Worcester, New York is a small town in the eastern portion of Otsego County that shares a border with Schoharie County. It's the kind of place that might be associated with Norman Rockwell paintings or Sinclair Lewis novels, depending on what you subscribe to.

People who grew up in Worcester, especially during the latter half of the 20th century will tell you that it's the kind of place in which locking the doors of their homes or cars was unheard of. I first lived in Worcester 18 years ago, moved away, and came back in 2020. I was heartily laughed at for locking things up and called a city boy or flatlander for doing so.

It's also the kind of idyllic small town where children free ranged, running the streets and playing as they pleased until the sun went down, and it was time to return home.

Unfortunately, that peace was broken last night due to the announcement by Worcester Central School, referencing an alleged attempted child abduction.

The school's statement reads: