A large police presence that saw a section of downtown Barrie closed for more than seven hours ended up being a false alarm, according to police officials.
Barrie Police Service got a call around midnight on Thursday about an alleged weapon in an apartment unit located on Dunlop Street W., between Mary and Toronto Streets.
“It was a weapons call that we initially responded to … and that’s why we secured the area and continued with the investigation throughout the course of the day,” said Peter Leon, the department’s communications coordinator.
Police conducted a very “thorough and detailed investigation,” however, it was ultimately determined that misinformation was received, he noted.
“Our officers did what they had to do in the interest of public safety, but through the course of the investigation it was determined that the accuracy of the information that was initially received was not as reported,” Leon told BarrieToday this morning.
In the interest of public safety, residents in nearby units were relocated temporarily during the course of the investigation, Leon said.
“When we receive information like that, we have to act accordingly. We did what we had to do. In the end, it was determined that it was inaccurate information."
The road was reopened around 7:30 a.m. and investigators entered the apartment in question again shortly after 8 a.m., Leon said.
“The investigation continued throughout the course of the day, with it concluding with a confirmation that there was inaccurate information received.”
