For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford, N.H. Police Statement on Use of IPAWS Alert System

BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski issues the following statement on behalf of the Bedford Police Department:

“On Monday evening, a multi-jurisdictional police pursuit entered the community of Bedford, with Manchester and New Hampshire State Police attempting to apprehend a dangerous suspect who was trying to evade police.

“The pursuit came to an end in Bedford, in a residential neighborhood, near power lines. Initial reports indicated that the suspect may have a firearm. A Nixle alert was sent out to alert residents to shelter in place in the area of Glen Road. As the situation progressed, we learned that there were some residents out and about in the neighborhood.

“Bedford Police made the decision to deploy the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, a service of the federal government, to alert residents by all means available about the possible danger to avoid the area and shelter in place.

It was the department’s intention for this alert to be broadcast within a half-mile radius of the scene, but we understand that the message went farther into Hillsborough County than we initially intended.

“However, given the exigent nature of this rapidly unfolding emergency, the police department reacted quickly in its attempts to notify citizens about a dangerous situation using the methods at our disposal.

“As soon as the suspect was in custody and the danger had passed, the department issued an ‘all clear’ notice.

“As is the case during all major events, the Bedford Police Department is reviewing all of the facts and circumstances of this incident, including the use of the Nixle and the IPAWS system and any features and settings of the systems that could better specify their range in the future.

“The Bedford Police would like to thank the residents and businesses for their cooperation during this incident. We are grateful, most of all, that no one was injured during the pursuit, standoff or apprehension of the suspect.”

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