There have been three reports in Oak Park and one in Berwyn of possible attempts to lure children into cars since Oct. 21, according to a statement from the village.
A white male in his 40s or 50s was mentioned in all the reports, police said.
About 3:10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, a child was walking southbound on Harvey Avenue near Hatch School and reported that a man sitting in a vehicle attempted to start a conversation about a nearby dog.
On Monday, Oct. 24, about 7:30 a.m., a child reported a car following southbound on Ridgeland Avenue near Longfellow School and stopping to observe the playground before continuing on. An hour later, a child walking north in the 800 block of South Oak Park Avenue told police a car horn sounded and the driver asked if the child needed a ride.
Description of a white, older model four-door car was reported to police in the incidents on Oak Park Avenue and near Hatch School, said Oak Park Police Commander LaDon Reynolds. A black pickup truck was reported in the 700 block of Highland Avenue near Longfellow School, Reynolds said.
The Berwyn report occurred about 7:15 a.m. on Oct. 25 near Lincoln Middle School on 16th Street. A child said a man sitting in a parked vehicle asked for his help.
The children in all four incidents were a safe distance from the vehicles and immediately reported the events to school authorities.
Reynolds said none of the information police have received so far rises to the level of an actual offense, but it’s important to be pro-active in these situations.
Oak Park police have stepped up patrols along school walking routes and are asking anyone with information to call 708-386-3800 or email police@oak-park.us.
Anonymous tips can also be made at www.oak-park.us/police.