Hyannis DCF under police guard after alleged threats from local...

The following UPDATE was received via email from the Department of Health and Human Services –

Statement: “Staff and clients at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services’ Hyannis Office were temporarily diverted to other local offices out of an abundance of caution following an alleged threat. The safety and well-being of our staff and clients is of utmost priority and EOHHS is working with local law enforcement to evaluate and monitor the situation.” – HHS spokesperson

Background:

The Hyannis Office is home to five EOHHS public agencies including the Departments of Children and Families, Transitional Assistance, Mental Health, Developmental Services, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.

HN NOTE: In a brief phone conversation, the HHS spokesperson confirmed that there was no bomb threat.

There is no additional information available at this time.

………………….

Initial HN coverage:

HYANNIS – At about 10:27 a.m. HN began receiving messages from individuals connected to the DCF building at 500 Main Street.

One of the messages said, “A threat against DCF in Hyannis has caused workers to not show up [to] work until further notice. Most workers already in the building have left. Security is in the building. Barnstable police have the identity of the person who is considered a threat and are waiting in the DCF parking lot until further notice… If the threat has not been contained by noon the human service department will be closed for the day. The person/threat has been said to be a possible juvenile in the DCF system and reason for being closed is that the person could not be identified as DCF does not have a photo to give to Barnstable Police… We will be informed Sunday if the person has been detained otherwise building will remain closed till further notice.”

Another person messaged and said she heard the threat may have been a bomb threat… (it was later confirmed that there was, in fact, no bomb threat).

UPDATE: According to another source, the threat may have been a shooting threat relayed over social media… [DEVELOPING]

HN Note: The above communications are from unofficial sources and not all of the details have been officially confirmed and are subject to correction…

HN spoke with Barnstable Police sources and was told the investigation is being handled by the Yarmouth Police Department because the alleged threat originated in their town. At this time, the Barnstable Police are on scene to provide security…

The above HN Photos show the Hyannis DCF offices being guarded by a special Barnstable Police detail… the normally full parking lot was virtually empty today.

HN spoke with Sergeant Thomas Hennessey of the Yarmouth Police Department. He was able to confirm that they were investigating alleged threats made toward the Hyannis DCF. That the threats were made by a juvenile. Sergeant Hennessey was unable to release much more at this point because the investigation was ongoing, and also because it was considered a sensitive case due to the fact the alleged person of interest is a juvenile.

When asked whether the threats were bomb threats, Sergeant Hennessey was unable to confirm or deny… stressing that it was still an ongoing investigation.

No further information at the time of this report…