Three women have been assaulted at separate Overland Park parks since August, and police are deploying extra officers on the city's trail system in response.

The attacks occurred at Wilderness Lake Park on Aug. 8, Rosehill East Park on Sept. 10 and near Nall Park on Oct. 19, according to an Overland Park Police Department news release issued Wednesday, Oct. 21. In each case, a man approached a woman from behind, police said. As we reported Oct. 22, police do not believe the incidents are connected.

The first two women were pushed to the ground. Neither reported injuries, theft or sexual assault, according to the Kansas City Star. The Oct. 19 incident near Nall Park at 104th Street and Nall Avenue was initially classified as a sexual assault, but Officer John Lacy, an Overland Park Police Department spokesperson, told KCTV5 that classification is still under investigation.

No suspects are in custody. Police have only a vague suspect description in each case, and there are no cameras on the trails, KCTV5 reported.

Lacy said the department is adding patrol officers to the trails, including officers on bicycles and plainclothes officers who may blend in with the public. Officers will cover morning, afternoon and late evening hours, according to the Kansas City Star..

Lacy told KCTV5 the department still considers the trails safe but wants to address the incidents. He urged trail users to stay vigilant and call 911 if they see suspicious activity.

Self-defense tips

Dave Johnson, an instructor at Gracie's Jiu Jitsu in Overland Park who has taught self-defense for 50 years, shared safety advice with KMBC in response to the assaults.

Because all three attacks came from behind, Johnson said anyone grabbed that way should seize the attacker's wrists and drop into a low stance. Lowering your center of gravity makes it harder for an attacker to strike or lift you, he said.

"The base, the control is the most important," Johnson told KMBC.

Johnson also stressed situational awareness: stay off your phone, skip the headphones and pay attention to your surroundings.

Kim Burdalski, a regular trail walker in the area, told KCTV5 the assaults changed how she uses the trails. She said she will no longer walk into wooded areas alone.

Residents with information about any of the three assaults can call Overland Park police at 913-344-8750 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.