This is a copy of a Facebook post by the Hernando County.Fl. Sheriff's Dept.
Now, it seems, we not only have to sorry about coronavirus, but also overprotective, crazed parents.


The HCSO has received numerous inquiries via telephone and social media regarding a Facebook post that was created by a citizen on 03-13-20 just before 11PM.
The title of the Facebook post was PLEASE READ AND BE AWARE – MY SON WAS ALMOST KIDNAPPED. The body of the lengthy post provided details regarding the “suspect” a “suspect vehicle” and many other things. The incident was said to have occurred at Pine Island Park earlier in the day.
Obviously, anyone reading this post, which was shared over 750 times, would be concerned.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis confirms that an Attempted Abduction DID NOT OCCUR at Pine Island Park, or at any other location.
The person who posted the information became alarmed upon observing what she believed was a Suspicious Person (male) in the park. The male was taking photos of the beach and the sunset. The male then began walking around the park and walked a little too close to her and her children. She immediately got between the male and her children (thinking he may try to take one of them or cause harm to her family). The male continued on his way toward the concession stand. The concerned mother left the park with her children.
Before leaving the park, she stopped to tell another mother that a Suspicious Person (said male) was walking in the park and she should be aware.
We are thankful this mom took appropriate action when she perceived danger, leaving the area and notifying another mom to be careful. As always, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant at all times and to call law enforcement if and when needed.
Deputies did locate the Suspicious Person the next day. He was merely at the park to take photos of the beach area and the sunset (he is from a northern state and doesn’t have a beach). He readily offered his phone to deputies to examine. The only photos of this area were of the beach and the beautiful sunset.

This is a copy of a Facebook post by the Hernando County.Fl. Sheriff's Dept.
Now, it seems, we not only have to sorry about coronavirus, but also overprotective, crazed parents.


The HCSO has received numerous inquiries via telephone and social media regarding a Facebook post that was created by a citizen on 03-13-20 just before 11PM.
The title of the Facebook post was PLEASE READ AND BE AWARE – MY SON WAS ALMOST KIDNAPPED. The body of the lengthy post provided details regarding the “suspect” a “suspect vehicle” and many other things. The incident was said to have occurred at Pine Island Park earlier in the day.
Obviously, anyone reading this post, which was shared over 750 times, would be concerned.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis confirms that an Attempted Abduction DID NOT OCCUR at Pine Island Park, or at any other location.
The person who posted the information became alarmed upon observing what she believed was a Suspicious Person (male) in the park. The male was taking photos of the beach and the sunset. The male then began walking around the park and walked a little too close to her and her children. She immediately got between the male and her children (thinking he may try to take one of them or cause harm to her family). The male continued on his way toward the concession stand. The concerned mother left the park with her children.
Before leaving the park, she stopped to tell another mother that a Suspicious Person (said male) was walking in the park and she should be aware.
We are thankful this mom took appropriate action when she perceived danger, leaving the area and notifying another mom to be careful. As always, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant at all times and to call law enforcement if and when needed.
Deputies did locate the Suspicious Person the next day. He was merely at the park to take photos of the beach area and the sunset (he is from a northern state and doesn’t have a beach). He readily offered his phone to deputies to examine. The only photos of this area were of the beach and the beautiful sunset.

1989 or 1990, driving through Yogoslavia on my way from Turkey to Belgium when I stopped for the night as I'd spotted a picturesque castle on a hill. Still enough light so got out my SLR with 70-210 zoom attached. Started taking photos, having to work to position myself so I could eliminate an ugly railroad bridge in the foreground. (Working in the defense industry, I am aware of what is off-limits).

Someone came up in a leather trenchcoat (really), spoke to me in a language I didn't understand, and it WASN'T a "soft" language. He didn't speak English, but flashed an ID card as CID. Clear I wasn't going anywhere.

Eventually uniformed police showed up to take me to a police station. Still longer for someone who spoke rudimentary English to show up.

My concern was that they would confiscate my film as I had a lot of photos from Turkey and Bulgaria.

Was questioned why I was taking pictures of bridges. Explained a number of times I wasn't talking bridge pictures but castle pictures, that I was working hard to keep the bridge out of the photos, it was an ugly modern bridge and the castle was historical, that I was merely a tourist passing through.

Eventually released and taken back to where I was detained with a warning of no more photos.

Left EARLY the next morning and drove straight through to Hungary without stopping. BIG relief when I crossed into Hungary.

On my way out of Yugoslavia, passed a number of military convoys including tanks on transporters. Obviously I didn't take any photos but did manage to buy a t-shirt with General Drago, Dragon (or some such) on it as a souvenir. In later years, he turned out to be a war criminal (according to the world, perhaps not to Serbs). In hindsight, with history, clear why they were so sensitive.