John Walsh Almost Ran Me Over. My Bad

The John Walsh, who is most known as host of America's Most Wanted, but here at Parentopia we recognize him as a co-founder of The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and utterly dedicated children's advocate.

See this picture? John and Devra. Devra and John. Happy. Smiling. Neither of us suspecting what would happen next.

Shortly after this picture was taken I was walking across the parking lot, not paying any attention whatsoever to my surroundings, engrossed in converstation and felt a sharp tug at my sleeve from one of the women walking with me. I stopped, looked up and to my left as, John Walsh behind the wheel of a big SUV, was heading my way. I am deeply grateful to Chandra for pulling me back although I think we're the only ones who realized what had almost happened.

I'm not even sure John Walsh was aware of my pedestrian carelessness. (However had he had his window down, he would have heard me exclaim, "Holy Crap! That's John Walsh at the wheel! You just saved me from what could have been a very embarassing moment! Thank you!)

John wasn't barreling through a crowd of people or driving like a madman, he was testing a new system being offered by OnStar, the true purpose of our little intersection. Which, despite my little oversight was very safe. Everyone there was wearing protection. Seatbelts people. We were all wearing seatbelts!

I had been invited* to the OnStar/GM press conference and attended wearing both my DC Metro Moms Blog and Parentopia hats. John Walsh appeared at the event to endorse OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slow Down which is believed to be a potentially lifesaving service which could help protect children. According to Walsh,


1. If a vehicle is carjacked and there is a child in the car, the police will have the ability to locate the vehicle and slow it down with the help of OnStar advisors. Thus preventing a child from being abducted to a secondary location or just being left by the side of the road.


2. If police are chasing a stolen vehicle, OnStar advisors can slow the vehicle down, thus preventing a police chase from ending in tragedy. So something like this could be prevented.

Is the system sort of like Big Brother? In a way, it kinda is and there was a question from a New York Times reporter who expressed concern about exactly how the service would work if someone wanted to use the other OnStar services and did not want the SlowDown Service. The answer to that question is the SlowDown service has an "opt out," so you can still use the other OnStar services even if you choose not to participate in the SlowDown Service.

I did get to experience how the system works as Brian Armstead from XM Radio's AutoSense took the wheel and riding shotgun was On Wheels Washington Post columnist Warren Brown. I sat in the back because I forgot to bring my driver's license. (Note to self, when invited to a AUTO event, bring license. Duh.) As Brian gunned the engine, our OnStar representative explained that we would be simulating a situation where the car Brian was driving had been stolen by drug dealers and the police were in hot pursuit.

From the back seat I casually ask, "Did anyone remember to bring the crack?"

Our high speed chase lasted about 5 minutes. The OnStar system reduced the speed of the vehicle, a woman's voice spoke to Brian, informing him that the vehicle was being slowed down and he needed to pull over to a safe location and wait for law enforcement. I think in our collective mind we all expected, "Pull over, scumbag!" but it was more akin to Logan's Run in a stolen vehicle. Overall, we agreed the test drive indicates concept works and works smoothly.

As we walked across the parking lot, this time with me rotating my head like a barn owl, Warren introduced me to Vern Golf, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Precious Times Magazine. Vern generously gave me a copy of the magazine. Obviously I don't represent the demographic for the magazine, Black Christian Women, but given my degree from Grambling State University, I feel included in this community.

On my metro ride home, I read the magazine from cover to cover. There were some double takes by other riders. But not any different from Warren Brown's reaction to learning I earned my MSW here, nor the time I was at a coffee shop wearing my GSU alumni shirt and reading our book club selection "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," which spurred on a conversation with a man who kept staring at me and finally walked over to my table to say, "I'm tryin' to figure it all out" given the shirt, the book and my skin. Turns out he went to Howard. And then there was the time I was on a local panel of the National Hospice Foundation's Bereavement Teleconference where panelists represented a variety of faith communities and discussed how each responds to grief. As my credentials were announced, the AME minister seated next to me whipped his head around and then we all heard the moderator, "Let me explain Brother Jackson's whiplash..."

People often ask me what it was like to attend a primarily Black university, my answer is always the same, "It was wonderful and one of the best decisions I ever made." How can you not feel proud of being a part of a university community where the motto is "Everybody is Somebody?" As a social worker, I couldn't ask for a more perfect place to have on my vitae.

Which brings me back to the purpose of this post, hearing John Walsh speak was inspiring and I am glad I had the opportunity to meet him and learn about the OnStar Slowdown service. I have two wishes though, 1) the system didn't require a paid subscription and 2) it was available in every single car and not limited to GM/Saturn products.

My overall opinion is this service may be more useful in some areas of the country than others. For example I don't see The Huz's family living in rural Wyoming subscribing, but I do see my father being interested since he has experienced having one of these stolen when he lived in NYC.

While there are indeed unfortunate situations where a vehicle may be stolen with a child inside despite the best of intentions and obvious attempts to keep a child safe, ultimately kids should not be left alone in cars.

*Aviva and I are often approached by PR firms seeking our endorsement or a mention on our blog. We consider every solicitation carefully. Reason being is we only support services, products and events which are in agreement with our world view. Admittedly this makes us sound somewhat self-important and snotty, but integrity means a hell of a lot to both of us. The responsibility of being regarded as "expert" is one we both take seriously. We are committed to having consistent standards and this means putting our reputation behind products and services we can honestly, and without hesitation, recommend. I received no financial compensation for attending the OnStar event, but I did eat half a bagel, drank coffee and later ate a sandwich and drank a diet coke. The GM and PR folks were gracious and attentive hosts and I thank them for their invitation.