Personally, I don't really feel the heat these guys mention and yes, I would help a lost child.  I also think it's just prudent to follow some of the two-person rules mentioned in the article.  While there are a lot of wonderful individuals that get involved in these organizations, I'm sure that predators do too because it brings them closer to the children.

Not to digress too much, but things have certainly changed.  I remember, as a child growing up in the rural south, being off in the woods with a shotgun at 12 years old.  I was alone, and my grandmother's only admonishment was to be back in time for dinner.  Neighbors - while a couple of miles apart - would stop and chat when they came across each other at the fenceline of the farm.  Now I live in a neighborhood where I can hit 4 houses with a medium strength rock throw and I don't even know their names.  I wonder if that has anything to do with our lack of trust for each other now.

No real questions here I suppose.  Just reading and rambling with the first coffee of the day.