Sumner residents are being warned to watch for a black man in his mid-20s allegedly exposing himself to girls in the city.

According to a press release from the city of Sumner, the man exposed himself asked girls over to his car to ask for directions and then exposed himself to them. Both incidents occurred in the early evening hours.

A third incident occurred in Puyallup, just outside Sumner city limits, when he exposed himself to joggers.

The man is described as a black man in his mid-20s with a thin build. He is clean-shaven and was wearing military-style fatigues. He drives a small, four-door red compact car, possibly a Ford Focus or similar vehicle.

The Sumner School District released a statement warning parents that though these incidents have not occurred on school grounds or during school hours, staff has been alerted and students are being reminded of the importance of following safe routes to school.

The district offers the following advice for parents to remind their children:

• Grown ups should not ask children for directions, they should ask other adults;

• Always take a friend when walking or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop;

• If anyone bothers them, makes them feel scared or uncomfortable trust their feelings and immediately get away from that person; and

• It is OK not to be polite and it is OK to say no.

Sumner Police are investigating the incidents and are asking anyone with information to call police at 253.863.6384. Anyone spotting suspicious behavior should call 911 right away. Parents and guardians may want to remind children and teenagers not to approach cars or talk to strangers no matter how harmless or innocent the situation appears.