An alarming safety alert was issued by the Berkeley Police Department after a concerning incident on March 4 involving an attempted kidnapping of a local elementary school student. The student from Ruth Acty Elementary School was approached by an unknown suspect in a white van or SUV after school while walking on Rose Street. According to a release on the Berkeley Public Schools website, the student wisely did not enter the vehicle and ran home safely.

In response to this disturbing event, the Berkeley Police Department is actively investigating the occurrence. It has asked Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) staff to maintain vigilance, especially when students are en route to or from their educational sanctuaries. The announcement, attributed to Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel, encourages community members to call 911 if they witness any incident involving a suspicious vehicle that threatens students' safety.

The authorities have advised students who feel they may be followed, suggesting to head towards the nearest crowded place and contact 911 immediately. The superintendent's message made accessible via Berkeley Public Schools' official website, also emphasizes certain safety practices for children walking to and from school, such as staying with a group, never accepting rides or gifts from strangers, and the importance of immediately reporting any suspicious individual lingering near schools to a trusted adult.