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Person called crisis intervention line stating she wanted to harm Brookfield Zoo visitors, herself: police

By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Updated  July 5, 2022 10:08pm CDT
Brookfield
FOX 32 Chicago

Brookfield Zoo put on lockdown after phone threat

Visitors at Brookfield Zoo sheltered in place Tuesday night after the zoo received notice of a 'potential threat.'

BROOKFIELD, Ill. - Visitors at Brookfield Zoo sheltered in place Tuesday night after the zoo received notice of a ‘potential threat.’

At about 5:15 p.m., a call came in to a crisis intervention line stating that an individual wanted to harm zoogoers and herself.

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The call went to the Brookfield Police Department, who responded along with Riverside police.

Authorities then instituted a ‘shelter in place’ order and began clearing the park.

Authorities provide update after 'potential threat' at Brookfield Zoo

Visitors at Brookfield Zoo sheltered in place Tuesday night after the zoo received notice of a ‘potential threat.’

Zoogoers were sheltering in place until about 7:30 p.m.

All zoogoers and staff were able to exit the zoo safely, zoo officials said.

"Our main priority is the safety of our guests, staff, and animals," said Chief Mike Pendola, chief of police for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo. "We regularly conduct training exercises at the zoo with neighboring police jurisdictions. We are extremely grateful for the partnership and incredible collective response we received to this situation. We find comfort in knowing that our well-trained police officers and partners provide for a very safe environment at Brookfield Zoo."