Why do the kidnappers drive white vans?

I recently read an article about a teenage girl who was kidnapped and held captive for 30 days. Fortunately, the young woman escaped from captivity and is now reunited with her family.

As a mother of two girls, the story moved me to the core. She made me angry and scared me. To the point that I not only want to help prevent something so tragic from happening to my own children, but other children as well.

Kidnappers drive vans because it’s easier to catch someone and throw them out. Also, many contractors use white vans to highlight their logo and transport their equipment. Therefore, there are a large number of white vans, making it more difficult to identify potential danger and more difficult for the police to track.

Last week my daughter was walking to school by herself. Usually, she meets a friend around the corner, so she would only walk a block by herself. In the mornings, her sister has no morning activity, they walk together.

On this particular morning, just a few minutes after leaving, he walked back through the door. So I asked him, “What did you forget?”

She did not forget anything that day. As she walked, a white pickup truck drove down the street. He slowed down as he passed her. Feeling a little scared, she turned around to head towards her house. Then the van pulled away from her.

Most likely he was just a contractor looking at house numbers trying to find the address for a job. But you never know.

I cringe every time I get an Amber Alert or learn that a new sex offender has moved into the neighborhood. So I was happy that she was coming home. Another scenario is too unbearable to even imagine.

They say there is safety in numbers. I am thankful that she has a friend to walk with and encourage him strongly. Whenever possible, she should have her son walk with a friend. Regardless of whether it is midnight or the middle of the day.

Another way to keep your children safe is by giving them a cell phone. Not only does it give you peace of mind, but it is a traceable way to know the whereabouts of your child. Have your kids text you when they leave school or when they get home. This way you know they are safe.

Discuss the possible dangers with your child. If I hadn’t told my daughter about the dangers of the dreaded white van, she might have kept walking. I would rather have my son a bit scared and wary. But most importantly – safe. You would not do that?