A state office building in Newport went on lockdown Friday morning after a threat was phoned in.
The Emory Hebard State Office Building houses branches of numerous state departments, including the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Newport Police Department notified that a threat was phoned into the DCF office in Newport at about 8:30 a.m.
The caller, who was not identified, reportedly had a set of demands, and threatened to come to the office and “engage in active violence” if the demands were not met, according to a police news release.
The building was put in lockdown and police investigated the premises. In a message posted on Facebook shortly before 10 a.m., the department urged public to stay away from the Main Street property.
About a half an hour later, when police were satisfied that the building was “not in immediate danger,” the lockdown was lifted.
DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz said Friday that the department has been in touch with law enforcement on the matter. He said that members of the department “appreciate the quick response,” and directed further inquiries to law enforcement.