City, state and law enforcement officials have asked that all residents remain inside and Newton businesses stay closed due to the developing search for the remaining suspect in the Marathon bombing. The MBTA is not running.
ALERT: Stay inside
by Greg Reibman | Apr 19, 2013 | Newton | 4 comments
We just got a robocall from Police Chief Mintz with the same information. Also, don’t open your doors to anyone but credentialed officers.
Here’s the text of that message..
Dear Resident,
While a search is in progress for the 2ndBoston Marathon bombing suspect, Newton residents are urged to follow the advice of Massachusetts officials and stay INDOORS until you receive further instructions.
Newton businesses are ALSO asked to remain closed until further notice.
The MBTA is completely shut down in the greater Boston area so please DO NOT DRIVE, WALK OR CONGREGATE AT ANY LOCAL MBTA STATIONS.
THIS SUSPECT IS ARMED AND DANGEROUS. DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOORS TO ANYONE EXCEPT UNIFORMED PERSONNEL WITH CITY IDENTIFICATION CARDS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, PLEASE LIMIT THE USE OF 9-1-1 CALLS FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES ONLY, AS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL WILL VERY BUSY OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO YOUR LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Thank you.
Chief Howard Mintz
Newton Police Department
I had just got back from two weeks down south and was heading to the Y at 5:15 AM listening to WBUR’s evolving coverage of last night’s events. I knew the second guy had escaped and I figured he was less than a mile and a half from the Y parking lot. That alone made me think that it might be a good idea to suspend my morning ritual of a pre-workout morning coffee in that same parking lot. Over the radio, state and local officials were asking businesses to shut down and advising people to stay inside. So I turned around and went home. I can’t believe this is all happening.
Important to note that this is not only for your safety but also to keep vehicles off the street so that law enforcement can respond quickly.
I knew something was up when I got home from City Hall last night and police cars whizzed up Route 16 toward Watertown with lights on no siren. Eventually fell asleep in front of the TV watching live coverage from Cambridge and Watertown.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the slain MIT police officer as well as with the MBTA police officer who was shot and rushed to hospital.
This is so real and so close to home. Best advice I have seen on the social media is “Keep Wicked Calm and Carry the Hell On.”