WFAA-TV

PLANO — Thousands of proud but unsuspecting North Texas parents could be giving child molesters vital information about their children.

Plano police are issuing this warning: Do not display your kids' names on your cars or trucks.

Police said the problem is with decals that proudly tout a child's accomplishments—cheerleading squad, drill team, football team—right along with their names and sometimes uniform numbers.

Officers said parents who willingly display their childrens' names are taking a risk and flirting with danger.

"I'm proud of my girls and all that they've accomplished in their sports," said Cheryl Kitzkow of Frisco, who has the names of her three daughters emblazoned on the rear window of her sport utility vehicle.

But with so many sexual predators in the community, Carrollton mom Stephanie Smith said parents who make it easy for criminals to identify their kids are asking for trouble.

"I wouldn't tell anyone my child's name who didn't need to know it," Smith said. "Today—when we can't even let our kids play outside by themselves—why would you want to put your kid's name out on your car?"

Plano police Sgt. Jermy Watney said having that name can give a potential predator the upper hand. "If they're at a soccer game, and they see a kid get out of a car, and they know that kid's name is Mike, they can walk up to that kid and introduce themselves."

Sgt. Watney said the child could conclude that the stranger is a family friend or a coach. "So their guard is going to be let down," he said.

Cheryl Litzkow is rethinking her decision to express her parental pride by using decals.

"I never really thought about that, but it's a great point, and it's making me upset right now," she said. "I want to go rip them off."

Yard signs with a child's name can pose an even bigger potential problem, police said. The people who might want to hurt your child can learn his or her first name and find out where they live at the same time.

Police said stickers depicting teams or organizations are OK, as long as they don't include the names or numbers of participants.

E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com