SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – The Springfield Police Department is using the latest technology to keep your family safe this summer. That includes while you’re outdoors.
“You hear stories all the time about predators that just walking among us, and they come to the parks just for that reason,” said Rachel Arthur.
She says her trip to a Springfield park Monday afternoon was a bit scary. She and a group of parents say they saw what they consider a suspicious person lurking around.
“We don’t really know if he had a child with him or not, but just a weird energy that we were all sensing. So we kind of banded together to keep an eye on the kids, we’re going to go deal with this and figure out if there is an issue we need to report,” said Arthur.
She says she and a few others took matters into their own hands.
“I have zero approaching somebody and being very direct with them. We’re getting weird energy from you. What’s going on? Do you have a child here that you’re watching? I mean, just having that direct communication just to alleviate any fears, issues, or concerns is huge. It just makes it a safer environment,’ she said.
Cris Swaters with Springfield Police says, “Being aware of your surroundings is really important for your own personal safety.”
On Sunday evening, Springfield Police were called out to Nathanael Greene Park for reports of sexual misconduct. Officers learned that a man exposed and fondled himself near a playground and children. They used the department’s drone to track and arrest the man. It’s this type of activity that police say you should report immediately.
“We absolutely want people to call us if you feel unsafe or there’s something suspicious happening. Call 911 and let us know. Even if you don’t think that it’s an emergency, let us make that call so that we can check it out,” she said.
Arthur says it’s important to stay vigilant.
“Having that presence, that confident presence, that we are going to report you. We are here watching. We’re not just here letting our kids run wild. This needs to be a safe space for everybody, for the community. You can’t be here doing that,” she said.
The man who was arrested this weekend is being held in the Greene County jail. He is being accused of sexual misconduct involving a child.
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