Police Issue Video Response After Call Of Men In Armor, One Possibly With Rifle, Prompts Extra Cop Presence

PASS AREA, CA — Police in both Banning and Beaumont launched extra patrols at all local schools Thursday morning after receiving a "suspicious circumstance" call regarding some people spotted wearing body armor, camo and possibly carrying a rifle, officials tell Patch. Patch began receiving reports of extra police spotted at the schools around 8:30 a.m. (Scroll down for the video response from Beaumont police.)

Banning Police tell Patch the call came into to their agency around 7 a.m. from the area of Highland Springs Avenue and Oak Valley Parkway. A sheriff's helicopter was called in to help search for the people related to the call, but no one was found. Due to Highland Springs' proximity to both Banning and Beaumont police say they patrolled the schools out of an abundance of caution.

"It was reported to us this morning by Beaumont Police Department that two white males dressed in camouflage, white t-shirts, military vests, and one possibly armed with a rifle were observed on Highland Springs Road," Beaumont Unified School District officials said. "They are reportedly driving an older white Toyota Camry."

Here's more from Beaumont police about the call:

The details of the call were unclear; however it was believed that the reporting party had seen two individuals in a car stopped along Highland Springs Avenue, North of Oak Valley Parkway. The caller reported seeing two white male juveniles dressed in body armor, camouflage clothing and possibly in possession of a rifle.

Banning Police Department immediately notified Beaumont Police Department of the suspicious circumstances and out of an abundance of caution Beaumont Police Department requested assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Airship, as well as had police units provide extra patrol at each of the BUSD school sites.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff Department’s Airship checked each of the school sites and officers remained visible at each of the school campuses just as an extra security measure. At no time was there a specific threat or concern in regards to any of the school sites.

The safety and security of our residents and school sites is always the first priority of Beaumont Police Department. We encourage anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious to report it to the police department immediately, by dialing 911 or calling our non-emergency number at 951-769-8500. Information can also be provided anonymously on our website at beaumontpd.org or crimetips@beaumontpd.org.

Beaumont teachers were told to remain in their classrooms Thursday morning and to lock their doors while police patrolled, prompting an unofficial lockdown at some campuses. By 10 a.m., though, the schools were no longer on lockdown.

Some parents picked their students up early, despite the message from school officials.

"We want to reassure you that there are no specific, credible threats to any of our schools," BUSD said in their own statement issued around 10 a.m. "School operations are as normal."

The district says police will continue patrolling the schools the rest of the week "out of an abundance of caution."

Police later shared the following message about the ordeal:

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone