School Officials Say No Threat After Students Approached

Anne Arundel County Public School officials sought to ease concerns over student safety following reports of young people being approached while walking home from school this week. 

The school system said a police investigation revealed there is no threat to student safety. 

On Tuesday, the principal at Crofton Middle School distributed a letter to parents relaying reports from students who said they were approached by someone in a white van in the areas of Laconia Court, Nantucket Drive, Chapman Farms, and Walden. 

A student also reported being approached on Regents Park Road on Wednesday afternoon from men in a white van asking for directions, according to an email forwarded to Patch from several parents.

Police subsequently investigated the reports and found no suspicious activity. 

School and police officials said they interviewed the person and determined he was a painter in the area and did not pose a danger. 

"Police have closed this investigation and do not believe there is any threat to children at this point," the school system said on its Facebook page. 

School officials reiterated, however, that students should be aware of their surroundings and report anything unusual to a responsible adult.