UPDATE: Strange Vehicles in the QC Luring Kids [NEW CASES REPORTED and SAFETY TIPS]

The situation went from 'high-alert' to 'need to talk with your kids today' in light of new information.

In my blog yesterday, I reported two, strange incidences in Iowa that happened two nights ago. A suspicious white van roaming the outskirts of Bluegrass, IA.and a white male in a red car approaching a child at an elementary school in Bettendorf, IA.

Last night, I saw a news story, reporting in Bettendorf, a red vehicle approached a young child on a bike in a residential neighborhood.

According to KWQC.com,

"A Bettendorf neighborhood is on edge after a report of attempted luring of a young girl. Police say a 7-year-old girl was riding her bike Wednesday on her street when she was approached by a man in a vehicle asking her to go to his house. That girl’s mother worked quickly to spread the word of caution."

"Police say it happened near the intersection of Crow Lake Drive and Westminster Road. The girl told officers the man was driving a smaller red SUV/crossover type vehicle with possibly a bike rack/luggage rack on top. The male was described as a white male, fair skin, lighter brown to blonde hair in his late teens to early 20’s."

Then today, a white, suspicious van shows up in southwest Rock Island County, roaming around Andalusia. Could it be related to the one spotted in Blue Grass, IA.? It could. We are only a bridge away.

This Facebook post from a concerned mother popped up today:

Here are a few tips for parents and kids in having the 'stranger danger' talks we need to be having now with our kids in the Quad Cities area.

A great resources with a ton of parent and kid-friendly information is KidPower.org. It's worth clicking on and watching the videos there, too. This is too important right now not to.

From the site, here are a few ways to talk and listen to your kids about strangers.

1. Teach kids to get help if anything seems unsafe.

2. Use the word ‘stranger’ calmly and accurately so kids understand more and worry less.

3. Make and practice safety plans for getting help.

4.Help younger kids practice how to ‘Move Away and Check First.’

5. Help older kids and teens practice how to ‘Think First.’

Here's a video you can share with your kids: