Valley stranger danger reports spark concerns and need for education

Mika Moulton is the founder and executive director of Christopher’s Clubhouse, a local organization devoted to family safety education and empowerment. The group’s on high-alert after recent reports of stranger danger across the Coachella Valley.

Several children were approached on different occasions in September as they walked home from school, two in Thermal and one in Desert Hot Springs.

“I’m so impressed these kids knew to run and get away. That’s so important,” said Mouton.

Moulton’s 10-year-old son Christopher was kidnapped and killed nearly 20 years ago.

“We all tell our children not to talk to strangers. I realized after my son’s abduction I never taught my son what to do if somebody grabbed him,” said Moulton.

Moulton said parents should be proactive to help prevent it from happening.

“Make every opportunity wherever you go a learning experience. You say, ‘What if you we got separated? What would you do?’ Ask the child a question and make sure they understand who they could to wherever they’re at to get help and who they could not go to.”

Christopher’s Clubhouse offers safety programs for children and their families and brings a portable ID kit to events across the Coachella Valley. It offers a free packet and CD with your child’s finger prints, a photo and a video of your child answering basic questions for you to have on hand if your child disappears.

“We hope and pray they’ll never ever need to use it. But if something should happen, they can give that CD to police and there’s that information right there,” said Moulton.

Moulton recommends parents update the packet each year with new pictures, and your child’s current height and weight on the back.

Christopher’s Clubhouse will be at the National Night Out event Saturday, Oct. 18. in the Target and Boomers parking lot in Cathedral City. The free family event is from 3-8 p.m. Multiple organizations will be on site to bring awareness on being safe. Enjoy music, free food, games, prizes and more.

For more information, contact Christopher’s Clubhouse at www.christophersclubhouse.org