Clarkston Community Schools sent out an email on April 23 of a “stranger danger” incident that occurred April 22 in the area of Middle Lake and Paramus roads.
A female student was approached, while running, by a man in an unmarked white Ford transit van, no markings and tinted windows. The man exited the van and approached the student, asking questions in reference to the United States Armed Services.
He was approximately six feet tall, freshly shaven and dressed in a full camouflage suit with no patches or insignia of any kind.
The student ran away, and the stranger returned to the van and remained parked on the street.
In an official statement from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, detectives made contact with and confirmed the identity of the person thought to be a suspicious person. The subject was a U.S. Army recruiter handing out business cards for military recruiting purposes.
In addition, statements were taken from all reporting citizens and there was no evidence of criminal activity or inappropriate behavior.
“The primary responsibility of our recruiters is outreach to young Americans to share the many opportunities the Army has to offer,” added Kenneth C. Jacobs, chief of advertising and public affairs for the Great Lakes Army Recruiting Battalion. “This is accomplished through face-to-face interactions, social media, high school presentations, texting and telephone calls focused on high school juniors and seniors as well as graduates.
“The Great Lakes Army Recruiting Battalion shares in the concerns of the public and the Clarkston Community Schools and how this interaction with one of our recruiters was perceived. We extend our deepest apologies to the young lady involved, her family and the Clarkston Community Schools. The safety of our community is a shared priority, and we will review our recruiting policies and procedures concerning face-to-face prospecting to alleviate any future misunderstandings.”