An Akron Beacon Journal article written by Teresa Cottom dated October 11, 2017, describes the hair-raising account of an Akron couple who witnessed a \u201cmysterious white drone\u201d attempt to lure children off the playground. Of course, the drone had no will or intent of its own, but the same cannot be said for its operator.<\/p>\n
A popular saying from the past described community engagement for our young: it takes a village to raise a child. That statement is as true today as it was back then, unfortunately many of our communities just aren\u2019t safe enough for children to explore without adult supervision. Can we ever go back to the days when they were?<\/p>\n
Since Monday, an Akron couple hasn\u2019t seen the mysterious white drone flying over their house in the city\u2019s Ellet neighborhood.<\/p>\n
But just last week, they said a drone was trying to lure children \u2014 including their own \u2014 off of the playground at Windemere Community Learning Center, right next to their home.
\nNow, Akron Public Schools is warning parents about the possible suspicious drone flying around the school.<\/p>\nWindemere Principal Megan Lee-Wilfong sent a letter to families Monday saying a neighbor had reported a drone with \u201cvoice technology\u201d talking to children who were playing on school grounds in the evenings and over the weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you are allowing your child to come to school to play in the evenings or on the weekends, please make sure that he\/she is accompanied by an adult. I know that children playing at school would seem safe, but without adequate adult supervision, anything can happen,\u201d Lee-Wilfong wrote in the letter.<\/p>\n
Lois and Michael M. \u2014 who didn\u2019t want their last name printed for privacy reasons \u2014 said they reported the incident.<\/p>\n
Michael M. said his kids are at the playground nearly every day. Two weeks ago, his two 13-year-old sons, Gavin and Jacen, said they started seeing a small white drone flying over the playground.
\nThe kids said the drone talked to them in a computerized voice from what looked like a built-in speaker.<\/p>\n\u201cIt keeps saying \u2018hey\u2019 until you reply,\u201d Jacen said.<\/p>\n
The drone showed up sporadically above the playground multiple times two weeks ago. But last week, Gavin and Jacen said they saw the drone with their friends every day in the evening. Michael and Lois M. said they heard it, too.<\/p>\n
Gavin and Jacen said their friends said \u201cwhat\u201d back to the drone, and the drone told them to follow it.<\/p>\n
Michael M. said one of the children actually did. The child, one of Gavin\u2019s and Jacen\u2019s friends, started following the drone down the street to Dollar Tree, where the drone voice said it was going.<\/p>\n
Michael M. said the child\u2019s father happened to see him walking down the street and stopped the child before he got to Dollar Tree.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe got lucky,\u201d Michael M. said. \u201cWho knows where he would be right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
After that, Michael and Lois M. reported the incident to the school on Friday. Lois said Lee-Wilfong \u201cmoved really quick,\u201d addressing the issue when the school opened on Monday.<\/p>\n
Schools spokesman Mark Williamson stressed that the drone has not been spotted during school hours and school officials have not seen it.<\/p>\n
Akron police spokesman Rick Edwards said police haven\u2019t received any complaints about a drone moving suspiciously or talking to children near the school.<\/p>\n
He urged people to contact authorities if they see a suspicious drone, but also noted that it\u2019s not illegal to fly drones.<\/p>\n
Source: https:\/\/www.ohio.com\/akron\/news\/local\/akron-schools-alerts-parents-about-suspicious-drone<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Possibilities for Consideration: Safe Communities?<\/h2>\n
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- What if we could introduce a grassroots approach to community ownership?<\/li>\n
- What if our children could learn how to think, rather than learn what to think?<\/li>\n
- What if we could nurture an understanding of and symbiosis with technology, rather than fanning the flames of fear?<\/li>\n
- What if, instead of hate, fear and distrust, we could build communities founded in trust, love and principles?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Add Your Insight: Welcome Collaboration<\/h2>\n
The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.<\/em><\/strong>
\nB.F. SKINNER<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"