Police in Kotzebue react to false weapon threat

Updated: 16 Some minutes ago Published: 16 Some minutes ago

The Kotzebue Police Department and Alaska State Troopers responded to a false report of a gun threat on Otter Street Monday morning, a city statement said.

An anonymous caller contacted police at 9:28 a.m. and said armed people had surrounded his house with the intention of killing him, city officials said.

Three police officers and two patrol officers from Kotzebue were dispatched at 9:36 a.m. and secured the area by 9:46 a.m., Kotzebue Police Chief Roger Rouse said. The caller had originally provided the wrong address, so officers cleared two locations: one in the 600 block of Caribou Street and another on Otter Street, Rouse said.

When officers arrived, they concluded that no one had threatened the caller, the city said.

The problem was resolved at 10:11 a.m. and all units left the scene at 10:30 a.m., Rouse said.

“Officers securing the perimeter and searching the area advised vehicles and pedestrians to avoid the area,” Rouse said. “A lockdown was not necessary as there were no visible or immediate threats.”

City officials urged residents with mental health concerns to contact Maniilaq Behavioral Health Services at (907) 442-7640, Alaska Behavioral Health at 988 or the Alaska Care Line at (877) 266-4357.