Oak Park police and District 97 school officials have received three reports of individuals attempting to talk to two teenagers walking in Oak Park Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a 13-year-old Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School student said she was walking southbound on the east side of Harlem Avenue approaching Chicago Avenue around 8 a.m. when a man walked past her and made a suggestive comment, according to statements from police and D97 Superintendent Al Roberts.
The girl said she saw the same man around the same time on Wednesday as she walked down Harlem Avenue near Paulina Street. This time, the man was in a white minivan, possibly a taxi, according to police. The man motioned her towards the vehicle as he drove past her on Paulina and turned south on Harlem.
Also on Wednesday, a 13-year-old boy told police he was walking west on Adams Street near Ridgeland Avenue toward Percy Julian Middle School when a woman driving a silver Dodge minivan stopped in traffic and offered him a ride. The boy declined and the woman was last seen traveling north on Ridgeland Avenue near Madison Street.
Letter to parents from District 97 Superintendent Al Roberts.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I was just made aware of a second incident that took place this morning at the corner of Chicago and Harlem. An individual pulled up alongside a student from Brooks and motioned her over to his vehicle. The student ignored the individual, walked away and immediately contacted her mother. Her mother then called the police, who are currently investigating the matter. The student arrived safely at school shortly after the incident took place.
There is currently no information available about the individual or vehicle involved in this incident. However, based on our conversation with the police, there is no reason to believe that this incident and the one involving the student from Julian are connected.
Please be assured that we will keep you informed should new information about either incident become available. In the meantime, I want to emphasize once again that we need your help keeping our community safe, and ask that you please take a few minutes to review the following safety procedures with your child(ren).
- Always try to walk in groups or with at least one other person.
- Walk on sidewalks and other open areas rather than alleys that have less visibility.
- Be aware of your surroundings and any strangers who are nearby.
- If you have a concern about another person near you, go to a neighbor’s house, find an adult to assist you, or go back to school.
- Never approach a vehicle unknown to you even if the occupant speaks to you.
- Yell loudly and run if you feel you are in danger.
- Be sure to tell your parents if something happens. Parents should contact the police and the school.
Thank you for your time and attention on this matter.
Sincerely,
Al Roberts
Superintendent
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