SAGINAW (WJRT) -
(09/27/12) - The Saginaw Police Department is on guard, over concerns they'll respond to a 911 call, only to be met by gunfire.
This after tips surface about the potential for false calls being planned.
It's tied to retaliation over the recent shooting death of a homeless man by Saginaw officers.
These tips have been coming in ever since July 1, shortly after the controversial death of Milton Hall.
Saginaw police respond to a number of complaints and emergency calls, but Interim Police Chief Brian Lipe is concerned because the police department is getting tips that officers are going to be called to certain locations for a disturbance.
"We are getting information that there may be set ups for officers to get false calls, to a house or a location and once the officers arrive, they will be shot at in retaliation for the Milton Hall incident," Lipe says.
Lipe says there have been at least 20 such warnings since Hall was shot by police officers in the parking lot of the Riverview Plaza, as Hall acted aggressively with a knife. In fact, the last warning police got was for Wednesday night for a possible disturbance at the plaza.
"That there would be, a false call would be made to the Riverview Plaza and once the officers arrive, the officers would be shot at," Lipe says.
That call was never made, but the possibility of violence remains.
"It's the word on the street, there's no one we can seek out to see if there is actually a plan in place or not," he says.
Lipe says officers are being asked to approach locations where a 911 call has been received about a fight or someone with a gun with caution, just one more thing the police have to worry about while they do their jobs.
"Its been stressful, but the officers are doing a very good job, in the meantime, and doing a good job on the road," Lipe adds.
Other police agencies in Saginaw County have been notified about the warnings as well.
