Georgetown Pike has become the beaten path for hundreds of Langley students over the years as they walk to school from the church, Langley Oaks, or their homes. However, familiar to these routes students may be, safety should still remain a top priority.
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 am, a 16- year- old Oakton High School student was walking to school along Blake Lane, and was approached by a strange man, asking her to get into his car. She refused, and he forcibly tried to push her towards his vehicle. She was lucky enough to get away. Still, the incident is raising awareness throughout the area.
Last spring, Langley endured a security scare of its own, with the incident involving indecent exposure. On multiple occasions, a man was spotted along Georgetown Pike and the neighboring streets exposing himself or sitting in his car without clothes- on one occasion he followed a girl home from school.
Soon after, Langley administrators and security team were walking along Georgetown Pike to ensure the safety of students. The exposer was caught, but the similar situation at Oakton has brought up past concerns. “It’s scary to think how possible it is for those things to happen at school,” said junior Anna Pope.
According to Mr. Don Gotthardt, the Public Information Officer for the Fairfax County Police, the school has issued whistles out to Oakton students, and their patrol officers and security team are “maintaining a high visibility presence in and around the school.”
“School hasn’t changed all that much, but it scares me that something like that could happen,” said Oakton High School student Mimi Dabestani, “that one of my friends or myself could just be abducted. It makes you wonder how safe you really are at school. I just always remind myself to be aware of my surroundings,” she said.
The Oakton suspect is described as a male Hispanic, mid 20s, between 5’ 6″-5’ 9″, thin, with short black hair and piercings on one eyebrow and left ear. The car was described as a white subcompact car with a “Baby on Board” sign in the window.
Police are urging students to call in with tips to 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or to go to www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org with any information, but to never compromise safety in order to gather information.