Three Austin schools are warning parents about men driving around the schools in a white van. All three schools are in Southwest Austin.

KVUE News

School officials advised parents to talk to their children about safety.

The extra police patrols around Kiker Elementary sent a clear message: A report of strangers around three schools will not be ignored.

But AISD Police Lt Eric Mendez also offered a few words of caution.

"I don't want to call it a threat. I want think it is more of a precautionary measure," said Lt. Mendez.

All of the extra security made for a slightly different walk home on Friday. Thursday, students were not allowed to leave campus alone without a parent.

"I could not wait, to find out if there was a confirmed danger, so, because the kids were in my care, and I wanted to make sure they were safe. There were decisions I made, sort of as a parent," Kiker Principal Lori Schneider said.

Schneider, along with Principals from Clayton and Mills Elementary schools, sent a letter to parents.

It stated that three men were spotted near the schools driving a white van with Georgia plates. Parents were advised to talk to their children about safety.

"I feel like everything was taken care of very well, and I feel safe and secure," said Gina Bench. But she and other parents also say they will not let their guard down.

"It is always scary thinking there is somebody thinking, that might want to take a child," Bench said.

There are no reports the three men tried to grab a child. And that according to Lt Mendez is part of the problem.

"We don't know exactly why they are in the neighborhood, legitimate business, it could be door to door salesmen, it could be somebody looking for side jobs, it could be someone actually trying to gain interest in criminal activity, we just don't know."

Not knowing is why the school day was dominated by extra lessons on stranger dangers.