FAIRMONT– Following incidents regarding suspicious persons in Jackson and Windom, the Fairmont Police Department suggests people exercise caution when their children are out without an adult.

Fairmont Police Chief Michael Hunter said that the department receives numerous suspicious persons or suspicious activity calls throughout the year.

“Our officers try to get as much information as they can on each of them and investigates them thoroughly. Often times they end up to be nothing,” he said.

However, Hunter added that if something is of a concern with some of the behaviors reported, they take it very seriously.

“If someone is concerned with something, we encourage them to call the department or their local law enforcement agency and provide as much detail as they can,” Hunter said.

He said if someone is circling around in their vehicle, they could be lost, but they could also be looking for an opportunity such as a property crime.

“Mostly what we find is someone has a fairly valid reason for what they’re up to,” Hunter said.

Again, he said anyone who is concerned is welcome to call and they’ll check it out.

Both the Jackson and Windom Police Departments have recently put out notices to the public and Hunter said one of the commonalities among the reports is that the incidents involved children who weren’t with a parent being approached by an adult.

“Even though our youngsters want to be outside, we encourage parents to check in with them and know where they are, where they’re headed and what route they’re taking,” he said, adding that they encourage children to travel with friends, siblings or another adult.

Hunter said if there was a first-hand account that needed to be addressed in the community, the department would put it out immediately on its social media channels and through any other resource available.

He stressed that they want information out there, but also don’t want to cause additional concern without a basis for it.

“If people are concerned and something doesn’t seem right, give us a call and we’ll check it out,” Hunter said.

The non-emergency line for the Fairmont Police Department is 507-238-4481.