Fake School Bus Driver Tries Luring Kids To Get Inside Unmarked Vehicle

A fake school bus driver is running around a school district in Long Island trying to coax kids to get inside. The West Islip School District has sent a letter out warning students and parents about the bogus bus, which is an unmarked mini-bus with a female driver in it. She was reportedly driving along Higbie Lane near Westbrook Elementary School, New York Daily News reports.

The fake school bus driver apparently encouraged two students to “come on the bus” while they were walking home from class Friday afternoon, officials say. Both students avoided boarding the vehicle and continued walking.

According to the report, the woman is described as being “soft-spoken” and between the age of 20 to 30. She was seen wearing a hat that resembled a police officer’s. The fake school bus had a light pink star — or flower — painted on the rear door

The Suffolk County police are investigating the bus driver incident.

Last year in Washington state, Battle Ground School District dealt with the same type of situation, AOL reported at the time. A fake school bus driver was roaming around asking kids if they wanted a ride. As per the district’s policy with students riding buses, they don’t ask them if they need a ride. Designated areas and times are assigned to students each year for pick up, so it was obvious that a phony bus was trying to lure kids inside.

In the memo that was released by the school district, it outlined bus safety rules. For one, students are to only board the bus at the place and time of pick up. They are to make sure that the bus they ride has their number on it. If they feel the need, parents should ask bus drivers for identification. Lastly, they should make sure that the buses clearly have the name of the school district on the side of them. Specific markings should be present, so students should never consider getting on a bus that has none of these signs.

Fortunately, none of the kids approached by these buses were made victims of any horrible crimes. Those who reported being offered rides refused them and went about their day. In today’s world, a lot of people who want to hurt children try finding clever ways to con them into doing what they want.

It’s a sad state of affairs when people stoop to using a phony bus or make themselves a fake school bus driver in order to kidnap children.

[Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images]