By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – It was a scene that evoked a sense of panic. On a hot summer day, at the corner of Third Street and Bertrand, a small bicycle in pink and purple with a little basket affixed to the handlebars lay idle on the side of the street. Was it evidence of an abduction – or had the bike simply fallen off the back of a truck – unnoticed? Did it belong to a child that was now missing, or had it been taken – left on the side of the road by the culprit who didn't want to risk punishment?
Each scenario was considered as the Berrien County Sheriff's Department investigated the "suspicious situation" for a large chunk of the afternoon, Wednesday.
In this case – the bicycle had indeed fallen out of a vehicle. There was no missing child, no need for alarm. The owner hadn't even noticed that it had fallen out at all.
But the incident was a reminder that while children across the area enjoy their summer vacation the need for caution and safety remains.
The Michigan State Police reports through a study by National Incident Based Reporting System that "based on the identity of the perpetrator, there are three distinct types of kidnappers," including family members, strangers and acquaintances. Family kidnapping made up for 49 percent of the incidents studied. "Acquaintance kidnapping" accounted for 27 percent and "stranger kidnapping," 24 percent.
One of the frustrating things about situations like the one at Bertrand and Third Wednesday, is that there is little that police can do without any confirmation that a missing child exists. The Amber Alert system utilized in Michigan must start with some sort of actual report of a missing child – a claim by a parent or some kind of hard evidence that an incident exists.
For parents who are concerned with giving their children the chance to enjoy their summer vacations – as well as keeping them safe – one option is the City of Niles' Summer Parks Program. The program, which takes place at three parks within the city: Eastside Park on Sycamore St., Southside Park on the corner of Silverbrook and 15th Street, and Clevenger Park on Fifth Street and Cherry, runs through Aug. 1. It is open to area kids in first through sixth grades.
During the program, kids can play under the supervision of park counselors, receive snacks and lunch and even take part in special activities each week. According to Joe Racht, director of the program, parents can take comfort in the structure of the parks program. They know they're dropping them off at supervised grounds," Racht said. "Every kid is accounted for every morning and every kid is accounted for when they leave."
There are a total of nine counselors utilized throughout the three parks, two at Clevenger Park, two at Southside Park and five counselors at Eastside Park. And those counselors won't leave the grounds until every child has been picked up, he added.
Through the program, children can enjoy the park grounds and other activities. Racht said that area Girl Scouts visit the park and practice arts and crafts with the kids, the Niles City Police Department is currently sponsoring a fishing program where each child will have a chance to go fishing with counselors and police and there's swimming each week.
"There's obviously a need for it," Racht said. "And it's just a great alternative."
Racht estimates 60 children take part in the program at Eastside Park now, 30 at Southside and 20 at Clevenger. "Instead of being out and about on their own," Racht says – children can enjoy supervised, structured activities with other kids their age.
As the temptation of summer days and sunny afternoons get stronger – programs like the summer parks program in Niles are a fun and safe alternative for parents who want to give their children the opportunity to do something fun, feel somewhat independent – and come home safe.
In order to participate, parents can show up at one of the parks and fill out a form for their children. The program runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the City of Niles Summer Parks Program at Eastside, Southside, and Clevenger Parks will not be offered on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4. The program will resume on Monday, July 7 at 9 a.m.