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Police probe alleged visit by Homeland Security agent

Area schools ramp up security after man with holstered gun, federal ID enters school.

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 1:02 AM Thursday, November 12, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown police are continuing to investigate an incident that resulted in security measures being taken in area schools.

At about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Marla Marsh, principal at Mayfield Elementary School on Burbank Avenue, contacted police about a suspicious person with a holstered gun at the school, according to the police report.

Marsh said the man told her he was with Homeland Security and showed a photograph identification. The man asked the principal if Euclid Street was part of her attendance area, Marsh answered “no,” and the man left, she said.

Marsh said the man got into a Chevrolet Malibu with tinted windows and headed north. The man, who had a gun holstered on his side, was described as white and wearing a white T-shirt with blue print on it, jeans and a baseball cap.

Prior to the man’s visit at the school, police received a call from Euclid Court resident Christopher Hall, who said a man came to his home and asked if the recognized a photograph of a Hispanic male with the word “wanted” on the photo. Hall told police the man, who he described as Asian, had a Homeland Security badge around his neck.

Middletown police issued a bulletin to area police agencies to be on the lookout for the individual who visited the area to determine if his business and intent were legitimate.

That bulletin resulted in a lockdown of Edgewood schools and a heightened security measures at Madison, Monroe and Lakota schools.

Middletown police Maj. Mark Hoffman said Wednesday it appears the officers were legitimate. But since one of the men entered a school, “it would have been helpful if they had called to let us know they were in the city,” he said.

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It'S hard TO Believe a Homeland Security Agent would be openly caring a gun in an elementary school. I wonder how closely the id of the agent was examined?

MICHAELKATZ
8:26 PM, 11/19/2009

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This is not as bad as the Valley View lock down. Didn't hear about that one did you? Happened a few years ago when two senior girls older boyfriends came to pick them up from school. Little issue was they were Muslim and it just happened to be a few months after 911. Yeah, thats why you didn't hear about that one. The school was locked down for an hour, and all they did was park out front, waiting to pick up the girls, who were both 18. They could have just, I don't know, asked them.

whatever
6:19 PM, 11/15/2009

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You mean that the Federal Gov did not tell " Barney Fife " they were in town? Probably scared he would put his one bullet in his gun and go lights and sriens to the school

Mr. Law
7:54 AM, 11/15/2009

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Anybody who takes employment with any recognized security agency such as the one I worked for is, if accepted, a member of Homeland Security.
There are fingerprints and mug shots taken.
This does NOT give them any authority to take any action, unless orderd to do so, by Homeland Security, and then as part of a team, not solo, such as this man.

Jerry Dennis Helmig
4:29 PM, 11/13/2009

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If Ms. Marsh was handling the situation when it happened, then it was handled correctly!

I suppose if someone really wanted to know, they could look up homeland security online, and call or email to ask if indeed Homeland Security was in Middletown and visiting one of our local schools.

My grandchildren's school was indeed on lockdown! The children were not told however it was an actual Lock Down, but were given indoor activities for the day.

Kathy
11:41 AM, 11/13/2009

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