The Bel Air Police Department said it is working with other police agencies in Harford County after getting word Monday of a post on social media that a demonstration or protest was planned for Thursday in town.
Interim Police Chief Jack Meckley said Tuesday the department got word about 8:30 p.m. Monday of a protest at Bel Air High School at 5 p.m. Thursday. Though police have no way to measure the validity of the report, they say they are taking it seriously enough to make preparations.
"It went from parent to parent to parent, to us," Meckley said.
The social media posts did not directly state the protests would be in response to concerns about the Freddie Gray death in police custody in Baltimore and the ensuing social unrest and rioting over the weekend and Monday and Tuesday.
Meckley said he met with chiefs from other municipal police agencies and the Sheriff's Office Tuesday to plan a response, if there is a protest Thursday, "and how to deal with an incident in case something happens."
"We have worked with all other allied agencies. We have manpower and resources committed and contingency plans should something flare up," he said. "We can't overreact, but we can't not prepare."
On its Facebook page, Bel Air Police Department posted: "The Bel Air Police Department and the Harford County Sheriff's Office are aware of the events planned for Thursday evening, April 30, 2015. If you have, any information regarding specific threats against people or places, please contact police by calling 911. Please do not instant message information to this page or post information here for all to see. Misinformation can create problems and speculation that will not be of benefit to police or public safety. Once again, please contact police by calling 911 or 410-638-4500 if you have relevant information.