Police Say They Weren't Told About Active Shooter Drill In West Town

CHICAGO, IL -- Officers responded to 911 calls of an active shooter in West Town, but upon arrival found out the calls were a drill. The 911 calls were made Wednesday morning. Police were called to a health center on West Superior Street near West Chicago Avenue.

A Chicago police spokesperson said the department wasn't consulted about the drill, according to DNAinfo. The Erie Family Health Center was conducting a staff training exercise. Center representatives said they did contact police and warned them about the drill, but there was miscommunication.

The clinic said it respects and values its relationship with Chicago police, and has successfully conducted similar drills in the past. The center said there was no simulated gunfire in the drill, but as part of the exercise, a trainee phoned police--role playing--and said she'd heard shots fired.

According to DNAinfo, members were heard over a police scanner saying "Wow" and "Man, somebody should get chewed out for that." (For more local news, subscribe to free email news alerts and a daily newsletter for your hometown Patch.)

Chicago police are working with the clinic to decide whether the center should be cited.

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