Traumafession:: Rob M. on a Classic PSA

Probably my greatest trauma happened every day just before the ten o'clock news. I grew up in the late 70's/80's in the NYC suburbs. During this time, there was a lot of real life horror (Stranger Danger, Toxic Tylenol, Satanic Panic, Son of Sam, child abductions, AIDS, Drugs, Cold War etc). But I digress… imagine being in this environment and unexpectedly before every ten o'clock news intro… a still motion shot of a lone child riding a bike on a deserted side street illuminated by a street lamp. Then comes the voice over -> "It's 10pm. Do you know where your children are?" The person who provided the voiceover was the great Lou Steele. He was known as "The Creep" btw. I'd have to run out of the room every time it came on. The reason it scared me was because of the images it conjured in my head. "Does this person know something?" "Geez, kids are getting snapped up left and right". "Why do parents need to be reminded to check on their children?" And ultimately reminded me of the infamous "Have you checked the children?" from When a Stranger Calls. The spot, the voiceover and the current social climate all made this a fearful moment of my youth. They later added another spot at 7pm which asked the question "Have you hugged your child today?" That also felt kind of creepy too… just the idea that parents needed a reminder.

Thanks,
Rob