Three kids in Minneapolis on three separate days were nearly abducted by strangers last month, according to police reports. It set off alarm bells for parents across the city, especially as details came out about the attacks: one of the abductors forced a 16-year-old girl into her car and she had to fight him off with a knife, according to police. Now comes a community meeting to help parents calm their kids' nerves: Alison Feigh, who works as a community safety specialist with the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, will lead the 7 p.m. talk Oct. 13, a Thursday, at the St. Joan of Arc Gymnasium at 4537 Third Av. S.

The meeting will help parents who want to know how to talk to their children about personal safety without scaring them, according to a brochure advertising the meeting. Other topics: What works in abuse prevention education and what parents should teach their children to help them stay safer.

Minneapolis police and investigators will also be on hand to answer questions. For more information, contact Minneapolis crime prevention specialists Sue Roethele at 612-673-2839 or Karen Notsch at 612-673-2856.

The most recent abduction attempt took place Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. A 16-year-old girl told police she was walking in the 3200 block of N. 6th St. when a man driving a truck pulled up and tried to make her get in. She refused, and he got out of the truck and forced her in. They drove a short distance before she found a knife in the truck, fought off the man and escaped, according to police.

About 7:15 p.m. Sept. 15, a 12-year-old riding her bike near Todd Park at 56th Street and Chicago Avenue S. noticed a man in a van following her. She turned around and headed north on Elliot Avenue when her bike chain jammed. While she tried to fix it, the man pulled in front of her and ordered her into the van. The girl told police she ran through a nearby yard and the man drove through the alley.

Then, about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 26, a 14-year-old walking home from South High told police a man tried to abduct her on the 10th Avenue S. bridge over the Midtown Greenway. Police said she fought off the man and escaped.