Parents on alert: Man allegedly flashes schoolgirl in West Seattle

SEATTLE -- It is a new school year, but, unfortunately, there is an old problem in West Seattle.

Just four days in and already someone is exposing himself near a West Seattle school.

"I just don't want our kids exposed to sick individuals. You try so hard to protect your kids and put them into a good environment and then these people come along,” parent Jody Maas said.

The latest incident happened Monday near the playground at Holy Rosary School.

An 11-year-old girl says a heavyset white man who appeared to be about 30 years old got out of a silver minivan or full-size SUV and was naked from the waist down.

"You know that there's no coincidence that it's the first week of school and this person is at the playground. They know what they are doing,” Maas said.



But this problem isn't a new one.

This is the seventh reported flashing near a school in West Seattle in just the last year.

Along with Holy Rosary, it's happened at Hope Lutheran, at the Westside School and at Denny Middle.

"Obviously I'm concerned for the safety of the students. We have three schools in two blocks of each other, so that's important to keep our kids safe,” parent Jeanne Flohr said.

Police say that, with the beginning of school, it is a good idea to have a stranger-danger conversation with your children, even if you've had the conversation before.

"Teaching your kids basically what to do, so just scream, run away. Get to a safe location. If they have a cell phone, call 911. Call a parent,” Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt said.

Parents still express confidence in their school.

"I still feel safe here. We have a great school. We have a lot of great staff looking out for our kids,” Maas said.

If you saw the man or know anything about this crime, call 911.