Willow Run schools respond to Wednesday's sexual attacks by putting staff on patrol
Previous story: Parents warned after attempted child sex assaults and abduction Wednesday morning
After one man groped two young girls and tried to kidnap another Wednesday morning, the Willow Run Community Schools are taking action to make sure their students are safe on the way home from school.
Superintendent Laura Lisiscki said staff members will be posted at various places in the West Willow neighborhood to provide a safe atmosphere during the walk home.
Lisiscki said staff — teachers, custodians, principals and anyone else available — will work in two shifts Wednesday afternoon through 4 p.m. to make sure their students are getting home safely.
The reaction comes after one man groped a 17-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl, and tried to abduct another 11-year-old girl, as they walked Wednesday morning in the east side Ypsilanti Township neighborhood.
“We took it very seriously when we heard, and we immediately created a task force,” Lisiscki said.
Police are looking for a black man with blotchy patches of hair and a medium complexion as a suspect in the case. The man was wearing a black and white striped hooded sweatshirt and red shorts, and his bike was described as dark, according to Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derrick Jackson.
The man approached the 17-year-old girl at 7 a.m. Wednesday near Chevrolet Street and Studebaker Avenue while she walked to a bus stop. Jackson said the girl was passed by the man as he rode on his bike, before he turned around, got off his bike and approached her from behind.
The man put his hand over the girl’s mouth and used his other hand to grope her crotch, Jackson said. She bit down on his hand and shook free, running to her home where police were called. Her father chased the man, but he was able to escape on the bike.
Jackson said an 11-year-old girl reported to deputies who responded to the first complaint that a man matching the same description touched her on her chest while she went to the bus stop.
Deputies were taking that report when they were notified of a different 11-year-old girl who had been the victim of an attempted kidnapping at 7:30 a.m. near Nash Avenue and Dodge Court by a man matching that description, Jackson said.
The man rode up to her on his bike and grabbed her arm, reportedly telling the girl, “You’re coming with me.” She was able to break away and ran away screaming, he said.
Lisiscki sent out a phone message to district parents and West Willow residents Wednesday morning reporting the incidents and told them of plans to have staff members on patrol in the area.
She plans to be in contact with the sheriff’s office Wednesday evening and, if the man is not arrested, will be forming a plan for staff members to patrol the neighborhood early Thursday morning.
Lisiscki emphasized that she wanted district students to feel safe when they’re walking to school or bus stops.
“There may be a patrol instead of a posting but the kids have to know they’re being kept safe,” she said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
jns131
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
Ours was approached at the downtown bus stop and the sheriff told us it is an Ypsilanti City problem. Then the next day? Approached by a strange woman who wanted to give her a ride. Again blown off by law enforcement. You know what I did? I went out and bought bear spray. We take care of our own since the police will not. Stay safe and get some mace. Bear spray works great.
slave2work
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
I just wish they had sent something out to our neighborhood. we are across the by-pass from west willow. I'm sure people have seen this person, we just all have to be observant.
Monica R-W
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 10:02 p.m.
First, thank you Washtenaw County Sheriff Office staff members to being on-top of this situation immediately this morning. The WCSO had Deputies patrolling the area immediately after notification of these sad, sick attacks on our local community children. The West Willow Community is STRONG and will keep vigilance against this individual or others who might seek to harm children in this manner. Also, thank you Ann Arbor.com for accurate reporting on this story and Willow Run/Van Buren School Districts for sending out communications notifying parents of this situation. Monica RW West Willow Resident/Chevrolet Street Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
justcurious
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
Perhaps someone will notice the wind on this man's hand and report him. I heard it was to the "pinkie".
justcurious
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
Automatic spell check strikes again.."wound".
julieswhimsies
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
Oh no. Oh my God. I hope they find this vile man as soon as possible. Also, I am hoping these girls will received professional counselling. This is horrible.
Treasa Mosley
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
While teachers and staff from the schools are coming out, we, as parents, should get up Thursday morning with the staff from the schools and protect our own. I am very pleased to see the community come together to protect our children, but I see a lot of kids out at the bus stop alone even at the young ages of 5 or 6 years old! We only have a few more weeks for school before summer vacation! Keep our children SAFE!!!!!
obviouscomment
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
Hopefully they catch him before summer vacation starts because many parents cannot be home all day. It's important for all in the neighborhood to be aware and on the watch.
julieswhimsies
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.
We cannot afford to let down our guard when summer starts. Please keep the patrols ongoing until they catch this man.
Lonnie
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
How terrifying. I'm grateful these girls fought, self-preservation is so important, but many don't.
keri
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
3rd to last paragraph - "patrol the neighborhood early Thursday morning."?
Tony Dearing
Wed, May 9, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
Thank you. That's been corrected.