Saskatoon police say a man reportedly taking photos of kids near a school park didn’t know his actions were suspicious.
Some parents were shaken after receiving a letter from administration at St. George School in Saskatoon Monday.
“Today there was a report of a man taking pictures of children in the park. This has been reported to Saskatoon police and is being investigated,” the note dated May 2 states.
Additionally, parents were told to reinforce safety tips with their kids that included being aware of surroundings and people nearby, never talking to strangers and reporting any suspected suspicious behaviour.
Police told CKOM the man was back near the school Tuesday and the principal spoke with him.
“It turns out he’s a new immigrant and was not aware the activity would appear to be suspicious,” a police spokesperson said, adding the principal called authorities with the update.
Mom Kristal Basaraba told CKOM the letter gave her an “awful feeling,” and used the incident to remind her children of what to do in a suspicious situation.
“My family has set up a family password and the kids know that if the person trying to talk to them or take them does not know that password they are to run in the other direction,” she said.