Friday, June 5, 2009

I got a fright this afternoon.

Bradley miscalled my cellphone as usual after school today. When I called him back he sounded a bit shaky and soon lapsed into tears. I went into stress mode and tried to calm him down and get to the bottom of why he was upset. 'Don't be cross but I was mugged" - What!
It turns out that he was halfway up a steep road on his route home when an guy approached him and snatched his cellphone out of his school shorts pocket. Unbeknown to the thief, a lady rep was just driving out of her driveway and when this guy saw the lady he thrust the phone back at Bradley and then pretended to be friendly with him, for the benefit of this lady. Bradley said he had his arm around his shoulders and was whispering to Bradley that he would get his phone. Bradley reacted and shouted at the guy to leave him alone and wrenched away, running to the lady and telling her what happened. The lady flagged down a passing security guard and told him about the incident. She then insisted on taking Bradley home and making sure he was out of harms way. She gave him her card (she is a newspaper rep) and when I phoned to thank her for her help, she said that if Bradley ever has a problem while he is in the area, he should enter her yard and stay there and she would get him home safely. There are still good Samaritans around.
Thank God for watching over my son because this is the kind of incident which could have turned out more seriously than it did. As it is Bradley had nothing stolen but the whole thing gave him a fright and a serious wake up call about walking around the area, especially on his own. We are now going to let him get a lift to my sister's house with her neighbour who collects her kids from the same school and then he will stay there until I fetch him after work. He will also be given the old cellphone which is not much of an incentive to steal.
Children disappear worldwide on a daily basis. They are an easy target for unscrupulous thugs. We need to be vigilant. We need to train our kids. Luckily Bradley reacted and shouted out. He didn't let the thug intimidate him into silence. Self-defence can be the difference between life and death.

12 comments:

  1. I'm walking my kids to school until they graduate.

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  2. I'm so sorry! It is a horrible thing to experience! Well done Bradley! Thank goodness for such a kind lady!! Mom you have earned a few shots tonight thats for sure!!

    Take care

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  3. That is terrifying. I am so thankful he is OK. What a horrifying situation.

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  4. Oh my - there was definitely an angel watching over him! Scary. Thank goodness for that lady and for Bradley not being intimidated into silence.

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  5. D: scaryyyyyy
    best to take the safe way now than risk it :o

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  6. D: thats awful. Thank God for the people like that lady - just goes to show there are good people as there are bad ones. Hopefully this incident won't affect him too badly.
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. Ohhh poor baby. How scary!!! Im glad he is ok.

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  8. I know that was scary and the situation was handled , but children who are over protected end up feeling less confident too. Thugs will prey on those who appear weak and timid.

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  9. That is terrible. As you said it could have been worse so it's good that he's not hurt. He'll be shook up for a while, looking over his shoulder that type of thing, but believe me, that'll pass and this wake up call will help him in the long run. Your son, like you, sounds very brave.

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  10. Good heavens! What a bloody bully hey. As you say thank goodness this did not end tragically. I am astounded at the missing children lists that grow each year. We are yet to find my moms uncle who has been missinh 2 weeks now. I hate violence man!

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  11. It is so sad that a boy of Bradley's age can't even feel safe walking home from school!

    I am very happy that nothing worse happened though.

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  12. That is a scary situation! I worry about the kids being put in danger at anytime. Thank goodness Bradley is safe and reacted appropriately and that there was someone around to witness what happened.

    Thank goodness bradley is safe.

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