RAMAPO — On Feb. 13, the Ramapo Police Department received a report from a concerned parent about an interaction at a school bus stop in Airmont.
The parent said a male motorist, driving a white SUV, stopped at the bus stop and offered a ride to her daughter.
The student declined, and the vehicle drove away.
Ramapo officers and detectives launched an investigation, reviewing video footage, license plate reader data, DMV records, and other investigative techniques.
Detectives identified the driver as a male resident of Airmont.
The subject was interviewed and stated that due to the cold temperatures, he offered the student a ride to school, as he had done in the past within his community without incident.
After discussing the situation with officers, he acknowledged that this could be viewed as concerning in today’s climate.
Detectives strongly suggested he not offer this type of assistance under these circumstances going forward.
The driver’s account matched the student’s statement that a white SUV approached, and the driver asked if she needed a ride to school.
She declined, and he drove away.
Detectives, collaborating with the law enforcement intelligence community, confirmed no previous reports of similar incidents involving the subject.
There is no provision in New York State law that would have authorized officers to make a probable cause arrest based on the specific facts and circumstances of this case.
On Friday, Ramapo Police officers were present at the bus stop, supplemented by the department’s DFR Unmanned Aerial System, which serves as a force multiplier for public safety.
The department will continue to patrol school bus stops as a routine police function.
The incident may serve as an opportunity for parents and guardians to speak to their children about school bus stop safety and “stranger-danger” in general.
As of today, the Ramapo Police Department has conducted 1,345 self-initiated school-related checks this year, reflecting an increase of approximately 2.5 percentage points compared to the same period last year.
This total includes checks of school buses and school bus stops.
