My sister posted on FB that schools were on lockdown today. Press releases
Press Release-Suspicious Armed Subjects
On February 15th, 2018 at approximately 7:39 a.m. we received several reports (calls and officers being flagged down) of two male subjects (initially stated as possibly juveniles 13-17 yrs old) walking in the area of Mulberry Avenue and Brown Street while carrying guns. One was described as carrying a rifle or shotgun and the other was carrying a handgun. Both were described as white males, one was described with long hair and wearing a yellow shirt, black jacket and blue jeans and the other subject wearing an orange shirt with a holster on his hip. The subjects were later advised to be in their early 20’s.
Our Officers flooded the area and continued to receive reports from citizens about the two subjects. We had already had Officers patrolling the schools given the events yesterday in Florida. We continued to search the area, but were unable to locate the two subjects. It is possible/likely that the subjects went inside a house. Because the initial call indicated these subjects were in the vicinity of Fegely Middle School we are treating this as credible concern to our schools.
We contacted Portage Township Schools as well as the local private schools (Nativity and Portage Christian School) and had them placed on a soft lockdown. We called in our afternoon Patrol Officers and have an Officer stationed at each school. The Indiana State Police offered their assistance and we asked them to sit at Paul Saylor Elementary and South Haven Elementary. Burns Harbor Police is also providing assistance.
Again, because we do not know what, if any intentions these subjects had we are ensuring that our schools are safe and that staff, parents, and student’s minds can rest a little easy knowing that we are out there.
Chief Troy J. Williams
Update
So 2 idiots thought it would be fun to walk with airsoft (no orange tips) past a school right after a school shooting. Not illegal but very stupid!
Press Release-Suspicious Armed Subjects
On February 15th, 2018 at approximately 7:39 a.m. we received several reports (calls and officers being flagged down) of two male subjects (initially stated as possibly juveniles 13-17 yrs old) walking in the area of Mulberry Avenue and Brown Street while carrying guns. One was described as carrying a rifle or shotgun and the other was carrying a handgun. Both were described as white males, one was described with long hair and wearing a yellow shirt, black jacket and blue jeans and the other subject wearing an orange shirt with a holster on his hip. The subjects were later advised to be in their early 20’s.
Our Officers flooded the area and continued to receive reports from citizens about the two subjects. We had already had Officers patrolling the schools given the events yesterday in Florida. We continued to search the area, but were unable to locate the two subjects. It is possible/likely that the subjects went inside a house. Because the initial call indicated these subjects were in the vicinity of Fegely Middle School we are treating this as credible concern to our schools.
We contacted Portage Township Schools as well as the local private schools (Nativity and Portage Christian School) and had them placed on a soft lockdown. We called in our afternoon Patrol Officers and have an Officer stationed at each school. The Indiana State Police offered their assistance and we asked them to sit at Paul Saylor Elementary and South Haven Elementary. Burns Harbor Police is also providing assistance.
Again, because we do not know what, if any intentions these subjects had we are ensuring that our schools are safe and that staff, parents, and student’s minds can rest a little easy knowing that we are out there.
Chief Troy J. Williams
Update
UPDATE of earlier Press Release-Suspicious Armed Subjects
We have located the two individuals from our earlier post. These subjects, both believed to be at least 18 years of age thought it would be a good idea to walk to the woods with Air Soft guns to shoot at targets.
They appeared to have had no ill intentions, however one was arrested for False Informing and the other subject is being brought back to the Portage Police Department for further questioning. We have recovered and confiscated their Air Soft guns. See the attached picture.
Today/Tonight would be a good time to have a conversation about being aware of events in America and that our actions have consequences.
We know this incident likely filled the community, school staff, parents and students with some anxiety, concern and maybe even a little fear.
We also want you to know that yours schools were on point with their safety protocols and your Police Department sparred no resource or effort to bring as quick a resolution as possible to this situation while keeping the community updated.
Chief Troy Williams
We have located the two individuals from our earlier post. These subjects, both believed to be at least 18 years of age thought it would be a good idea to walk to the woods with Air Soft guns to shoot at targets.
They appeared to have had no ill intentions, however one was arrested for False Informing and the other subject is being brought back to the Portage Police Department for further questioning. We have recovered and confiscated their Air Soft guns. See the attached picture.
Today/Tonight would be a good time to have a conversation about being aware of events in America and that our actions have consequences.
We know this incident likely filled the community, school staff, parents and students with some anxiety, concern and maybe even a little fear.
We also want you to know that yours schools were on point with their safety protocols and your Police Department sparred no resource or effort to bring as quick a resolution as possible to this situation while keeping the community updated.
Chief Troy Williams
So 2 idiots thought it would be fun to walk with airsoft (no orange tips) past a school right after a school shooting. Not illegal but very stupid!