It’s the dateline that grabs you.

We have become all too accustomed to seeing these stories in Chester, and Upper Darby, and Darby Borough.

But it’s becoming pretty clear that crime no longer respects any borders.

A community in Bethel Township is on edge this morning after the attempted abduction of a schoolgirl right outside her house.

The girl was waiting for a bus in the Trotter’s Lea development when she says a man all dressed in black, and brandishing a knife, leaped out of the bushes and accosted her.

At the time she was the only child at the bus stop, just before 7 a.m.
on Monday.

Luckily for her, the bus came around the corner and the man fled.

Now the hunt is on for the suspect. Police yesterday were in the neighborhood passing out fliers and telling neighbors what they needed to know.

On Monday the Garnet Valley School District also used its phone chain to alert the community to the attack.

Police talked to at least one suspect but later released him.

In the meantime, a community that no doubt considered itself far from the problems of so many towns is now wondering just how safe it really is.

Police are urging anyone with information on the case to contact Bethel Township Police Department at 610-558-0929.

Oh, and be careful out there. Regardless of where you live.