck: 4 Ways to Combat Child Abductors

For Sgt. Denise Nestor, prevention is a family affair.

Not just for her, but for all families.

Nestor, a mother and Pinellas County Sheriff's sergeant, offered plenty of preventative tips to parents and children during at Dunedin's 12th annual Touch-a-Truck on April 27.

While honks and toots from nearly 100 trucks and cars echoed across Highlander Park, she stressed the importance of constant dialogue between parents and young children in order to combat potential child predators Saturday during two Pinellas County Sheriff's seminars geared at families.

To help, Nestor brought along her husband, also a law enforcement officer, and 12-year-old son.

Nestor said her son is able to relate to the children on a kid-to-kid level, which actually helps them retain the information better than if she were to explain it. He took the mic toward the end of the presentation and spoke on using a code phrase to signal when they feel threatened, unsafe or creeped out.

Here are four of many tips Nestor shared with her audiences Saturday:

1. Have a plan. Before entering into any event or store, Nestor advised parents to get into the habit of designating a meeting place should they become separated from their child. She also said make sure your child can repeat back to you what you're wearing, your cell phone number, and who to turn to for help (i.e., a uniformed police officer, a store employee).

2. Use your voice. Teach your children to use phrases like "no" or "get away from me" if someone tries to touch them or asks them to do something that doesn't seem right. 

3. Have a code word or phrase. Nestor says it's when, not if, your child will find him or herself in a precarious situation. Whether it's being lured by a sexual predator or facing peer pressure to consume drugs or alcohol, Nestor says it's statistically going to come from someone they know and trust. Having a code word or phrase in place allows your child the opportunity to call you for help without tipping off a would-be offender. 

4. Carry up-to-date photos. Nestor suggests carrying a flash drive key chain with your child's latest photo saved on it. This saves time in the precious early minutes of a possible abduction because you'll already have something to give to authorities on the scene so the search can start immediately across jurisdictions via an Amber Alert, if necessary.  

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