Reported stranger danger incident in Parkville was a misunderstanding, police say

It turns out that a reported stranger danger incident involving a Lakeview Middle School student on Tuesday was just a big misunderstanding, police said.

The Park Hill School District student said he was approached and offered a ride by a stranger, but the person actually was the boy’s neighbor trying to do a good deed, said Parkville Police Chief Kevin Chrisman.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon at Missouri 9 and Riverchase Lane in Parkville. The boy declined the man’s offer for a ride. Police increased patrols in the area before locating the driver, who explained what happened.

The neighbor said he told the boy that he had done paint work for the boy’s family. It is likely the boy did not recognize the neighbor and didn’t clearly hear or understand his offer for a ride, Chrisman said.

This story was originally published October 16, 2014 at 8:44 AM.