CPD Apologizes For Delay In Child Luring Report

CHICAGO, IL - A community alert of an attempted child luring incident in the city's West Beverly neighborhood was not issued until nine days after the incident was first reported to police, a situation police and elected officials are working to address.

The delay in publicizing the alert was referred to as an "oversight" by Chicago Police Department Chief of Detectives Melissa Staples, who apologized to residents of the 19th Ward in an email to Alderman Matt O'Shea.

"CPD detectives thoroughly investigated the incident, and in an attempt to identify the offender driving the vehicle, released a delayed community alert on April 23," Staples wrote. "While the time delay in this incident was an oversight, I take public notification seriously and the issue was addressed by my office directly."

On April 12, a 14-year-old girl was walking on 101st Street between Artesian and Campbell when a man in a car tried to get her to come with him. He is described as a black man, between 30-40 years old with black hair, a corn roll hair style and light complexion.

O'Shea, in an email to his constituents, said the delay in issuing the alert is "very concerning."

"While I always appreciate the Chicago Police Department's efforts to keep the community informed, the delay in issuing this alert is very concerning," he wrote.

"Moving forward, we can all do better, and my office will continue to work closely with the Police Department to share any information that they distribute as quickly as possible."

Patch file photo / Tim Moran