Parents Worry After Man Photographs Children at Island Park Elementary - Again

Parents on Mercer Island are worried about safety at a local child-care provider, after an unknown man was reportedly seen photographing children over the past two weeks at Island Park Elementary School.

An email from a parent with the subject line "Safety Issue at IP/Dragon Park" began circulating July 24, asking fellow parents who use the play ground and others with children at the Kids Co. at Island Park to "Keep an eye out" for a strange man photographing children on the Island Park Elementary school playground.

"A man was seen for the third time nonchalantly snapping photos of kids," stated the email. "He was seen holding the camera by his waste and discreetly snapping pictures of children playing in the park."

Mercer Island Police told Patch that they received a single report from Kids Co. staff on July 10 of a man standing near Island Park Elementary School and taking photographs of children, but officers were unable to locate the man when they arrived minutes later.

MIPD Cmdr. Dave Jokinen said Mercer Island patrol officers are well aware of the suspicious man and an increased number of police are visiting Island Crest Park, Deane's Children's Park and Island Park Elementary School. Jokinen said there was nothing illegal about taking pictures in public places, but he'd like to interview the man all the same.

"If people see that individual, give us a call and we'll speak with (him)," he said.

Here's the full email, with a description of the mysterious photographer:

"Friends

Today on Island Park play ground a man was seen for the third time nonchalantly snapping photos of kids.  He was seen holding the camera by his waste and discreetly snapping pictures of children playing in the park.  This has happened three times since the beginning of last week according to the parent who called it into the police and tried to follow him into Dragon Park.  All of the incidents have taken place at the Dragon Park and on the Island Park school playground.   The man is supposed to be under 6 feet tall and always wearing a baseball cap.  He looks to be between 30-35 years old. Today for the first time he brought a small fluffy white dog with brown spots.  

Please pass this on to your your friends so we can make sure that we keep our children safe!"

(Ed. Note: An earlier version of this story gave an incomplete description of the email warning parents and who wrote it, and has since been clarified.)